Accuracy of Remington Model 7 vs. 700 in Big Game callibers?

B

Bill C.-sbio

New member
I'm just wondering if anyone here has much experience with Remington Model 7 rifles, especially those in 7mm-08?

I have a friend who is looking towards buying an "all around" big game rifle for what's available to hunt in my state which offers hunting for Blacktail Deer, Mule Deer, Elk, Bear and Antelope.

One of my recommendations to him is a Remington 700 in 7mm Mag.

However, this fellow is of fairly small stature and light weight.

So another possible rifle to consider might be the Model 7 in 7mm-08.

However I've heard rumors that the accuracy of the Model 7s might not be up to the level as that of good Model 700s.

I was wondering if anybody had any solid knowledge on the differences.

I know that, generally speaking, Mod. 700s are often the choice for builders of accurate rifles, and I've seen a few that were VERY accurate out of the box.

I have no experience with the Model 7 other than the fact that they feel "handy".

Any help out there?
 
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This Model Seven in .223 was free floated and glass bedded.

I set up a Model Seven in .243 for a friend a few years ago; it also shot well under 1" groups. The holes all touched on the first 3-shot group she shot at 100 yards - she thought she had only hit the target once until she got close enough to see!

I have just recently purchased my second Model Seven - stainless/synthetic in 7mm-08. I've only fired 2 test rounds through the rifle. I have not taken it to the range yet; I'm waiting on a replacement stock from Richard's with a Decelerator recoil pad installed. I'm a bit recoil sensative and, with the factory pad, it was a bit too much of a kick for me.

I am 5'6". I also have heart problems and have never been a strong person. The Model Seven is just what I need for light weight and compact size. I cut all stocks to 12 3/4" LOP.

I absolutely love the Remington Model Seven!

me!
 
I wish I had the same luck as you . I bought my daughter a model 7 youth in 243. Best group so far is about 1.25" and thats after bedding and a trigger job. So far, im not impressed. Got any load data for what you used?
 
With a Model 7 you are potentially trading a little accuracy for a rifle that may be better suited for hunting rugged terrain. If I were hunting Elk sized game I wouldn't be as worried about my rifle shooting 1/2MOA as long as I could carry it all day for 2 or 3 days just to get 1 shot.

I think a lot of hunters get too concerned over how well their rifle will group 5 or 10 shots from a bench. What really matters is the 1st cold bore shot. Can I put the first round in the kill zone off hand or supported one way or another in the field?

That's just my opinion.
 
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My experience was the same as crapshoots. I bought a model 7 in .243 a few years back. I don't know if it was because the gun was so light in the muzzle or if it was just a lemon but I couldn't get it to group very good for me. I tried several different combinations of bullets, powder, and other components but nothing seemed to help. Can't remember the size of the groups but it was bad enough I sold it not long after getting it. I totally agree they are a handy size and nice and light. It was the only model 7 I've had so I'm not suggesting they are all like that. Sounds like "me" has a very good shooter.

I've had good luck with the model 700s though.



Good hunting
 
As a gun trader/buyer/seller and enthusiast it has been my experience that the Model 7, 7mm-08 is excellent. It has the same trigger, i.e. adjustable, as 700 and I've never had a problem selling one within a short time of acquiring it. I've never had a customer come back and complain but have had several remark how much they liked hunting with a carbine style bolt action that was accurate. The 7mm seems to be inherently accurate in any of the chamberings and in Texas the 7mm-08 is very popular. On private land in Texas one may hunt from a vehicle and on large ranches this is the preference. This makes the short, carbine Model 7 even more likable as it is easy to get into action.

The 7mm Magnum is the hands-down winner that it is because of the performance and success many, many hunters have had over the last 30 years. I hunt with and like the 7mm Mauser in a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight for the same reasons many like the Model 7. As a handloader .280 performance is achievable with the 7mm Mauser.
 
I have had the same results with Model 7's as ME. One of the best groups I have ever shot was .277" c to c, 3 shots at 100 yrds with my .223 Model 7, it is an older model with the 18 1/2" barrel. The recoil lug has been bedded and the barrel floated and the trigger is less than 2#. I have had similar results with a .204 M7. Shooting factory Hornaday ammo I have shot 4 groups that were between .6"-.7". I have a M7 in 260 that I have not done better than .9 with but one thing I have found with the model 7's is the bore seems to be rough and becomes copper fouled quickly until "broken in". The bore in the .260 was green with fouling when I bought it so I need to put some more work into it!! I can't speak for the 700's bore because I have never bought one new.

A friend of mine just signed on to PM last week under the user name "ModelSeven". He could really add to this post,he talked me into trying my first M7 and I rarely carry a heavy barrel gun anymore.
The only bad thing about the M7's is because they are so light and short you really have to do your part when shooting them, they are not as forgiving as a heavy rifle.
 
My experience with the 7's was not good at all. I had two 7-08 stainless models and neither of them would shoot well at all. I like the idea behind the concept but would advise your friend to get the 700 model. He might look into a mountain rifle if Rem still makes it. I always hunted with a 7 mag and loved it. I am 5'6"/150-lbs and the recoil is not made to me.
 
I have a model 700 in 6mm Rem. This gun is the best shooting gun I own and I have never reloaded for it. I have had my eye on a Model 7 in 308 so I am interested in what you guys are all thinking also. I was looking this route for a "truck gun" for woodchucks and coyotes here in Ohio. I realize it is a bit of an overkill I just want a compact gun and I do not own a 308.
 
I have an older M7 in .243. I would not say it was a tack driver, but with the right loads it has shot a few .5" groups at 100 and generally hangs about an inch or so with a load it likes.

For a big game gun you do not need 'varmint' accuracy. If it will hold 3" or less at 200 that will do on antelope or even a coyote, much less a deer or an elk.

They are nice rifles to have out for a day, will not slow you down. As stated above, you have to be a little extra careful in your shooting position as they are light enough to be a bit twitchy. A good rest or a good shooting loop sling is a great aid. I use a Ching sling and with care in my position and taking my time, I've shot more than one 5-shot group under 4" from sitting at 200 yards.

They are great little rifles, but it does sound as if there are some quality control issues at Remington. Consider that the same company makes both rifles, so the odds of running into the same quality issues with the 700 probably are similar.
 
I have a 700 stainless in 7mm mag that has a muzzle brake on it. About the same recoil as a Savage mod 10 .223 (and VERY accurate).
 
Love my Model 7 in 7mm-08. The best gun for carrying around in the woods all day. Short enough to go through the thick stuff without getting caught up. Real natural to aim and bring up on game.

I also am a little small, only 5-8 and find the gun to be a great fit. the 7-08 knocks down everything here is pa from yotes to deer to bear. I use the speer grand slam bullets in the 145 grain, and have never had a deer take more than a couple of steps. I hear its a good rifle on Elk, but we dont have any in my neck of the wood.

Later

Dutchman
 
Crapshoot -

What happened to my favorite avatar? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

It was back in the late 80's that I set up that .243..... I don't have any of my load data any more since I quit hand loading. I can tell you that I used a Speer 85 grain SPBT at about the maximum listed loads in the Speer manual. I seem to remember that I was using IMR 4831..... I used the same load in my Ruger M-77 to take 3 deer and quite a few coyotes; the 85 grain bullet stopped everything dead in it's tracks.

The group above was shot using Remington Express (factory) 55 grain PSP's.

I don't even have a scope on my 7mm-08 yet..... It's going to be another month before I get my stock..... Then probably a month after that before I can get it to the range..... I'll be sure to post how it shoots when I get it together. (The rifle that is - I don't think that I will ever "get it together"! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

On your daughter's rifle..... Did you also free float the barrel? Definately free float the barrel. You already bedded it. I glass bed the last 2" of the barrel, the back side of the recoil lug and the front end of the action.

My friend who bought the Model Seven in .243 was only 5' even and maybe 100# with full cold weather gear! I have wanted a Model Seven ever since! It took me 15 years to get one - and now I've got two! I think you got the perfect rifle for your daughter! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

me!

My Model Sevens. .223 on top; 7mm-08 on bottom.

M7%20223%207mm08.jpg
 
I had a stainless model 7 in 308. The gun shot very well, the only thing you need to remember is that your shooting a short barrel light gun. If you are wanting to go into the larger calibers keep in mind the recoil of the light gun.
 
I have two Model 7's...Love both of them. The first was a Mod. 7SS in .260Rem. I bought for my son. I loaded it with 129gr. Hornady's and from the first shot fired, shot 3/4" groups.

My biggest rave these days is my Model 7 in .204Ruger...I have shot 7 groundhogs over 350yds., one was 441yds. Now, that'll stack up with any 12lb. custom varmint gun. Lightweight, crisp, adjustable trigger, this gun almost sleeps with me!

My friend bought his son a Model 7SS in 7mm-08, and I have hunted with it and killed a buck with it...He took my son one evening to his stand (box) and handed me his 7mm-08. My son had the .260. Less than 15 mins. after I sat down, I grunted a young 6pt. in and dropped it with a shoulder shot with a 140gr. Rem. factory load. Alls I know is that every Model 7 I have seen and held will put the bullet where you want and willnot wear you out carrying it all day. Lots of times, I'll carry my son's .260 Rem. instead of my .270 or .280Rem. Puts the deer down as dead as any caliber too! gobblr addict
 
Yes ME, I floated the barrel. Im playing with Varget and 85 gr partitions, 85 gr sierra game kings , and 85 gr Barnes tripple shocks. We'll see what i can do.
 
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Crapshoot -

I cancelled my order for the custom stock yesterday..... Then I began the task of floating and bedding the barrelled action in the synthetic stock.

One of the first things I noticed was that the raised area at the tip of the stock provides the only support for the barrel. If that is removed, the barrel will be be completely unsupported.

The action rests firmly on the solid area of the stock behind the recoil lug (orange arrow). However, the raised area in front of the recoil lug doesn't support the barrel; it's exactly the same height as the back area but the barrel is higher than the action (red arrow).

So far, I've filled in some of the recoil lug slot to make it fit the same each time, built a base for the barrel bedding and put in the first layer of bedding. I should have it done by next weekend and I'll be able to give you a range report and pictures of what I've done.

me!
 


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