Remington 600/660 barrel question
I'd like to find a Rem. 600 in .246 or 6mm for my son's first whitetail rifle. I had one many years ago w/ a vent rib. Can you tell me why so many rifles listed on GB have a plain barrel? [?]
0
-
The model 660 and the Mohawk model didn't have the rib, only the 600's. I think the 660's are nicer myself. Keep looking. Eventually you'll find the one you want. I have one in 6mm and love it. Good luck!
"Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away." Thoreau0 -
Hi Hoss,
I think you mean a .243 Winchester instead of .246.
The Model 600 had the ventilated rib but was only made from circa 1965 through 1968 before it was discontinued. The 600 Mohawk and the later Model 660s don't have the vented ribs. You have to be certain what model you are looking at for the vent rib. Usually on the auction sites, the Model 600s are listed together with the Mohawk 600s.
As an irony, the Model 600 was so unpopular during the 1960's that Remington dropped manufacture of these rifles after two only three years of production. Today, they are considered collector's items and draw higher premiums for rifles in excellent condition. It is not unusual for original NIB or excellent condition Model 600s to sell for $800.00 to $1,000.00 on the online auctions. Used rifles in 80% condition can be anywhere in the $450.00 to $550.00 price range but can draw more that this if somebody really wants one.
Here is a little history from one of my previous posts:
The Remington Model 600 was controversial because it was way ahead of its time. For one thing the rifle was truely compact measuring only 37.25 inches from end to end. These rifles weighed in between 5.5 to 6.5 pounds. Additionally and probably most important, they were chambered for two newly designed rounds - the 6.5 and 350 Remington Magnum.
What was so unique about these two rounds (these rifles were also chambered in 222, 223, 243, 6mm, 308, and 35 Remington) was they were made short and fat to fit a potent cartridge into a short action carbine, viola, the Model 600. These two cartridges were designed specifically for the Model 600s short action and is what this rifle was all about. The Model 600 in 350 was advertised by Remington as "the most powerful package, pound for pound, of any carbine on the market today." That was in 1965 long before any of the short magnums, ultra short magnums, and super short magnums were ever concieved. Remington discontinued the Model 600 in 1968.
As you might imagine, the 350 in this light and short of rifle was not for the recoil timid and many sportsmen did not care for this trait. I have shot a Model 660 in 308 which is a decendent of the 600 and it is nasty and powerful and one of the most vicious venom spitting rifles I have witnessed. Perhaps even worse than several of the heavier caliber rifles I have fired.
Both the 350 and 6.5 Remington magnums died in a few short years for various reasons. The 600 was unconventional looking for its time and this is thought to have contributed to its demise. Another reason for their death is thought to be the unpopularity of the .35 and 6mm calibers by Americans. For some reason, these calibers have never been very popular in the US especially when considering the 358 Winchester and the 264 Winchester.
Also the shooting public was not ready for a short magnum in the mid to late 60s. If Remington had introduced these cartridges and rifle today there is a good chance that they would be a huge marketing success with its trend toward lightweight rifles and short magnums calibers. Remington jumped the gun (no pun intended) and misjudged the market by about 40 years.
This is the reason I said the Model 600 was controversial. The Model 600 with the 350 and 6.5 mm magnums attracted a cult-like following but it wasn't enough keep the rifle or the 350/6.5 magnums alive. Personally, I love the looks of these great rifles and greatly respect the ratio of power to its size. You really have to see one of these rifles touched off in a large caliber to appreciate it. I am on the lookout for a good used one and someday I will find the Model 600 I am looking for.
The Model 600s that were produced in 223 are the real collectors items because so few were made. However, the 223 rifles are not good shooters because the twist rate of the rifling was wrong. This really didn't contribute to the 600s demise though because the 223s are so rare, probably the few people who have them will ever shoot them due to their value.
Regards,
Heavyiron
"If I don't see you nomore on this world, I'll meet you on the next one, and don't be late!" - Jimi Hendrix0 -
I have to disagree with your statements about recoil, at least in the two 660's I have owned. Both 350 magnums. I find the recoil relatively light.
I liked the first one so much that after I lost it, I spent four years looking for the right replacement.
My other rifles include a .308 Norma mag, a 458 Win mag and a 45/70.
The Model 600 .308 should be a good first rifle, easy to carry, light recoil' and very good looking to boot.
For a close approximation, you might look at a Model 7 Rem. No rib, but a good, light to carry rifle.
The Remington Guide gun, Model 670, I think, more closely approximates the 6oo. However I think it comes only in Magnum Calibers.
Now I need to find that 6.5 that kept tempting me at gun shows when I was searching for the .350.
It ain't what you shoot, it's what you hit.0 -
I have to disagree about the 660's not having a vent rib. I personally owned a 660 deluxe, and it did indeed hyave a vent rib barrel, along with a walnut stock with a black fore-end tip and black pistol grip stock. 0 -
hoss32b you would be better off with a model 7 instead of a model 600. The dogleg bolt is kind of a pain. Also the trigger guard is almost always warped, unless you buy one with a new aluminum trigger guard. The model 7 is a nice short rifle, shoots well, and comes in a wide array of good deer calibers. Also, the Rem 673, not 670 Guide rifle wouldn't be too bad either. They have the vent rib, which would be useless for a 243, unless you plan on leaving it ironsighted. Other than that, they are just a model 7 with a 2" longer barrel and a different kind of laminated stock. The 673, by the way comes in .243, 6.5 Rem Mag, .308, .300 RSUM, and .350 Rem Mag. 0 -
hoss,I have a Rem. 600 in 222Rem Mag.,if interested,my email is rreeves46@hotmail.com 0 -
I didn't know they made it in .222 Rem. Mag.
BW
IT'S WHAT PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THEMSELVES THAT MAKES THEM AFRAID.0 -
They didn't make a 222 Mag in any 600 or 660 rifles, nor did they make a "Deluxe" model 660 with a rib. If anyone has a 660 with a rib I would love to see actual pictures of it! 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
8 comments