would you buy this rifle?

mdd · November 7, 2011, 03:32 PM

A neighbor of mine has a very nice remington 700 bdl 25-06 w/ a redfield 3-9x40 scope. He asked me to zero the scope for him last year & I was happy to oblige him. It is an older combo that I would guess to be mid 80's to early 90's production. When i began shooting, I quickly found out this rifle is beyond accurate. It's ridiculously precise. I put three rounds into the same hole at 100 yards w/ it.
Getting around to the point, let's fast forward a year. He stopped me on the road the other day & mentioned he'd like to sell the rifle. I indicated I would be interested in it & he priced it at $600. I know my ruger m77 values but not sure on this remington. What do you think? Only thing about it I don't like is that it has a ported barrel. It's loud as hell but it sure shoots straight.

50 shooter · November 7, 2011, 03:39 PM

Why don't you offer him $500 cash and see if he'll take it, a quick look on GB shows the same rifle new for that price. The optics aren't that much more, so it's your decision.

upstate81 · November 7, 2011, 03:53 PM

+1 on the 500. 450 is where I'd be. Otoh does it come with ammo?

emcon5 · November 7, 2011, 04:21 PM

I think it is probably worth $600. Older Remingtons seem to have better fit and finish than newer ones, and BDLs cost a little more than ADLs.

New ones on Gunbroker look to go for ~$650, without glass, and this one is a known good shooter.

I would offer him $500, but be prepared to go up.

jmr40 · November 7, 2011, 04:24 PM

With a rifle of unknown quality that would be too much. But knowing the rifles capabilities I would pay more than usual. Wouldn't hurt to try to get him down a little.

tobnpr · November 7, 2011, 05:13 PM

^^^X2^^^

A factory 700, one hole rifle at 100 yards is an aberration.
You didn't mention handloads, so if the rifle is driving tacks like that with factory ammo, it's well worth the asking price.

Joe the Redneck · November 7, 2011, 05:17 PM

I would offer $500. If he can't do it, say you need to see if you can borrow a little from you rother, boss, Santa Claus, whomever. Than pay him what he askes.

Bottom line is don't let it get away.

Picher · November 7, 2011, 05:41 PM

Pay the man and take that fabulous rifle!!!

mdd · November 8, 2011, 12:01 AM

I was shooting reloads through it but they weren't anything specially tuned for the rifle. Its apparently just a shooter.
My qualms with this scenario are few but significant. First of all I hate the ported barrel. Secondly I love the 25-06 cartridge & because of that I already own two rifles chambered for it. Not sure about adding a third. Finally, it is wood & blued which makes it a beauty but at the same time will make me hesitant to use it. Say what you will but it is important to me to keep my rifles in very nice condition. I don't like seeing them beat up regardless of the stories that accompany the wear.
Despite all this, I'll most likely buy it because I can & because I know how well it shoots.

ipscchef · November 8, 2011, 02:44 AM

Offer the man $500, but like the other posters have said just get the damn gun. Although I have to disagree with the poster who said the gun is an "abberation", I have seen many 700's that shoot like surgical instruments, having one more is always a good thing. If not, let me know who this guy is!! I can always use one more proven rifle.

CPTMurdoc30 · November 8, 2011, 07:05 AM

I have shot a few 25-06 rifles and all of them shot like you say this one did. I LOVE THE 25-06. I think it is one of these best deer cartridges out there for the Lower 48. I know that myself I would have fell over and then figured out a way to get the $600 and take that wonderful rifle off his hands.

50 shooter · November 8, 2011, 10:54 AM

I have to agree that the 700 is a shooter, I had one of the VSSF 700's in .308 and with Fed. match it shot sub MOA. A friend had the same rifle, put one of the ultimate target stocks on it and that rifle would shoot 1/4" or less groups w/o any problems. That was using Fed. ammo also, so I would imagine that hand loaded stuff would only make it better.

November 7, 2011, 03:32 PM	#1
mdd Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Posts: 626	would you buy this rifle? A neighbor of mine has a very nice remington 700 bdl 25-06 w/ a redfield 3-9x40 scope. He asked me to zero the scope for him last year & I was happy to oblige him. It is an older combo that I would guess to be mid 80's to early 90's production. When i began shooting, I quickly found out this rifle is beyond accurate. It's ridiculously precise. I put three rounds into the same hole at 100 yards w/ it. Getting around to the point, let's fast forward a year. He stopped me on the road the other day & mentioned he'd like to sell the rifle. I indicated I would be interested in it & he priced it at $600. I know my ruger m77 values but not sure on this remington. What do you think? Only thing about it I don't like is that it has a ported barrel. It's loud as hell but it sure shoots straight. __________________ So many coyotes....so little time....

November 7, 2011, 03:39 PM	#2
50 shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SoCal PRK Posts: 986	Why don't you offer him $500 cash and see if he'll take it, a quick look on GB shows the same rifle new for that price. The optics aren't that much more, so it's your decision. __________________ I see the world thru bloodshot eyes Streets filled with blood from distant lies The dogs of war never compromise, No time for rearranging.

November 8, 2011, 12:01 AM	#9
mdd Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Posts: 626	I was shooting reloads through it but they weren't anything specially tuned for the rifle. Its apparently just a shooter. My qualms with this scenario are few but significant. First of all I hate the ported barrel. Secondly I love the 25-06 cartridge & because of that I already own two rifles chambered for it. Not sure about adding a third. Finally, it is wood & blued which makes it a beauty but at the same time will make me hesitant to use it. Say what you will but it is important to me to keep my rifles in very nice condition. I don't like seeing them beat up regardless of the stories that accompany the wear. Despite all this, I'll most likely buy it because I can & because I know how well it shoots. __________________ So many coyotes....so little time....

November 8, 2011, 02:44 AM	#10
ipscchef Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2008 Location: South Central Pa. Posts: 427	Pay the Man!! Offer the man $500, but like the other posters have said just get the damn gun. Although I have to disagree with the poster who said the gun is an "abberation", I have seen many 700's that shoot like surgical instruments, having one more is always a good thing. If not, let me know who this guy is!! I can always use one more proven rifle. __________________ Don' keep shooting them until you think they are dead, Keep shooting them until they think they are dead.- Clint Smith

November 8, 2011, 07:05 AM	#11
CPTMurdoc30 Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2008 Location: Stafford VA Posts: 969	I have shot a few 25-06 rifles and all of them shot like you say this one did. I LOVE THE 25-06. I think it is one of these best deer cartridges out there for the Lower 48. I know that myself I would have fell over and then figured out a way to get the $600 and take that wonderful rifle off his hands. __________________ Solving Virginia's Ground Hog problems 50gr at a time.....

November 7, 2011, 03:53 PM	#3
upstate81 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2011 Location: NY Posts: 801	+1 on the 500. 450 is where I'd be. Otoh does it come with ammo?

November 7, 2011, 04:21 PM	#4
emcon5 Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 1999 Location: High Desert NV Posts: 2,850	I think it is probably worth $600. Older Remingtons seem to have better fit and finish than newer ones, and BDLs cost a little more than ADLs. New ones on Gunbroker look to go for ~$650, without glass, and this one is a known good shooter. I would offer him $500, but be prepared to go up.

November 7, 2011, 04:24 PM	#5
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	With a rifle of unknown quality that would be too much. But knowing the rifles capabilities I would pay more than usual. Wouldn't hurt to try to get him down a little.

November 7, 2011, 05:13 PM	#6
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	^^^X2^^^ A factory 700, one hole rifle at 100 yards is an aberration. You didn't mention handloads, so if the rifle is driving tacks like that with factory ammo, it's well worth the asking price.

November 7, 2011, 05:17 PM	#7
Joe the Redneck Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 1998 Location: New port richey FL us Posts: 473	I would offer $500. If he can't do it, say you need to see if you can borrow a little from you rother, boss, Santa Claus, whomever. Than pay him what he askes. Bottom line is don't let it get away.

November 7, 2011, 05:41 PM	#8
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,694	Pay the man and take that fabulous rifle!!!

November 8, 2011, 10:54 AM	#12
50 shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SoCal PRK Posts: 986	I have to agree that the 700 is a shooter, I had one of the VSSF 700's in .308 and with Fed. match it shot sub MOA. A friend had the same rifle, put one of the ultimate target stocks on it and that rifle would shoot 1/4" or less groups w/o any problems. That was using Fed. ammo also, so I would imagine that hand loaded stuff would only make it better. __________________ I see the world thru bloodshot eyes Streets filled with blood from distant lies The dogs of war never compromise, No time for rearranging.