Remington 673

[peartree]

Just curious if anybody else out there has picked up a new Remington model 673 in the 350 rem Mag yet.

peartree

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I almost did----but the lack of and cost of factory loads put me off of gettin one. I don't like handloading---BTW

[targshooter]

Peartree,
Just yesterday a shooter had one at the club. It appears to be a well made firearm. I don't like the front sight and raised rib, but they are executed nicely on the sample I saw. The stock is very nicely done and the metal finish was beautiful. The wood to metal fit was excellent. According to the owner, it is not easy to get ammo yet, and he paid premium prices for the 3 boxes he had. He was getting dies from RCBS, but since you don't reload, that is moot. He did not claim to be a target shooter, and he was sighting in at 50 yards offhand. The recoil did not appear to be substantial at all. I did get to handle the rifle, and it seems very nicely balanced. the low power scope on the rifle came up nicley in offhand and the gun has a nice balance for snap shooting. Have you had a chance to shoot your rifle? It would be interesting to hear from someone who benched the rifle about its accuracy capabilities.

[peartree]

targshooter,

Well, I have taken my 673 out to range to sight it in.  I have a Leupold VXll 1-4 scope with warne quick detach rings and mounts.

At this point I must say that I am very happy with the 673.  Am getting     1 1/2" groups wit the sandad factory ammo, 200 gr. core locks.  I am happy with this at this point, this isnot really an target rifle. Made for huntin.
I imagaine with reloads one can do better.  I have 500 brass on order, so this winter I will be working up various loads, but for now will use the factory brew. I live in the sticks in Vermont, and so far have not had any problems obtaining factory ammo. Cost about as much as most premium stuff.

I would say that this gun in 350 mag is a thumper. But the stock design and heft does help over the original Model 600 Mag, that I had before it was destroyed when my house burned down.  I  happen to like the stock, vent rib and the sights, but then again I liked the original modle 600 mag also. Probably one of the few.

peartree

[kenfred]

I concur with peartree--I think the vent rib is kinda neat.  I put a cheapie Cabela's 2-7 Pine Ridge on mine and headed to the range.  I wound up with 1 1/2 to 2 inch groups at 100.  I had intended to get a better scope, and give her a good go, but fate interviened and I drew a buck antelope tag for ND.  Pretty rare occasion, so I have been working with the 600 Rem in 6 mm, as well as the 257 Roberts for that.

After antelope season, I intend to get back to the 673, but for now, at least, I also agree that the recoil is manageable.  I had a Browning BAR in 338 Win Mag that used to beat the snot out of me.  This one I can handle, but you know you have your hands on some snort.

As far as ammo goes, Cabelas is the only reliable source.  Bit pricy for now, but I have reservations about reloading a belted magnum case.
Heard a guy has a bushing out to go in the resizing die to resize the belt as well, and eliminate the splitting problem there.  Any experience out there along these lines?

[peartree]

Kenfred,

Have never had a problem reloading belted cases. Have worked with belted cases for long time, just have to follow the procedure and pay attentoin.  Have yet to have any splits., and have done 350 mag, 338, 300 Weatherby.

Yes the recoil of the 350 Mag in the 673 is manageable, more so than the original model 600, but it does thump prety good.

peartree

[kenfred]

Thanks for the feedback, peartree.  I intent to give it a go.  Read a couple articles talking about the belt expanding and chambering.  One of my sons does quite a bit of reloading, and is anxious to have at it.

Do you have any pet loads for the 350 rem?  I've seen quite a bit of data with the 225 gr.

[detritus]

Kenfred,  saw a reveiw of that "belted magnum resizing collet die" (or whatever they named the thing), think it was in shooting times back around the beginning of the year...

After going through the steps he used to test the die, and compare using it, to reloading to the same load specs without using it.  the reveiwer was how shall i say.. dismissive of the device.  seems that he determined that you MIGHT get one or two more loadings out of a piece/batch of brass before you started to see signs of the types of brass failure that belt Mags are known for (isn't it head seperation??) and therefore that it was time to get fresh brass.  

in other words, had the company NOT been advertising in the magazine that month,  the reveiwer would have come out and said "don't waste your money",  the thing has a BARELY measureable effect on case life, and it's just not worth the money/extra time to 90% of shooters to milk MAYBE another reloading out of their brass.

your milage, needs, wants may differ adn lead you to use this device though.

[kenfred]

Detritus-

Thanks for the heads-up.  Always appreciate feedback.

Looks like I can turn the boy loose.  Will post back later as to how it went.

Thanks again.

kenfred

[Crayfish]

While I've never shot or loaded a 350RemMag, I had a 300WinMag for many years and reloaded for it almost exclusively.  Most of my loads were near the upper end of the power scale since that's where the "Mags" typically shoot their best.  The belt never caused any problems at all.  Just ignore it and load like any other round.  

Don't set the shoulder back unless you absolutely have to, and then just enough to allow the round to chamber, and you won't have ANY problems!  I typically neck sized only unless difficulties chambering loaded rounds warned me that it was time for a full-length sizing again (following the above procedure, of course).

By the way, I never had a case head separation on any of my 300WM brass.  Had a few necks split after many loadings that probably could have been avoided with annealing but that's about it.

Have fun with your new toy!! ... Crayfish

[kenfred]

Thanks for the response.  After I get back from the antelope hunt, we will have to give it a go.  We usually neck size only, so we should be OK.

Thanks again for the feedback.

kenfred