Remington Model 7

[Phillip Fields]

I've got a Model 7, 7mm-08 I bought new about 1994. This rifle has had less than 100 rounds down the tube. I've never been satisfied with the accuracy- about 1.5" at 100 yds. Never really cared about the factory Rem trigger either.

I'm wanting to start using this rifle more as my primary rifles are heavier and have more recoil (.264 Win Mag and .300 Win Mag. What would you do to this rifle. I'm thinking: free float the barrel, pillar and glass bed, upgraded trigger, tune up the action.

[Slick8]

I would do all listed except for tuning the action. I don't see a lot of return on investment on that if not replacing the barrel with a custom. That would be the final answer.

Also, do you hand load? If it's consistently shooting 1.5 at 100 with factory, you can likely cut that in half with hand loads.

[Artos]

Yeah, if you are going to true it might as well get the whole works with custom tube & stock.

[Phillip Fields]

Yes, I handload. As for tuning the action I was thinking more of polishing and smoothing the action out as it's a little rough.

[Big pig]

I've got a Model 7, 7mm-08 I bought new about 1994. This rifle has had less than 100 rounds down the tube. I've never been satisfied with the accuracy- about 1.5" at 100 yds. Never really cared about the factory Rem trigger either.

I'm wanting to start using this rifle more as my primary rifles are heavier and have more recoil (.264 Win Mag and .300 Win Mag. What would you do to this rifle. I'm thinking: free float the barrel, pillar and glass bed, upgraded trigger, tune up the action.

I had the same year gun in a .260.
After a ton of work, loads and two barrels,
I dumped it. My 700's are extremely accurate.

[trooperjd]

My 260 started as a factory model 7 like yours. I added a Benchmark barrel, action blue printed, BC stock full length bedding block, bedded action and now she is a great shooter with handloads. No regrets here after all the work done by the gunsmith.

One side note though is the model 7 action is shorter than the 700 action. It will limit the type of bullets you shoot . I handload and found that the overall length with some bullets were too long for the magazine. If you choose to use as a repeater it may cause issues, but if plan on using as a single shot then won't be an issue. I changed bullets and no longer have that issue.

[Phillip Fields]

I want this gun for our treestands in thick cover and for still hunting through the timber, but still able to reach out 2- 300 yards, so I'll probably use a good 140 gr bullet which shouldn't give any feeding problems. If I'm watching one of our big fields I'll use my APR built .264 Win Mag.

[RStrick]

What bullets/loads arebyou having trouble shooting. A friend has a model seven in 7-08 and drives tacks with Remington core-lokt's, all he added was a jewel trigger.

[Phillip Fields]

Remington Core-lokts in 140 grain is what I've been shooting. In all fairness to the gun, I haven't spent much time in working up a load in it.

[ruger41]

I have an older model 7 in 260 and it HATES 140 gr. I think it has the 1 in 9 twist barrel. It shoots 120 grainers like a dream though.

[14JKURX]

I have 2 model 7s and changing to a Timney trigger helped more than anything. When working to improve accuracy and doing it yourself I like to do it in steps Trigger first then the stock work.

[Cajun Blake]

Phillip

does your M7 have the pencil-thin barrel ?

if so, those never shot well due to barrel heating up and horrible harmonics. 3/4" ~ 1" was the norm on the larger caliber ... 7mm and above.

You'll dump $300+ into it hoping it will shoot better. Unless you decide on a custom barrel with larger contour, I think you're spinning your wheels. You may find a sweet load if going with the 120 gr bullets but that remains to be seen.

That M7 is very desirable and will bring $500 on the used mkt. If I were in your shoes, I'd sell the M7 and buy a Tikka T3 for roughly the same price

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/613262100

this rifle is priced at $469

[Big pig]

Phillip

does your M7 have the pencil-thin barrel ?

if so, those never shot well due to barrel heating up and horrible harmonics. 3/4" ~ 1" was the norm on the larger caliber ... 7mm and above.

You'll dump $300+ into it hoping it will shoot better. Unless you decide on a custom barrel with larger contour, I think you're spinning your wheels. You may find a sweet load if going with the 120 gr bullets but that remains to be seen.

That M7 is very desirable and will bring $500 on the used mkt. If I were in your shoes, I'd sell the M7 and buy a Tikka T3 for roughly the same price

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/613262100

this rifle is priced at $469

I would seriously consider this.
I bought a savage. Accurate and dependable
Model 7 was always butt heavy to me and didnt balance well.
For all those who like the little short barrels, the sound and muzzle blast
Are definitely helped by a 2-3" increase in barrel length. And I have never felt short guns are an advantage in a blind or the fields.
Good luck.

[Phillip Fields]

Phillip

does your M7 have the pencil-thin barrel ?

if so, those never shot well due to barrel heating up and horrible harmonics. 3/4" ~ 1" was the norm on the larger caliber ... 7mm and above.

You'll dump $300+ into it hoping it will shoot better. Unless you decide on a custom barrel with larger contour, I think you're spinning your wheels. You may find a sweet load if going with the 120 gr bullets but that remains to be seen.

That M7 is very desirable and will bring $500 on the used mkt. If I were in your shoes, I'd sell the M7 and buy a Tikka T3 for roughly the same price

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/613262100

this rifle is priced at $469

Thanks for the info Blake. I really don't care for the T3 and I like the Mod 7. If I can get my groups down to 3/4" I'll be satisfied. I talked to Jimmy at APR and they're going to bed it for me and install a Timney trigger.