In addition to the fact that the barrel code of EA and the "B" prefix in the weapon serial number all indicate a 1980/early 1980's year of manufacture for psycho's rifle, some elements of 1960 rifles were unique to that decade as well:
• A magazine charging notch in the front of the Model 721 receiver bridge was carried over to the design of the Model 700 receiver, but it was eliminated in 1966.
• During acceptance testing of imported Model 700 rifles by the Australian government, the firing pin was eased down on a round in the chamber and the end of the bolt shroud then struck with a hammer. Since the end of its cocking piece protruded from the short bolt shroud when the firing pin was in its forward position, the Model 700 failed that test. Remington took care of that detail in 1968 by increasing the shroud length by about 0.265 inches which leaves the cocking piece well inside of the rear of the bolt shroud in the fired position.
• The thumb tab of the original safety lever was square in shape but changed to a more rounded shape in 1969. During that same year the bolt handle was swept a bit further back but as hunters began to complain about getting their trigger fingers rapped when shooting a rifle chambered for one of the magnum cartridges, it was changed back close to the original angle in 1974.
Here is a picture of an early Model 700 that I own with a 5 digit serial number. Notice the short bolt shroud and the cocking piece protruding from the rear of the shroud even though the firing pin is in its forward fired position. Also notice the flat tab safety lever which is different from the current round tab safety lever.
The stripper slot/charging notch is under the scope base so its not easy to see but this rifle has the stripper slot in the rear bridge carried over from the earlier Model 721 rifles.
psycho: Does you rifle have any of these characteristics of 1960's vintage Model 700 rifles?
PS - Please disregard the fuzz on the rifle. I took it out of a leather and sheepskin case and didn't wipe it off prior to taking the photo. The lint shows up really well in the photo.