So I have a Remington 600 looks like from the 60s in .243 that was left to me recently that I would like to get restored for sentimental reasons. Probably not worth what it would it cost but that does not matter. However, I am having a lot of trouble finding a reputable gunsmith in the Midland/Odessa area to even reach out to about the project. Anyone have any suggestions? I can always ship it off but would rather not do that if I did not have to. Can also take it somewhere and then pick it up when done, but obviously would prefer it be closer than a days drive. Thoughts?

If it is a Mohawk 600, you might be surprised what it would be worth.

Looks to be pretty basic. I won't be seelling it just want to get it refreshed as close to original as possible and be usable. Will try to post pictures.

txags92 said:

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If it is a Mohawk 600, you might be surprised what it would be worth.

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I have one of these. It needs work

Page TX_COWDOC on here. I think he does restorations and is really talented on that.
How is the overall blueing on it?

My late uncle had an old Colt Lightning done by Gunsmith Irwin Restorations in Cedar Park. 512-294-6331
He was very happy with it.

Then you also have:https://www.turnbullrestoration.com/
They are world renowned but not cheap.

cevans_40 said:

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txags92 said:

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If it is a Mohawk 600, you might be surprised what it would be worth.

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I have one of these. It needs work

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My brother got one as his first deer rifle and I got a Ruger M77. I would trade him my Ruger for it in a heartbeat.

I had one of the first Remington model 600 Magnums in a .350 REM Mag. Cartridge. Those came with beautiful laminated walnut stocks. Original 600's were built from 64-68 and had vented rib barrels. Then production stopped.
Then from 1971-1980 or so Remington built the 600 Mohawks but they did not have the vented barrel like the original 600's did.
I bought the 1968 vintage 600 Mag in .350 to go Elk hunting. It was not a joy to shoot at all! The muzzle blast due to the short barrel was unbelievable.
I sold it at a gun show in the 80's. Here is a pic of one like it:


It was a beast, to say the least. But very popular in its day for big game mountain hunting because it fit nicely in a scabbard on a horse.

txags92 said:

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If it is a Mohawk 600, you might be surprised what it would be worth.

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What are those worth? I have one in .308 that I have debated on selling.

I see Remington Model 600 Mohawks ( Mohawk models were built 1971 - 1980 and Do Not have vented rib barrels) at gun shows and auctions ranging in price from high $500's to $1300-1500. Depending on conditions and chambering.
Original Model 600's ( should not be confused with Mohawks) with the Vent Rib barrel (circa1964-68) will bring more. The original Model 600 Magnums, ( also had vent ribbed barrels), with the laminated stocks are relatively rare and will bring a premium above the standard 600's.

Thx.... Mine is a Mohawk, does not have vented barrel. but is pretty excellent condition. I doubt it was ever shot much. ai says my serial number was produced between 1972 and 1979.

If it is in excellent shape, no blueing wear, good wood and excellent bore it should easily bring $1100-$1200 plus. They are trending upward in value/collectability…..not quite as sought after as the older 600's or 600 Magnums but still highly desirable.

My dad had a Mohawk in 6 mm Remington. Man he loved that rifle, nice and short made it easy to handle in a blind. And accurate! Cover 3 shots with a nickel. Which was a good thing, as his lease by uh, the town which shall not be named, had lots of deer, but not big, so he didn't believe in wasting meat when he could make easy head shots.

Gunny456 said:

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Thought you might like this. Should be what yours looks like.
Note the price back then!

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That would be it, very cool. Except it has an old 3 -9 scope on it and looks like the rear sight was removed to allow it to fit. But the vent rib and stock shape match. I am having fits with getting images posted but will keep trying. Tx_cowdoc where are you located and would you be willing to take on a project?

Tried for pictures.
https://ibb.co/S2DGGDM
https://ibb.co/NnTx75J5
https://ibb.co/bgcp3YrS
https://ibb.co/zHGzgKB6
If this works will get more and better ones at home this evening. The bolt is stuck open, the stock has gunk stuck to it and deep scratches . I am wanting to have it done for sentimental reasons, so doesn't have to be perfect but would like it to be functional and look good.

[url=https://ibb.co/S2DGGDM][/url]

[url=https://ibb.co/NnTx75J5][/url]

[url=https://ibb.co/bgcp3YrS][/url]

[url=https://ibb.co/zHGzgKB6][/url]

Thank you sir for the help with the pics, very much appreciated. Will get some a few more tonight and try to get them loaded so they show.

From what I can see the blueing does not look bad at all but some additional pictures of all sides of the barrel and action would help in a better evaluation. If the blueing is indeed good ….then all you really need to do is clean up or refinish the stock ……which is not that hard to do with some TLC and elbow grease.
Does the bolt move at all or is it totally frozen? Or can you wiggle it a bit and does it feel loose but won't go forward? If it moves freely but just won't go forward the magazine top plate may be up enough that it is keeping it from going forward and you need to push it down a bit with your thumb as you push the bolt forward. Or the ejector cam may be hitting it.
Someone may have at some time removed the bolt and did not insert into the action correctly.
If it's totally frozen and won't budge by rotating or pulling back further than something else is up.

Looking at those pics, the metal looks to be in good shape. Cleaned and oiled. Stock appears to have some water damage at some point. I think refinishing the stock would help a lot.

The bolt wiggles a little left and right but will not turn or go forward or further back. Will give the thing in the video a try tonight. It definitely needs a good cleaning and the stock refinished. I just dont know enough about it to risk taking it apart and then being stuck unable to put it back together.

Try it this way. Edit to add it worked!

I would simply turn it over to TX_Cowdoc. He has the talent, tools and knowledge imho. And most importantly you can trust him.

New rifles are cheap, ergo good gunsmiths are retiring and getting harder to find

Don't have a suggestion, but first thought was Between the Walls would have taken on this project but looked them up and saw they closed permanently. Been a long time since I had been there. Sucks to see they closed.

Burdett & Sons won't do the work BUT they will know who can do it for you. they had my Grandfathers shotgun done by a Guy in Austin. When it came back and i saw it for the first time brought tears to my eyes. that shotgun was a working gun. blueing completely gone and needed stock work. serial #s put it Mfg. before 1919. looked brand new. hope they can do for you

Very nice old gun! Hope the restoration goes well. I am just curious Gunny, what is the main purpose of the vented rib on the barrel? Is it primarily for stiffening, and perhaps cooling, of the barrel or something else?

The vent rib on the original Remington 600's and 600 Magnums (Magnums are rare as only 13,142 were built) was actually made of nylon and not steel. It was the same nylon material they used to produce the Remington Nylon 66 .22's.

The Remington 600's barrels were thin due to trying to save weight and it was said that Remington put the nylon ribs on them to make the barrel appear more robust.

Remington built the 600 mainly as a lightweight short barreled hunting rifle and they marketed it as a quick aiming, maneuverable, lightweight rifle with that short barrel. They marketed the vent rib as giving a better sight plane (as they are on shotguns) and reducing "mirage" from heat off the barrel.

So the nylon rib really did nothing for strengthening the barrel nor aiding in cooling in reality....and at the end of the day it just served to make the rifle look good. That is probably why the vent rib was not on the latter 600 Mohawk models brought out as the predecessor to the 600's in 1971.

There are some aftermarket ribs available for the Rem. 600's that are made of steel.