I need help evaluating an old M700 BDL in 22-250 that I have in my possession. I’m considering buying this rifle from a friend. I do not plan to compete with it only to hunt and shoot some paper. I believe it is an old because it has a 6 digit serial number that begins with a 2. It has a 24†heavy factory bbl that is floating. My main concern is the life left in the tube. There are no sights on gun, only Unertl mounts, so to take it the range and shooting it will require more effort. I realize that may have to do that in the end. I do handload and I will want it to shoot a least 3/4 MOA.

From the photo you can see small indents on the bolt face, to me this is sign that the gun as been shot a lot. That is why I’m asking is there a way to eval the barrel and its condition?

Thanks a bunch,

Not only shot a lot but hot loaded as well.

I'd leave it alone.

Looks like the bolt face is cut from many blown primers.
You might look in the muzzle at the rifling to eyeball the height and sharpness of the lands. Then do the same at the chamber end. You would need the barreled action out of the stock to get your eye as close as possible. If the lands are noticably flattened at the throat you might pass on it. You can also run several tight dry synthetic patches (Hoppes will do) through it too. If it is eroded at the chamber end you will be able to feel it. The metal will feel sand blasted in the bore.

Considering that you can buy a brand new 700 (action or complete rifle) for under $400 bucks the asking price would have to be pretty low to make it worth your while.

As good as they are (I own a bunch) 700’s are really easy to come by and should never command high prices unless they are something really special.

Well the asking price is $400. I've been hunting one for while, I guess I'll keep on looking. I wasn't too keen on carrying the heavy bbl to hunt yotes with anyway. The bbl measures about 7/8" at the muzzle.

Ireload- thanks for the "how to do it" I will do that just for the education if nothing else.

Here's a pic of the action?? someone at the gunshow said these older 700 actions like this, ones with the two screws on the left side (marked with V in pic) and the short bushing on the rear on the bolt are very similar to the 40X actions and are worth more $ than the later ones, truth or fiction ??

All the early 700’s were drilled and tapped for a Lyman receiver sight (the two holes on the side) and they also all came with the short shroud, so none of those feature makes this one unique.

If you do decide to get it I would seriously consider replacing the bolt because of the deep pitting around the firing pin hole. And the ejector looks pretty beat up also.

If the bolt face looks that bad what does the bore look like?

Bottom line, the rifle has been shot allot and not cared for real well, and is gonna need some work and only you can decide if you like it enough to spend the additional bucks to get it into shape. That $400.00 will be turning into a grand or more really quick.

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That $400.00 will be turning into a grand or more really quick.

I've never seen a bolt look like that. It's been badly eroded by gas and I wouldn't buy that gun for $100, let alone $400.

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Originally posted by vapodog:

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That $400.00 will be turning into a grand or more really quick.

I've never seen a bolt look like that. It's been badly eroded by gas and I wouldn't buy that gun for $100, let alone $400.

I’ve seen em that bad, and even worse, but I have never seen one that looked like that on a rifle with a decent bore.

Remington 700 actions and rifles ain’t all that scarce or expensive to be spending $400 bucks for one that is gonna need so much work to get it up and running.

I have a 22-250 just like the one you are looking at. If you decide to pass on it let me know. I would be interested in it myself. This rifle was probably made in the late sixties. If it has had a lot of rounds through it the throat may very well be in bad shape, but that will hold true for any 22-250, it wouldn't matter if it was made in the 90's.