Gunner Quinn
Remington Arms Co., Inc., is among the world’s foremost designers and producers of bolt-action center-fire sporting rifles. The earliest Remington rifle of this type was introduced during the late 1800’s, but the first really successful one was the Model 30 which was brought on the market in 1921 and produced in several versions. In 1941, the Model 30 series rifles were superseded by the Model 720 which was short lived because of World War II.
The first Remington bolt-action centerfire rifle after the war was the Model 721. followed shortly by a short-action companion, the Model 722. These highly successful rifles were introduced in 1948. Like the Models 30 and 720, they had several basic Mauser features such as dual-opposed forward locking lugs and a staggered-column box magazine, but were engineered for easier production. A deluxe version of the Model 721, designated Model 725, was brought on the market in 1958.
In 1962, the Models 721, 722, and 725 were replaced by the Remington Model 700 rifle which is essentially an improved version of the Models 721 and 722. An improved Model 700 was introduced in 1974.
The Model 700 is offered in a wide range of popular chamberings from .17 Remington through .458 Winchester Magnum. It is produced in two action lengths, right- and left-hand versions, and several grades. The short-action version is of proper length for short and medium cartridges from the .17 Remington through .308 Winchester, while the version with a longer action is adapted to cartridges of .30-’06 length and slightly longer.
Two basic grades of this rifle are the ADL Deluxe and BDL Custom Deluxe. Both feature a one-piece American walnut stock with pistol grip, cheekpiece, Monte Carlo comb, checkering on the grip and fore-end, and RK-W gloss finish. The BDL Custom Deluxe grade rifle has cut checkering rather than impressed type of the ADL grade, and a black plastic buttplate, grip cap, and fore-end tip set off by white-line spacers. It also features a hinged magazine floorplate with release in the trigger guard, a detachable front sight cover, quickdetachable sling swivels, and a leather sling.
The lower-priced ADL grade rifle lacks the refinements of the BDL Custom Deluxe grade, and has a blind-box magazine. There is no floorplate, and the magazine spring bears against the wood floor of the mortise in the stock. Three guard screws are provided. The front one is inserted through a metal bushing inletted in the stock, and the others extend through holes in the trigger guard.
Model 700 rifles in these two grades have a 22″ or 24″ barrel, depending on caliber, and are fitted with a ramp-mounted gold bead front sight and fully adjustable open rear sight. The receiver is drilled and tapped for top telescope sight mounts as well as an aperture receiver sight.
A BDL Varmint Special grade of this rifle is offered in popular varmint chamberings from .22-250 Remington through .243 Winchester. Its receiver and 24″ heavy barrel are fitted with dovetail-type target scope mount bases, and iron sights are not provided.
There is also a Custom Model 700C with 20″, 22″, or 24″ barrel, with or without hinged magazine floorplate, and various other options. The selected American walnut stock of this grade is hand checkered, and the rifle is available on special order only.
All grades of the Model 700 feature an exceptionally smooth-working action. The bolt head is counterbored deeply to enclose the rear of the cartridge, and the cylindrical front end of the bolt fits a ring-shaped recess in the barrel closely. This construction in conjunction with dual-opposed front locking lugs and properly heat-treated alloy steel gives great strength.
Action improvements in the 1974 version are an anti-bind feature to give smoother bolt operation, better bolt handle shape, and a stainless steel magazine follower.
The swept-back bolt handle of pleasing appearance is close to the trigger and shaped to clear a low-mounted telescope sight. The thumb-operated safety on the right rear side of the action is also designed for low mounting of a scope. Firing pin travel is short which gives fast lock time.
Of single-stage design, the trigger mechanism is adjustable for weight of pull and overtravel. Screws for making the adjustments are accessible after removing the stock.
Cartridge feed from the staggered-column box magazine is smooth and reliable. Unlike many bolt-action rifles, the extractor is horseshoe shaped and contained in the counterbored bolt head. This eliminates any receiver cuts for the extractor. The ejector is a spring-loaded plunger in the bolt head. The Model 700 is a well-balanced, handsome rifle with excellent handling qualities. Because of its availability in a wide range of calibers and both right- and left-hand versions, it is among the most versatile bolt-action hunting rifles on the market.
Disassembly
1. Before disassembly, check rifle to be sure that it is unloaded. Push safety (34) forward to fire position, unlock bolt (2), and pull it rearward to bolt stop (4). Press bolt stop release (6) upward, and withdraw bolt assembly from rifle.
2. Hook firing pin head (18) on sharp corner of bench (or clamp in vise jaws), and pull bolt in direction shown until coin can be inserted in small slot on firing pin head. In earlier design where slot in firing pin head was omitted, coin may be inserted in space between bolt plug (3) and firing pin head.
Hold bolt handle, and unscrew bolt plug to remove firing pin assembly from bolt. Place a metal sleeve (3/8″ diameter, 7/8″ long, with 3/16″ hole through it lengthwise) over front of firing pin, and screw bolt plug back into bolt until coin is released. Drive out firing pin cross pin (17) with close-fitting drift punch, and remove firing pin head. Unscrew bolt plug carefully as it is under force of mainspring (27). Remove bolt plug and mainspring from firing pin.
3. Drive out ejector pin (11), and remove ejector (10) and ejector spring (12) from front of bolt.
4. Unscrew takedown screw (43), and front and rear guard screws (19) and (28). Remove trigger guard (49), stock (42), magazine (23), magazine spring (25), and follower (24).
5. Drive out bolt stop pin (5), and remove bolt stop and bolt stop spring (7). Drive out sear pin (40), and remove trigger housing assembly unit, sear safety cam (39), and sear spring (41). Weight of trigger pull is adjustable by turning trigger adjusting screw (46) clockwise for a heavier pull, and counterclockwise for a lighter one. Overtravel can be reduced by turning trigger stop screw (53) clockwise until firing pin will not release when trigger is pulled. While keeping pressure on trigger, trigger stop screw is backed off until firing pin falls. Trigger stop screw is then backed off 1/16 turn.
6. Reassemble in reverse. When reassembling firing mechanism, place metal sleeve over front of firing pin, reassemble mainspring and bolt plug on firing pin, and screw bolt plug into bolt. Then, replace firing pin head and firing pin cross pin on firing pin. While unscrewing bolt plug, insert coin between bolt plug and firing pin head, complete unscrewing plug, and remove metal sleeve. Screw firing pin assembly into bolt until front of firing pin head matches small cocking notch on rear edge of bolt. Remove coin to allow firing pin head to snap into cocking notch. With safety in forward (fire) position, replace assembled bolt in rifle.
Firing pin must be cocked to replace bolt in rifle. If firing pin is uncocked, clamp firing pin head in vise, and rotate bolt handle upward until front of firing pin head engages cocking notch on bolt.
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