What can you tell me about my pawnshop find?

[Heavyiron]

You bought a $700 fire breathing dragon (22" barrel in a magnum) that is gonna kick like a mule (light and 300 win don't go together).

LOL

Steve

The muzzle blast will be rough. Years ago i had a browning a-bolt with a 24 inch barrel. The whole thing weighed with scope and fully loaded 7 1/2 pounds. It had been lightened by its former owner somewhat. I am not especially recoil sensitive but the thing kicked like a mule with 180 grain partitions and a full dose of h4831 sc. If i ever get another 300 winnie it will have a 26 inch barrel and weigh fully loaded close to a minimum of 9 lbs.

 

[SealT5]

Looking up manufacturing dates how I know it looks like The action serial number dates the rifle to 2007. And the bolt appears to be aftermarket. But who knows really

So I talked to Mark Bansner and he told me my rifle is 30+ years old and was built by a guy named Richard Scott, who owned High Tech Specialties before him.
As soon as it cools off a little I'll shoot it and see how I did.

 

[emtyhopper]

Looking up manufacturing dates how I know it looks like The action serial number dates the rifle to 2007. And the bolt appears to be aftermarket. But who knows really

Huh
What about the bolt makes you think it's aftermarket? I guess I will look into the serial number date.

 

[emtyhopper]

From what I'm seeing from a quick search, the numbers on the barrel are used to figure out the date of manufacture. But if you are going by the "B" as the first letter in the serial number on the action, it looks like it could have been made in 1981 or 2007. 1981 would probably be right according to Mr. Bansner.

Am I missing something?

 

[SealT5]

Possibly. Components look newer than 1980. Second my dad and father in law both have R700 rifles they bought in the 70s and 80s. Specifically my fathers was purchased his senior year in HS in 1982. Both have a checkered bolt knob. Not trying to call mr bansner a liar or ruffle your feathers. I'm just an enthusiast with an opinion.

The bolt handle is a flag for me. Never seen a factory rifle with that handle. Another thing is I can't recall ever seeing a factory stainless rifle from that era. Doesn't mean they aren't out there just something else I'm using to form an opinion.

 

[emtyhopper]

I kinda forgot about this thread. I did get around to weighing the bolt, but I dont really know what would be considered light.

I worked up an accurate load with H4350 and 180 gr hornady interbonds at 3025 fps. The recoil is pretty stout, but I haven't had too much of an issue with it.

I've put roughly 100 rounds through it and used it to kill a big whitetail doe and a coyote last year. Its quickly becoming one of my favorite rifles.

 

[LoneTraveler]

Who ever done this rifle, I like his philosophy for lighting. Between the metal machined off around the receiver, The milling the bolt body. That bolt handle has the shape of the factory handle, but has been cut down and removed all checkering and lost a few grains of weight. Looks like the bolt handle shaft has lost some mass near the bolt knob.
I want a light bolt handle on light rifles, If the bolt is not in exact battery, In the heat of the hunt, If the bolt torques to line up on the firing pin falling, A light rifle may move off the point of aim, With a large heavy bolt handle.
The barrel looks a little heavier and with that front site may make it a little muzzle heavy and a more steady in a quick off hand shot.

Your load sounds good for that short barrel. IMR 4350 and 180 gr. bullets in my 24" barreled 300 WSM load at a little over 3000 fps.
It will save you a lot of Pound Miles on a long walking Elk hunt too.
You may have you a keeper in that rifle.

 

[25WSM]

Remington put that bolt handle on the euro 700. I have one and it looks much better than the checkered bolt. Came in a super high gloss better than any Remington I've ever worked on.
I will never get rid of mine. I've only ever seen one.
Shep

 

[26Reload]

Looks like a really old bolt handle to me....looks like it was Parkerized...which they were doing a long time ago....way before cerakote and others of today....
But the narrow handle looks really narrow compared to today's.....

 

[emtyhopper]

Looks like a really old bolt handle to me....looks like it was Parkerized...which they were doing a long time ago....way before cerakote and others of today....
But the narrow handle looks really narrow compared to today's.....

The bolt does kinda look parkerized in that picture, but it is stainless. Bad lighting I guess.

 

[25WSM]

I think what you guys think is stainless is actually a plating like nickle or robar or some type. Look at the color of it compared to the barrel. I could be wrong of course. But a magnet test will tell. Put a magnet on the barrel and then the action and see if the action sticks way harder.
Shep

 

[25WSM]

If I remember right Remington started making stainless actions in 1992. This gun is from the 80s. Remington did however have stainless barrels on the first 7mags.

Shep

 

[6.5-300 BEE]

Put a can on it to save your ears and retinas. Were it mine, I'd load it down to 308 levels and enjoy it

 

[25WSM]

That's cause your a geezer. Put the smack down you bought a magnum for a reason.
Shep