I just did a bunch of research when it comes to serial numbers and Barrel codes concerning the Remington 700.

I have a SUPER CLEAN Remington Model 700 Mountain Rifle chambered in .280 Remington. It doesn’t have 50 rounds on it. I will post a picture bellow of the “C” Prefix serial number and barrel code.

Best I can tell. It was manufactured in March of 1990.i could be wrong but that is the reason for my post. What’s throwing me off is the double “K” code on the barrel after the “A” month of manufacture (March).


Now my next dilemma. I have entertained the idea of running a .280 AI reamer into it. Pillar , bedding and free footing it.

Then again part of me screams “Don’t do that to a super clean, all factory .280 Mountain Rifle”.

If the assembly code is AK, that would be 03/90. KK is probably a double strike.

I would certainly try it out "as is" to see how it performs, before I would consider making any changes to it!

100% What if it shoots one ragged hole groups at 100 yards, why would you mess with it?

My .260 Rem Mountain shoots much better bedded and free floated. If that .280 was mine I’d shoot it as is and if it wasn’t satisfactory I’d float it with some business cards to see if it improved. If that helped I’d float and bed it but that’s as far as I’d go. Those old Remington Mountain Rifles are a favorite of mine.

Don’t screw with the rifle please! You won’t find any big game animal that will know that it was smacked by a righteously loaded 280 v one with wider steeper shoulders. I’ve had both and still have the 280 SAAMI.

Don’t do that to a super clean, all factory .280 Mountain Rifle...

^^^This^^^

And I’d see how it shoots first before I bedded the action or floated the barrel.

Forget the AI part for sure.

If you don't like the way it shoots just sell it as the original 280

I'm in the "Don't dick with it" camp.

Just because a bunch of experts on the internet think you need to devalue your rifle by customizing it doesn't mean you have to. Shoot it if it doesn't shoot as well as you like. Sell it. A nice one like that probably bring 1200+ maybe alot more on gun broker..mb

I had one. It was wonderful as is. Gave it to oldest son. He turned around and sold it for pennies on the dollar. Will do anything you want it to.

Or you could sell it to me.

I'd check the torque on the bottom screws & see how she shoots first. Beautiful rifle you have there. I had one when they first came out in 7x57 caliber but sold it when I got into collecting the 700 Classics. Probably the best shooting & handling 700 I've ever owned. Good luck on your decision.

I have the same rifle and it shoots really well. I wouldn’t modify it.

Thanks I just bought a very minty 1968 vintage BDL in 7mm Rem Magnum. It's the same year I bought my BDL in 270 that I hunted with for forty years and gave to my youngest son. I plan to have my gunsmith put a Decelerator Pad on it, remove the iron sights, put a Leupold 3.5-10x50mm scope I just bought on it with Talley rings and have him adjust the trigger to 2 3/4 lbs. My hope is that my son wants to trade my 270 back which I will do in a minute lol! If not this will definitely work for me.

Returning to the original Remington date of manufacture question and correct answer provided. With a caveat applicable to all Rem barrels with "relevant" nomenclature. The possibility of a barrel swap. Evident where the barrel is obviously non-original. Not necessarily such where a factory marked barrel is installed on a Remington receiver 'not of origin'.

While instances of such are less likely today, there remain a quantity of Rem rifles reflecting incorrect factory build code dates! The rule emerged, where evidence is in apparent contradiction of the code shown, less likely the "rare factory variation" of hype, than of a simple era barrel swap. My 'belief' that a Factory re-barrel did not code any replacement work and of course, any factory barrels installed elsewhere the same result! This latter bit of factory non-code info, is only my belief.
And now that you're sufficiently confused...

Happy New Year!
John

What the hell was that?

I think the this vintage 700 has a lower height rear receiver ring than newer ones. Check into this.

Yeah don't do that, leave it! I can't see the pic very well, but it looks like a 1990, I'd have to see the numbers and where they are clearly, but could simply be the double K is for May of 1990 too.

That's not a 1968 unless someone put a newer stock on it, I'd have to see the barrel numbers for the year. Remington started putting that stock on the BDL's in the mid 70s and ran through at least the 90s.

Well, I guess it really depends on what you want to get out of the rifle as to whether you change it or leave it stock.

I've had a couple of MR's both in 280, still have one that I've done some work to & restocked into a B&C Mountain stock (w/o the current bedding block) & cerrokoted with the bolt fluted & lightened. If I could ever find a KS stock, I'd drop it in that as that is my favorite stock design.

I don't think that they are really anything special as they come..............some features I like, some not so much, compared to what they could have done. Like opening the grip more & slimmer, ala KS, & putting fleur de lis checkering, & skeletonizing the bolt handle.

Here are some pics of mine below & some 3 shot group targets during load development, FYI. As it sits, with scope & Tally lightweights, it weighs 6 lb, 10 oz.

I'd be willing to bet it would bring far more than the original would if I cared to sell it.

I've found in doing a few of these lightweight Remington's like this & the Ti versions, that they shoot best with the action properly bedded with the barrel floated; then in a secondary bedding, I added a neutral / no real pressure, pad near the end of the stock..............but I will usually shoot it as floated 1st in case I get lucky; if so, I'm done, if not, I go to step 2 above. Floated does not always work with these barrels. But many stock guns come with too much barrel pressure.

As to AI'ing it, MEH, kinda personal preference. The brass being available makes life easier if you go that route, but at a cost. Personally, I don't think the gain is worth it.............but it makes a great round either way.

MM

Damn nice rifle MM. My Mountain DM still sits in the original stock, but I've had it bedded and a trigger dropped in. It loves the 150 BT, 154 Interlock SP & RN, and the 160 TBT to name a few.

That looks awesome! I'd hunt that!

I am new to the ‘Fire but i too have a .280 Rem Mtn rifle…… this is my second one actually. I was an idiot and sold the 1st one to a good bud……
He is smarter than i am and will not sell it back!
It shot great just the way it was.
Fast forward 20 years and i stumbled on another one that shoots even better! I briefly considered running a .280 AI reamer into its chamber, but i didn’t and am glad for that.
FWIW- i would leave it be and go shoot it as is…..
It may shoot just fine.
I’ve had 2 other Rem 700 Mtn rifles as well….
A .30-06 and a .243. All 4 were sub min rifles
with good handloads. My current .280 will routinely do much better. Congratulations! I hope it serves you well! My only gripe was the trigger, but a Timney solved that.

He put it up for sale in the classifieds.

MM

If it was me I’d put the walnut stock in a safe place and find a lightweight aftermarket stock.

Well….that settles that….

Correct. Rem 700 stocks in the late 60's had pressed Fluer-de-lis checkering

I had one of each, I sold the 280 Rem, and kept the Kimber AI. Accuracy is phenomenal with my most recent 300 yard grouping under a dime. Its a gem to carry and its been great on elk.

I would not make and AI out of it. I have one like it and its great. Keep it as it is. If you want to make an AI, find a Tikka 7mm-08 and rechamber it. For $300 in smith work you will have a lighter, well built, great shooting 280ai and a minty Mountain Rifle in a Standard .280