I've never owned a Classic, but they are beautiful. In 300 H&H it is a double classic. 1983 is the vintage of that rifle.
I found a press release - via a Google search cache - that gives a little history on the Classic. Couldn't get back to it on Remington's site to give you a reliable link. Here's the cut, copy, paste version.
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March 31, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2005 Classic Chambered in 308 Win to be
Final Offering in the Highly Collectible
Model 700™ Classic Series
Madison, NC - Remington has announced that the 2005 Model 700 Classic rifle is the final offering in this limited edition series that dates back to 1981. Chambered in the widely popular .308 Winchester, the 2005 Classic rounds out an impressive list of 25 classic editions that have ranged from the diminutive .17 Remington to the hard-hitting .375 H&H Magnum.
“The announcement of the Model 700 Classic chambering each year has been highly anticipated,” stated John Trull, Marketing Manager for Remington Firearms. “After 25 years, most of the classic cartridges have been offered and we felt it was appropriate to make the ever popular .308 Winchester chambering, the final edition in this collectible series.”
Beginning in 1981 with the 7mm Mauser chambering, these traditionally designed Limited Edition Model 700 rifles have featured a straight-combed stock of American walnut with low-gloss satin finish, crisp-cut checkering and hinged floorplate. A clean blued carbon steel barrel and receiver with high polished finish, added to the classic-look of this Model 700.
The 25 editions of the Remington Model 700 Classic include this notable list:
1981 - 7mm Mauser (7 x 57 mm)
1982 - .257 Roberts
1983 - .300 H&H Magnum
1984 - .250-3000 Savage
1985 - .350 Remington Magnum
1986 - .264 Win. Magnum
1987 - .338 Win. Magnum
1988 - .35 Whelen
1989 - .300 Wby. Mag.
1990 - .25-06 Remington
1991 - 7mm Wby. Mag.
1992 - .220 Swift
1993 - .222 Remington
1994 - 6.5 x 55mm Swedish
1995 - .300 Win. Magnum
1996 - .375 H&H Magnum
1997 - .280 Remington
1998 - 8mm Remington Magnum
1999 - .17 Remington
2000 - .223 Remington
2001 - 7mm-08 Remington
2002 - .221 Remington Fireball
2003 - .300 Savage
2004 - 8mm Mauser (8x57mmS)
2005 - 308 Win.
As with previous editions, the 2005 Model 700 Classic will only be available for one year in limited quantities.
