I just bought an older Rem. 700 in a .222 Rem. The top of the rear bridge has a square cut-out on the front of it. I have never seen that on a Rem. M700. What the heck is it there for? What is it's purpose?

Daryl

DarylD,

Believe it or don't that slot is either for a stripper clip or long for magazine cartridges. Some shooters in various shooting sports find it faster to use the stripper system for reloads. Look at the older Win. MDL.70 Pre-64's to see an example of a cut out for long for receiver cartridges.

Bill

Hi, Daryl:
My old 700 in .222 doesn't have the slot. It's a 1972, s/n#161XXXX. However, Frank de Haas' book, Bolt Action Rifles, 3rd Edition, has a top view of a 722 action with the slot on page 350. Perhaps the first 700s, circa 1964, had the slot?

Bye
Jack

Your old 700 must be a real early one. I've seen two long action 700's like that. They also had the square safety lever knob and the short bolt shroud(like a 721/722).Supposedly 1962 Model 700 production was like this.

My understand is that the slot which is present in the 721,722,and early 700s was actually a locator for the receiver during manufacture. Later the fixture was changed making the slot unnecessary. On my pre-war M70s the slot is actually shaped to accept the stripper clip whereas the Rem is not.
As I said this is my understanding but the possibility exists that i maybe wrong! Regards, Bill.

Thanks guys for the info.
The gun is definately a M700. The action looks like a new 700, only it has the slot. I bought the gun unseen from a friend who I have bought many guns. I was disapointed when I got the gun and seen that it has a slot, for I had plans to build a good looking little varmiter.(Will beat friend later) I am hoping that what Bill Leeper says is true because maby this 700 action will be square this time. I have yet to shoot the rifle but I did have it recrowned. If it shoots real well I might keep it as it is. But with the slot in it, it won't do for a custom rifle.(Don't like the looks of it)

Jack M,
What part of Sask. are you from?

Daryl

Daryl, I've owned a couple 722's and I think most scope bases cover the slot. They are a good rifle. I wish I'd kept mine.I had a 244 Rem and a 257 Rbts.A shooting buddy had one in 222 also.

[This message has been edited by rembo (edited 11-03-2001).]

Hi, Daryl:
I'm at Balcarres, halfway between Regina & Yorkton. A Redfield base will cover 99% of the slot. I don't know why I thought the 700 came out in 1964 instead of 1962. I saw my first 700 and my first 7mm RM (same gun) at Eddie Mather's shop in Saskatoon. It could have been in 1962.

Bye
Jack

JackM,
Balcarres.. anyways!

I have been there a few times. I was raised north of Regina and Regina area. Kruszelnicki, does that name ring a bell. Old friends of mine.

How is the whitetail hunting your way have been lately? I am heading down to Regina on Nov. 20th to hunt. They closed my old stomping grounds(pipestone valley)to Canadian residents. Got to find a new spot.
I am looking forward to the trip and making my hunting partners life hell for 2 weeks.
I do know they take some big deer in your area.

Take care,

Daryl