Used Remington 700: What to Check Before You Buy
June 18, 2026
The used Remington 700 is back in the conversation for a simple reason: buyers still trust the platform. GunBroker’s May rankings put the Remington 700 at the top of used bolt-action rifles, after the Model 700 Mountain also surged earlier this year. That demand does not mean every listing is equal. It means the best examples move fast, and the rough ones need careful inspection.
A Remington 700 is a two-lug, turn-bolt centerfire rifle family with decades of hunting, range, and precision-shooting history. The appeal is broad. A buyer can find plain ADL hunting rifles, classic BDL and CDL models, stainless field rifles, tactical SPS variants, and heavier long-range setups. Start your research with the GunGenius bolt-action rifles category, then compare current and past Remington options by chambering and intended use.
Why Used Model 700 Demand Is Strong
The used market likes rifles with a known action footprint, wide parts support, and clear hunting utility. The Model 700 checks all three boxes. Remington’s current Model 700 page also shows how many new-production variants still share the same family identity, from classic walnut rifles to modern synthetic-stock configurations.
That continuity matters when you are comparing old and new listings. A used rifle may have a strong action, a familiar safety layout, and a stock or trigger that can be documented. It may also have decades of unknown use. The job is to separate a sound hunting rifle from a project that only looks attractive in photos.
Used Remington 700 Buyer Checklist
- Confirm the exact model. ADL, BDL, CDL, SPS, Mountain, Police, and Long Range versions can differ in stock, barrel contour, magazine style, sights, and finish.
- Match the chambering to the job. A .308 Win. field rifle, a .30-06 hunting rifle, and a 6.5 Creedmoor target setup may all be Model 700s, but they solve different problems.
- Ask for clear photos of the barrel stamp, receiver, crown, bolt face, stock inletting, and scope-base holes. Blurry photos hide expensive details.
- Check trigger history. Older rifles may have recall or service questions, and any altered trigger should be reviewed by a qualified gunsmith before use.
- Look for signs of hard use. Rust under the stock line, buggered screws, chipped crown edges, pitted bolt faces, and mismatched finishes are all worth pausing over.
- Verify magazine configuration. A blind magazine, hinged floorplate, or detachable box setup changes how the rifle handles and how easy it is to unload.
- Price the rifle against similar completed listings, not just active asking prices. Asking price shows hope. Sold price shows the market.
- Budget for optics, rings, bases, sling, possible bedding work, and a professional inspection. The cheapest rifle is not always the lowest-cost rifle.
How to Match the Rifle to Your Use Case
The best used Remington 700 is the one with a clear job. Deer stands and field trucks favor manageable weight, weather resistance, and simple sling mounting. Bench use rewards a steadier barrel contour and a stock that tracks cleanly on bags. Traditional walnut rifles shift the decision toward finish condition, originality, and whether the rifle still has its factory parts.
| Variant Type | Best Fit | What to Check | Research Path |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADL or SPS hunting rifle | General deer, range, and field use | Stock fit, bore condition, drilled-and-tapped receiver, trigger history | Remington 700 SPS .308 Win. |
| BDL or CDL | Classic hunting rifle buyers | Wood condition, blueing, floorplate function, original parts | Compare Remington listings |
| Mountain or lightweight model | Long walks, hill country, and compact hunting setups | Barrel heat, thin-stock pressure points, overall weight | Compare bolt-action rifles |
| Heavy barrel or tactical model | Bench, range, varmint, or precision research | Threading, bedding, scope rail, round count clues | Compare barrel contour and chambering |
Condition Details That Matter Most
Photos rarely tell the whole story. Ask the seller whether the rifle has been bedded, rebarreled, recrowned, refinished, or modified. None of those changes are automatically bad. The issue is documentation. A clean gunsmith invoice is different from a mystery modification with tool marks around every screw.
Pay close attention to the bore and crown. The bore should look consistent, with no obvious pitting or damaged rifling in the photos. The crown should be even. Crown damage can hurt practical accuracy, and repair adds cost. Also check whether the bolt serial markings match the receiver if the seller provides that detail.
Trigger questions deserve care. The Model 700 family has a long production history, and some older rifles have specific service or recall considerations. Do not rely on forum guesses. Ask for the serial number range, trigger photos, and any service paperwork. If there is doubt, make professional inspection part of the purchase plan.
Caliber and Barrel Choices
Chambering should follow the use case. For lighter recoil and varmint work, a .243 Win. or .223 Rem. Model 700 can make sense. For all-around hunting research, many buyers compare .308 Win. and .30-06 Sprg. rifles first. Range-focused buyers often consider 6.5 Creedmoor because it offers mild recoil and strong factory-load support. Magnum chamberings can be useful, but they also bring more recoil, ammunition cost, and barrel-wear questions.
Barrel length and contour change the feel. A 24-inch sporter can balance well for hunting. A 26-inch heavy barrel may sit better on bags, but it is less pleasant to carry all day. Stainless steel can help in wet conditions. Matte blue and walnut can still be excellent if the rifle was stored well and maintained.
Price Research and Listing Red Flags
A strong listing answers questions before you ask them. Look for the full model name, chambering, barrel length, condition notes, included accessories, and clear transfer terms. Good sellers show both sides of the rifle, close-ups of the receiver, and the muzzle. They also describe blemishes directly.
- Be careful with listings that say “custom” but do not name the gunsmith or parts.
- Discount missing bolt photos, vague round counts, and unclear scope descriptions.
- Treat aftermarket trigger work as a reason for inspection, not as automatic added value.
- Compare total cost after shipping, transfer fees, taxes, and any required repairs.
What Not to Overvalue
Do not pay extra only because a rifle has an expensive-looking scope. Used optics can be hard to value without box details, serial numbers, and clear glass photos. Be cautious with unknown muzzle devices, painted stocks, or vague claims about accuracy. A seller who says a rifle is a “tack driver” should be able to explain the load, distance, group size, and shooting conditions. Also remember that a rifle built for another owner’s body, optic height, and hunting style may still need changes before it fits you well.
A Practical Research Workflow
First, decide on the job: hunting, range practice, collection, or precision project. Second, choose two or three acceptable chamberings. Third, compare current GunGenius product pages, recent GunBroker listings, and completed sale examples. Fourth, contact the seller with specific questions about the bore, trigger, stock, and included parts.
A used rifle should be judged as a complete system: action, barrel, stock, trigger, optics mounting, condition, and paperwork.
The used Remington 700 remains popular because it is familiar, flexible, and easy to research. That popularity is helpful, but it can also make average rifles look better than they are. Slow down, compare exact variants, and make inspection part of the budget. The right example can be a practical long-term rifle. The wrong one can become an expensive lesson.