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The Latest on Remington's Model 700 in .257 Weatherby

July 3, 2008.

(Updated July 4 to include info on the recently-discovered SPS model)

I'm still getting lots of hits from people searching for information on the 2008 rifles that Remington has chambered, for the first time ever, in .257 Weatherby. So, I thought I'd share the latest info available on this exciting offering.

The rifles were manufactured in May and hit dealers' shelves in early June. They're not easy to find, but there are several available if you know where to look and are willing to purchase online.

Remington's 2008 catalog lists two different configurations of the Model 700 bolt action rifle chambered for this cartridge. However, there are actually 4 models available.

The Model 700 LSS Limited Edition. The LSS includes a black laminate stock, a 26-inch stainless barrel, and stainless action. The Remington order number for this model is 84099. These have been going for about $800.

Catalog picture of the LSS in .257 Weatherby

The Model 700 CDL SF. This "Stainless Fluted" CDL model includes a walnut stock and a gorgeous stainless steel, fluted 26" barrel, similar to last year's .264 Winchester Magnum offering. The Remington order number for this model is 84019. These have been going for about $900.

Stock photo of the 700 CDL SF

The Model 700 CDL Fluted. This is very similar to the CDL SF, but with a blued barrel and action. The barrel, like the CDL SF, is fluted. This blued model, for some reason, is not in the 2008 catalog and seems to be very hard to find. The Remington order number for this model is 85397. These have also been going for about $900.

A shipping label from the un-catalogued
blued Remington 700 CDL in .257 Weatherby

Stock photo of a blued CDL (does not include the
fluted barrel that the .257 Wby comes with)

The Model 700 SPS. Another un-cataloged option, this appears to consist of the stainless action and barrel from the LSS dropped in to Remington's black synthetic SPS stock. These have been going for about $650, and are extremely hard to find.

Stock photo of Remington's SPS model

The rifles are not easy to find, but they are out there. I would be very surprised to find one in my local gun shop, but you can find them online. Go to Gunbroker.com or GunsAmerica.com and search on "remington 257". There are several out there, but the supply is limited and the demand is high. I wouldn't wait too long to buy.

Remington's website has more info on the LSS and CDL SF .

My 257

I like laminate stocks and stainless barrels, both for aesthetic and practical reasons, so the LSS immediately caught my attention.

Another factor that swayed me towards the LSS was the potential weight savings. The CDL SF and LSS are listed at the same weight coming out of the factory, but the CDLs have a fluted barrel and the LSS does not. Fluting the barrel of the LSS offers potential to get that model down to a more tolerable weight for toting around The West.

Remington's marketing literature calls the LSS "extremely lightweight" and goes on to suggest that it is made for "wilderness or high-country pack-in hunts that involve rigorous hiking." With a weight of 7 pounds, 10 ounces, this is a fairly chunky rifle and the "lightweight" claim is essentially ridiculous.

Add a scope that is appropriate for the long-range potential of the cartridge, and the weight continues to climb.

I'm pretty much obsessed with a desire to not carry around heavy rifles, so I had Rich Reilly of High Tech Customs flute my barrel in order to reduce weight. The barrel is a full-on, velocity-maximizing 26 inches, with a fat contour and a skinny quarter-inch bore. The factory barrel alone comes to just shy of a whopping 4 pounds.

I didn't have the foresight to weigh the gun before and after fluting, but based on my calculations of the various components, fluting seemed to reduce overall weight of the rifle by 5 ounces. Not a lot, but with a gun that inherently heavy, it sure helps.

With customization complete, my .257 comes in at 8 pounds, 7 ounces. That includes 14.5 ounces for the scope, 3 ounces for Talley lightweight one-piece rings, and any additional weight that the epoxy bedding added.

My other scoped rifles weigh in at 7 pounds, 2 ounces (my .300 Win Mag) and 7 pounds, 4 ounces (my 7mm-08), so the .257 will not be the one I reach for when heading out for "wilderness or high-country pack-in hunts that involve rigorous hiking."

But it should be an awesome rifle for open country antelope and mule deer hunting when I know I'll be back at the truck after nightfall.

Now I just need to get to the range to see how it likes 115 grain Triple-Shocks.

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