Author Topic: Could someone explain SPS vs BDL vs CDL vs VLS etc. (Read 2338 times)

teddy12b · « **on:** November 28, 2007, 03:44:41 PM »

Are the only difference in these models comsetic? I understand the SPS took the place of the ADL as the least expensive model, but will they shoot as well as the more expensive CDL or other rifles?

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2007, 04:10:39 PM »

You tell me. This is a 3 shot group at 300 yards with my SPS 243 Varmint. It measures 7/8''. Dale .

teddy12b · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2007, 04:53:49 PM »

Very nice group in that picture, but it's also a varmint model and those are supposed to be more accurate than the average. If they had the Varmint model in 30-06 I'd have one on order if it could shoot like yours. Years ago I bought a BDL and I was told it was in the middle of the road as far as remington quality goes, nothing fancy and nothing crummy either. A lot of things have changed in their lineup since then and I'm just trying to get a feel for how they all stack up now. Does your SPS Varmint have their new trigger?

Foggy · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2007, 05:15:46 PM »

I'am not saying this is Gospel. But (that darn but) I heard that it had to do with barrel specs. ADL being the lowest than Bdl then Varmint the 40X. the ADL has a Blind Magazine and the rest have hinged floor plates. and that crossed to differant models 760 742 different ect Quaility of wood came into play to. As for all the new model don't know don't care I have 2 700 classics one 257Roberts 1 35Whelen If its Remington it good

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2007, 05:25:38 PM »

Quote from: teddy12b on November 28, 2007, 04:53:49 PM

Very nice group in that picture, but it's also a varmint model and those are supposed to be more accurate than the average. If they had the Varmint model in 30-06 I'd have one on order if it could shoot like yours. Years ago I bought a BDL and I was told it was in the middle of the road as far as remington quality goes, nothing fancy and nothing crummy either. A lot of things have changed in their lineup since then and I'm just trying to get a feel for how they all stack up now. Does your SPS Varmint have their new trigger?

Yes my SPS has the new trigger. It has no creep at all and breaks like glass. The only thing is the weight of pull needs brought down. It is a little heavy for my taste. Dale

teddy12b · « **Reply #5 on:** November 28, 2007, 05:33:16 PM »

Another thing that confuses my simple mind. You brought up the ADL's having blind magazines and I remember that, but the SPS models looks to have hinged floor plates or detachable magazines. So what's the difference between an SPS and a BDL other than some cosmetic differences.

Those SPS Varmint models have a good feel to them too. I held one tonight and a sporting goods store and I never knew it had the extra sling stud on it before then either.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #6 on:** November 28, 2007, 05:38:35 PM »

I do believe but not positive that the SPS and the BDL are one in the same. I don't think they make the BDL anymore either. The SPS does have the floor plate. Dale

teddy12b · « **Reply #7 on:** November 28, 2007, 05:54:25 PM »

Dale,
Did the barrel on your rifle come free floated? As I was holding the one tonight I kept wondering about that.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #8 on:** November 29, 2007, 02:27:00 AM »

No it is not free floated and to be honest the forearm has a little movement to it. I will most likely swap out stocks at some point. Dale

beemanbeme · « **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2007, 04:14:52 AM »

The difference between the ADL and the BDL was purely cosmetic: finish, and blueing, and wood and a blind magazine on the ADL. With the BDL being the better grade.
I BELIEVE the ADL and BDL have been discontinued with the CDL replacing the BDL --no more bowling ball finish. The CDL is more along the lines of the Classic which sold so well or the Euro stock that many people special ordered. I bought a CDL --7-08-- a couple of weeks ago and it has a nice oil finish with a decent piece of wood. Trigger wasn't bad for out of the box, nice and crisp but still too stout for my taste. It did not have a J lock altho that had never bothered me one way or another. And it seemed that the folks making it hadn't heard about the loss of quality and workmanship at Remington as it was a nice looking piece. I took it apart for a good cleaning and general inspection and mounted a scope on it that had been centered and adjusted the trigger to 3# which I like for a hunting rifle. I usually start my sighting-in at 25 yards but when I looked thru the bore and the scope, it appeared to be on the paper at 100 so I thought "what the heck". I fired 3 rounds of generic 7-08 ammo I had for a rifle that is down in Texas. They formed a tidy cluster about 2" high and 2" right of the bull. In other words, had I been shooting at a deer, it would have been dead.

teddy12b · « **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2007, 05:18:31 AM »

Sounds like you have a great rifle too. Have you tested different ammo in your rifle to see what shoots the best in it yet? As far as adjusting your trigger, did you adjust the trigger that came on the gun from the factory?

Sounds to me like all the other rifle makers are trying to get something setup like the Savage Accu-trigger. I don't blame them because the savage trigger is great. I've been a Savage guy for years now, but maybe I'll take a harder look at the remingtons. I'd like to get a 30-06 with a heavy barrel, something along the lines of a varmint looking rifle but in 30-06.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #11 on:** November 29, 2007, 06:37:37 AM »

I am not aware of any 30-06 Remington 700 out there with a Varmint heavy barrel. Dale

beemanbeme · « **Reply #12 on:** November 29, 2007, 10:28:47 AM »

I reload.
No, I've always been pleased with the Remington trigger. It is obligatory that it be adjusted and if you're not familar with a Remington trigger, its best done by a smith that is but I've never had any problems.
What will you use a heavy barreled '06 for?

teddy12b · « **Reply #13 on:** November 29, 2007, 11:23:13 AM »

There's a range near by that goes out to 1000 yards. I really want to start practicing there at extended ranges and see what I am capable of. I want to be able to know my effective hunting range and then try to hit targets further out for giggles and bragging rights. A heavy barrel is usually better for long days at the range and I like a rifle that's got a little weight to it. I reload for 30-06 and I'd like to get a rifle that I can practice with a lot and not get too beat up by recoil. The 6 or 7 pound guns are fine, but they just don't feel as solid to be as a heavier rifle. Don't get me wrong I'm not looking for a stick of lead to carry around either but something in the middle.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #14 on:** November 30, 2007, 06:37:31 AM »

FWIW, I found if I shot it regularly, I could soon accustom myself to shooting 100 rounds of 30-06 ammo a day without special padding and such. It does take working up to tho.
I've never tried it, time and opportunities lacking, but I've always thought that siloquete (spl) would be a interesting game to get into. 550 yards, all offhand.
I agree with Dale, a heavy barrel on a 30-06 is probably gonna be a re-barrel situation.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #15 on:** November 30, 2007, 06:48:58 AM »

The SPS does come in a 308 Varmint barrel though. All you would have to do is invest in a new set of dies.

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 30, 2007, 09:32:31 AM »

I know this is the Remington forum, but Savage used to make a heavy barrel 30-06. I don't think that they do now, but if you could find one, it solves the problem of having a rifle re-barreled.

teddy12b · « **Reply #17 on:** November 30, 2007, 05:01:47 PM »

I'm only looking at Remington's because I can't seem to find exactly what I want in a Savage. In the 2005 catalog Savage had a 110FP 30-06 heavy barrel under the law enforcement guns that would be exactly what I'd want to buy. I just missed the boat by a couple years.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #18 on:** November 30, 2007, 05:58:50 PM »

The way I understand it the ADL, BDL, CDL , Varmint, and SPS are all different models and the barrel weights, stocks and other options are what make the model. Think pick up in the F250 there are many grades depending on use. You can mix and match after market or order from the custom shop.
I have a Varmint in 308 with a 3-9X50 Leupold scope that I have sighted in to 200 yards. It has a fancy wood stock and bright blued metal. Do not look for really tight groups at 200 yards but 3/4" or less off the bench are not uncommon with factory soft points. My rifle comes in at 9 pounds with the scope and sling. I used it two years ago in Montana to take my first Mule Deer he was just under 300 yards away. I find the rifle to be fine in the field and not bad to tote around for the day in the hills. The only problem I have with it is horse back hunting. The 50mm scope does not fit in most rifle scabbards.
The second 700 is an SPS in .223 with a 6-24X42 Weaver Scope. It has a dull black tactical finish and a heavy black fiberglass stock and weighs in a little over 12 pounds with the sling. A little heavy to walk around with all day, but perfect for varmint hunting or predator calling.
If you really want to shoot far the .308 with it's short case is more accurate and according to the Speer book you can load the 165 grain Soft point boat tails faster than the same projectile in the 06 case. The 30-06 works better with the heavier bullets and if your looking to shoot far you are going to want to stay in the 165 grain or less where the .308 shines and Remington makes a couple of great rifles in the weights you would like.

Mr. Joe · « **Reply #19 on:** January 29, 2008, 06:25:34 PM »

Called around on this one for ya. The only difference is the dressings. Same gun.