Remington Model 700
A bolt-action rifle series serving hunters, police, and military since 1962.
The Remington Model 700 is a line of bolt-action centerfire rifles that Remington Arms has been making since 1962. It evolved from the Remington Model 721 and Model 722 rifles, which first appeared in 1948. The design also serves as the foundation for the U.S. Army’s M24 and the U.S. Marine Corps’ M40 sniper rifles.
After World War II, Remington engineer Merle "Mike" Walker created cheaper alternatives to the Model 30, leading to the Model 721. These rifles used a cylindrical receiver made from bar stock that could be turned on a lathe, cutting production costs compared to earlier milling methods. Small metal parts were stamped, and stocks were finished to a lower standard. Walker then refined the design into the Model 722, 725, and finally the Model 700 in 1962. He focused on accuracy by using tight chamber and bore tolerances, a short leade, and a fast lock time. Like the Model 721, the 700 was built for mass production. Remington initially offered two versions, the ADL and BDL, in both long-action and short-action to handle different cartridges.
In 1969, Remington added upgrades: a longer rear bolt shroud, a jeweled bolt, and better stock finishing. Left-handed versions appeared in 1973 to compete with the Savage Model 110. Over the years, many variants followed, including the titanium-receiver 700 Ti, the 700 SPS (which replaced the ADL in 2005), and the CDL. The rifle also became the basis for military and police sniper rifles, starting with the M40 in 1966 for the Marine Corps. The Army adopted the M24 Sniper Weapon System in 1986.
The Model 700 is a manually operated bolt-action with two forward dual-opposed locking lugs. The bolt face is recessed and fully encloses the cartridge base. A C-clip extractor sits inside the bolt face, and a coil-spring plunger acts as the ejector. The bolt is three pieces—head, body, and handle—brazed together. The receiver is milled from round steel. The symmetrical two-lug bolt body has a .695-inch diameter. The long-action handles cartridges up to 3.340 inches overall (like .30-06 Springfield and magnums such as 7mm Remington Magnum and .300 Winchester Magnum) with a lock time of 3.0 to 3.2 milliseconds. The short-action takes cartridges up to 2.750 inches (like .308 Winchester/7.62×51mm NATO) with a lock time of 2.6 milliseconds.
Quick Facts
- Designer
- Mike Walker
- Length
- 41.5 in
- Action
- Bolt action, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
- Origin
- United States
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Wars
- Lebanese Civil War / Nicaraguan Revolution
- Manufacturer
- Remington Arms
- Production Date
- 1962–present
- Weight
- 8.99 lb
- Part Length
- 16.5 · to · 26 · in
- Feed
- 3- to 6-round internal magazine or a detachable 10-round magazine
- Sights
- Scope, Rail interface system
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
After World War II, Remington engineer Merle 'Mike' Walker designed lower-cost alternatives to the Model 30, resulting in the Model 721. These used a cylindrical receiver produced from bar stock turned on a lathe, reducing production costs. Small metal parts were stamped, and stocks were finished to a lower standard. Further development under Walker led to the Model 722, 725, and ultimately the Model 700 in 1962. Walker sought to increase accuracy through tight tolerances, a short leade, and faster lock time. Remington initially produced two variants, the ADL and BDL, in both long-action and short-action rifles.
In 1969, upgrades included a more extended rear bolt shroud, a jeweled bolt, and improved stock finishing. Left-handed versions began production in 1973. Various versions followed, including the titanium receiver 700 Ti, the 700 SPS (replacing the ADL in 2005), and the CDL. The Model 700 provided the basis for military and police sniper rifles, starting with the M40 in 1966 for the U.S. Marine Corps, and the U.S. Army's M24 Sniper Weapon System in 1986. The rifle features a recessed bolt face, a C-clip extractor, and a plunger ejector. The receiver is milled from round cross-section steel. Magazine configurations include a blind magazine, a conventional magazine with a detachable floor-plate, and a detachable box magazine.
Reader's Guide
The Remington Model 700's significance lies in its widespread adoption across civilian, law enforcement, and military markets. Its design, derived from cost-reduction efforts after World War II, became a standard platform for accuracy and customization. The rifle's action footprint supports numerous third-party and aftermarket variants. The Model 700 directly influenced the development of the U.S. Marine Corps M40 and U.S. Army M24 sniper rifles, which remain in service. The 700P series, marketed to law enforcement, was influenced by the M24 and M40 designs, featuring heavier barrels and aluminum block bedding. The rifle's legacy includes a controversial trigger mechanism defect, with thousands of customer complaints reported to Remington from 2013 through 2016. Despite this, the Model 700 remains a foundational design in bolt-action rifles, with variants like the compact Model Seven and the electronic-primer EtronX (a commercial failure) demonstrating its adaptability.
Did You Know?
- The Remington Model 700 is a progressive variant of the Model 721 and Model 722 series introduced in 1948.
- The U.S. Marine Corps adopted the M40 sniper rifle based on the Model 700 in 1966.
- The Model 700 has a lock time of 2.6 milliseconds in short-action and 3.0 to 3.2 milliseconds in long-action.
- From 1984 to 1988, Remington offered the Sportsman 78 with the same Model 700 ADL action but lower-cost features.
More in Bolt-Action Rifles, Part 5 1-24
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