THE Remington 700

Guns Magazine, Annual, 2001 by Clair Rees

The Limited Edition Model 700 Classic Rifle came along in 1981, launching a Remington tradition. That first Classic Rifle was chambered for the 7x57mm Mauser and there's been a new cartridge featured every subsequent year. In 2000, the Classic digests .223 Rem. loads, and yes, the rifle wears a classic stock.

Other milestones include the 1987 introduction of the Model 700 RS, which was offered in your choice of a camouflaged or gray synthetic Rynite stock. Two years later, Rynite was replaced by a lighter fiberglass further into synthetic stocks with stock. In 1992, the company moved new fiberglass-reinforced and Kevlar-graphite handles.

Also in 1992, Remington unveiled the Model 700 Camo Synthetic. This rifle featured a full-camouflage covering, applied via the wet-film process. I immediately acquired one in .30-'06 chambering. It's one of the Model 700s I still have in my safe. It's a good thing I acted quickly. The M700 Camo Synthetic didn't sell well and was soon discontinued.

Intended for deer-sized and larger game at extended range, the Model 700 Sendero appeared in 1994. The Sendero features a 26" varmint barrel (of either carbon or fluted stainless steel) in a Kevlar-reinforced stock fitted with a full-length aluminum bedding block. Sendero rifles are offered in .25-06, .270, 7mm Rem. Mag., 7mm STW, .300 Win. Mag., .300 Wthby., .300 Rem. Ultra Mag. and .338 Rem. Ultra Mag. chamberings.

The 700 Revolution

Introduced in 2000, the Model 700 EtronX represents a real departure from tradition. The new electronic rifle takes lock time to a whole different level. Its revolutionary -- I don't use the term lightly -- design features a wholly non-mechanical ignition system. Except for the trigger, there are no moving parts. Instead of releasing a mechanical sear to set the firing pin in motion, pressing the trigger activates an electronic microswitch. This completes a circuit, sending an electric charge to instantaneously ignite the ammo's special EtronX primer.

Combined with the ultra-short lock time, which virtually eliminates barrel movement after the trigger is pulled, the electronic trigger gives Model 700 EtronX rifles unheard of accuracy potential. The EtronX trigger has 36 percent less travel than standard Model 700 triggers and features a very crisp letoff. Triggers are currently factory set to release at 3 1/2 lbs., but there's no practical reason pull weight couldn't be safely reduced to a mere handful of ounces. A 6 or 8 oz. trigger would be a varmint-hunter's dream.

The Model 700 EtronX rifle is currently chambered for .22-250 Rem., .220 Swift and .243 Win, cartridges, which are available factory-loaded from Remington. Except for their EtronX primers, the cartridges are identical to standard factory loads. EtronX primers are available as components, allowing handloaders to roll their own, using the same data employed for their favorite loads.

Incidentally, the EtronX rifle offers a unique safety system. While the two-position manual safety remains in its familiar location at the right rear of the tang, it doesn't mechanically lock the trigger. Instead, it prevents firing by blocking the electronic circuit. There's also a key-operated switch at the base of the pistol grip. Unless this switch is in the "on" position, the rifle can't be fired.