Remington 700 ADL vs. BDL vs. CDL: Which is Best?

The Remington 700 is a classic, dependable rifle available in three major types. Unfortunately, many shooters don’t know how to choose between Remington 700 ADL vs. BDL vs. CDL.

The 700 ADL is a budget-friendly rifle model no longer in active production. The BDL offers a different magazine for a slightly higher price, while the CDL offers superior construction quality for an even higher cost. Each rifle could suit your needs.

In this article, we’ll break down the differences between the Remington 700 ADL, BDL, and CDL. We’ll also explore which rifle is best for which shooter or hunter. Let’s begin!

The Remington 700 ADL, or “Average Deluxe,” is one of the standard, original 700 models. It was produced until 2005, and until that time, the ADL was one of the most budget-friendly field rifles that provided quality to sportsmen without breaking the bank.

Remington 700 ADL For Sale

Remington 700 ADL Information

Even to this day, the Remington 700 ADL provides a lot of value, including a decent quality Walnut stock (or choices between laminate and synthetic stocks). It features a blind magazine, sling studs, and even drills and traps for users to install scope mounts right out of the box.

The receiver of the 700 ADL is machined from a solid steel bar to offer uniformity and strength in equal measure. All in all, it’s a great affordable sports rifle.

The Remington 700 BDL, or “Better Deluxe,” was another early 700 model. While it includes the exact same action as the ADL, it has a hinged magazine – this enables sportsmen to unload the rifle from underneath.

Remington 700 BDL For Sale

Remington 700 BDL Information

For the upgrade to the 700 BDL, Remington included many improvements and new features. For example, the Walnut stock was designed to be more rigid and have fancier art. It also included a variety of quality-of-life or bonus additions, like a recoil buffer, a front sight hood, and a fore-end cap.

All in all, the intended audience for the Remington 700 BDL is a more experienced shooter with a little more cash to spare (and the matching desire for higher quality).

Last up is the Remington 700 CDL or “Classic Deluxe.”

This top-of-the-line, higher-value rifle may not seem that different compared to the 700 BDL, as it features the same Walnut stock and front sight hood as its predecessor, as well as the classic 700 action.

However, the 700 CDL includes many further improvements that make it a top choice for riflemen for whom price is no object.

Remington 700 CDL For Sale

Remington 700 CDL Information

The Remington 700 CDL includes a satin finish for the Walnut stock. More importantly, the barrel is fluted and constructed from stainless steel: a much more durable and high-performance material.

These improvements, alongside the 700 CDL’s other benefits, necessarily warrant a higher asking price.

As a result, the Remington 700 CDL has long been seen as the overall best and most expensive pick out of this line of rifles.

The Remington 700 ADL, BDL, and CDL might all be variations of the same core rifle, and they take the same ammunition types, like 300 Winchester. However, their many differences may make one firearm better for your unique needs and price limitations than another.

Stock Differences

First up, there are several different stock options and differences. The Remington 700 BDL and CDL have higher-grade Walnut stocks compared to the standard Remington 700 ADL in terms of quality and aesthetic value (the latter two rifles have special designs ingrained in the stocks).

Furthermore, the 700 CDL has a higher-grade satin finish for the stock, resulting in an overall longer lasting and better-looking rifle from head to toe or end to end. On the flip side, lots of shooters preferred the Monte Carlo-style high-gloss finish found on the 700 BDL, so your mileage may vary on this point.

Keep in mind that you can choose a lighter, more forgiving synthetic stock for each of these rifle types.

Magazine Differences

Up next are major magazine changes. This is arguably the biggest difference or determining factor between each rifle type.

The Remington 700 ADL has a blind magazine. It has to be loaded and unloaded from the top of the weapon. The 700 BDL and CDL, meanwhile, both use hinged magazines. Thus, they can be unloaded from underneath. This also means that the Remington 700 BDL and CDL can be fitted with detachable box magazines if you are into aftermarket modifications to your firearms.

Which should you choose? That depends on your preferences. Most will prefer the hinged magazines from the BDL and CDL, but not everyone – if you prefer the blind magazine, your only option is the 700 ADL.

Price Differences

Of course, you can’t forget the price differences. The ADL is no longer in production, so any Remington 700 of this model you purchase will be secondhand by default. However, you can still usually get it for fairly cheap, like quality Remington 270 rifles.

The Remington 700 BDL is the midrange rifle of this set. You can typically find it for around $1000 in new condition. The 700 CDL is the most expensive. You can expect to pay anywhere between $1200 and $1400 for a new condition rifle of this variety.

All in all, when comparing the Remington 700 ADL vs. BDL vs. CDL, remember to consider price and magazine type above all other factors. How your preferences fall in these categories will determine which of the rifles is best suited for your needs.

For instance, if you are looking for a budget-minded top-loading rifle, the Remington 700 ADL is a no-brainer. But if price is no object and you want the best of the best, you’ll be better off going with the Remington 700 CDL.