*EDIT* The Z year could be 2005 OR 1975 OR 1931 so this 700 was built in 1975, now the flat trigger & iron sight holes on the side make sense
NOW are the old ones inherently any better than newer ones? I have 2 700 30-06s, this one plus one bought new in 2006. The one bought new does have some sentimental value (shot my 1st buck with it and it was a gift from my wife) BUT even if I rebarrel it I still have "that gun" so that's not holding me back. They both shoot minute of deer very well and surely I can work up a handload for either one to get 1moa, fine for a hunting rifle.
Here are the things that stand out to me as notably different between the two barreled actions.
The 2006 model has a nice clean parkerized finish, no iron sight holes in the barrel. It has had maybe 150rds through it if that. The bolt is parkerized (I think, it's matte black) and just doesn't feel smooth when cycling. Maybe it's just not broken in.
The 1975 model has a slightly beat-up gloss blued finish, and it has iron sights. I have no idea of it's previous life. Cycling the bolt is a pleasure, very smooth.
1 of these is destined for an M24 barrel and blueprint job, which would you choose? Shall I keep the newer, better looking one for the hunting rifle (since the rebarreled one will be cerakoted anyway)? Or shall I keep the smoother cycling one for the hunting rifle
Any and all opinions are welcome!
Thanks
Grant
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I got to looking a little closer at a 700 I took in on trade and am left scratching my head now. It's a 30-06, blued finish, jeweled bolt (with the necked-down bolt handle if that helps anything). It came to me in ADL trim, wood stock with checkering. It has a flat-backed old-style trigger
The date code on the barrel is WZ which would be 2005 manufacture.
What caught my eye today is that the receiver is drilled & tapped for iron sights on the side, with screws in the holes (looks factory).
I got to looking further and realized the serial number has 7 digits with no prefix.
My other 30-06 700 has a G prefix (it was made in 2006).
What do I have here? Perhaps an older receiver that was rebarrelled with a newer takeoff barrel?
Thanks!
Grant
NOW are the old ones inherently any better than newer ones? I have 2 700 30-06s, this one plus one bought new in 2006. The one bought new does have some sentimental value (shot my 1st buck with it and it was a gift from my wife) BUT even if I rebarrel it I still have "that gun" so that's not holding me back. They both shoot minute of deer very well and surely I can work up a handload for either one to get 1moa, fine for a hunting rifle.
Here are the things that stand out to me as notably different between the two barreled actions.
The 2006 model has a nice clean parkerized finish, no iron sight holes in the barrel. It has had maybe 150rds through it if that. The bolt is parkerized (I think, it's matte black) and just doesn't feel smooth when cycling. Maybe it's just not broken in.
The 1975 model has a slightly beat-up gloss blued finish, and it has iron sights. I have no idea of it's previous life. Cycling the bolt is a pleasure, very smooth.
1 of these is destined for an M24 barrel and blueprint job, which would you choose? Shall I keep the newer, better looking one for the hunting rifle (since the rebarreled one will be cerakoted anyway)? Or shall I keep the smoother cycling one for the hunting rifle
Any and all opinions are welcome!
Thanks
Grant
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I got to looking a little closer at a 700 I took in on trade and am left scratching my head now. It's a 30-06, blued finish, jeweled bolt (with the necked-down bolt handle if that helps anything). It came to me in ADL trim, wood stock with checkering. It has a flat-backed old-style trigger
The date code on the barrel is WZ which would be 2005 manufacture.
What caught my eye today is that the receiver is drilled & tapped for iron sights on the side, with screws in the holes (looks factory).
I got to looking further and realized the serial number has 7 digits with no prefix.
My other 30-06 700 has a G prefix (it was made in 2006).
What do I have here? Perhaps an older receiver that was rebarrelled with a newer takeoff barrel?
Thanks!
Grant
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