remington 700 vs the model 7

[fox fire]

  Whats the difference between the 700 and the model 7,   is the 7 a cheaper version ( not by the price tag )  or a suposedly updated version?    I  looked at a model 7 predator gun i  22-250 with a fluted barrel and factory camo finish ( nearly $800 ),  the trigger felt ok bolt was pretty smooth (to me anyway).   All I know is whats on the surface, fill me in.

[Graybeard]

Lots of misinformation passed around about this question. Truth is the Model Seven is really just a slightly shorter version of the Model 700 short action. It does take different scope bases due to the shorter length and modified top of action. It uses the same exact trigger assembly as the M700. Quality is same as that of the M700.

I have two of the Model Seven Predators one in .223 and one in .17 Fireball. I'm still working to see what the .223 likes but with factory ammo the Fireball with shoot five shots into a half inch at 100 yards time after time. One of them in 7-08 would be just about my ideal deer rifle. It was made for a time with different camo to stock only and a fluted SS barrel in 7-08 and .260. I should have bought one when they were in stock and still likely will if I see another in stock.

[fox fire]

   Thanx for the reply kind sir.

[Nobade]

Yep, GB hit it right - the front end is the same as a 700, the rear end is chopped off some so you only have one scope base screw in the back, and the bolt is about 1/2 inch shorter. There is no decent rear tang to pillar bed to, the rear screw is very small in diameter, and the bolt stop is different. They take a different stock  (not as many folks inlet for the mod 7 as they do for the 700) so your choices are more limited. Not many decent scope mounts are available for it. I really don't see the point in one myself, but lots of folks like them.

[Graybeard]

Current Model Sevens now have two screws at rear for scope base unlike all the ones from years ago. Change took place when the Model Seven CDL came out I think but am not sure. Tang is still shorter and rear screw is still smaller.

Front part of action is same on short action M700 and M7 at 1.7" but the rear part behind the ejection port is much shorter on the M7 at only 0.7" compared to 1.5" on the M700 SA. These measurements taken on right side of action in front and back of port.

Total action lengths are 6.0" for the M700 SA and 5.5" for the M7 action as compared to 6.85" for the M700 long action. Lengths were measure along the left side of action on each. That does NOT include the tang behind action.

[scootrd]

Mount a mod seven  7mm-08 with a short mag 4.5-14x32  scope using weaver steel bases and you have one heck an awesome low profile , lightweight short action deer slayer great for use in mixed Timber, Brush, and field..  I love my 25th anniv edition.  It is easy to carry all day, and as GB mentioned above , for me and how I hunt , its my ideal deer rifle.
The X-Mark Pro trigger is awesome.

The mod seven and the 7mm-07 are an awesome combination. Seem to go together like PB & J like they were made for each other.

Here's a good article that draws some comparisons between the Mod 7 and 700.  

http://www.shootingtimes.com/longgun_reviews/st_remington25_200808/index.html

Below is a couple of pics of my setup.
FYI Butler creek sling is very comfortable , grips help hold it in place on my shoulder and work really well.

[mannyrock]

   The Model 7 is different from the Model 700 in that the Model 7 was specifically designed and engineered to be a short action receiver, for the building of lightwight but rugged carbines.   They have been in continuous production for more than 25 years, and are very well built rifles. It was not designed to be a cheaper version of the Model 700, but instead a better receiver for carbines.

  The original Model 7s came only with 18.5 inch barrels, and only (I think) in .243 and .308.  They were an instant success, especially with people who hunted from deer stands, and folks who liked to carry their rifles in mixed woods and close fields.
Most of the ones I saw were grouping 1.5 to 2.0 inches right out of the box with factory ammo, which was excellent for such a lightweight carbine, and more than enough for big game hunting out to 250 yards or so.

  About the only complaint with the Model 7s were that the 18.5 inch barrels resulted in some significant muzzle blast, especially from the .308, and that a longer barrel might make it less butt-heavy and perhaps more accurate, with less muzzle blast.
 
   So, after a few years, Remington stopped selling them with the 18.5 inch barrel, and started selling them only with 20 inch barrels, which is what they primarily are today.  (Perhaps you can now buy one with a .22 inch barrel, but I'm not sure.)  They also started selling them in a wide array of calibers.  They are great rifles in 7mm-08 and .308.

  These are primarily rifles for big game HUNTERS, who know that it is perfectly fine to have a 1.5 inch group rifle for big game.  They are not for target shooters, benchrest shooters, varmint hunters, and other assorted folks who like to spend their time trying to get sub 1" groups.  Those folks much prefer the Model 700.

    I don't understand the person who said that there aren't but a few decent scope bases made for this rifle.  When I had one, I always used the one-piece Leupold steel base. My brother had two, and he always used the Weaver base.  These are both readily available and excellent.  Geez, how many scope bases do you need? I  use one per rifle.  :-)

  When I go to large gunshows, it seems as if there are about 10 used Model 700s sitting out on tables for every 1 used Model 7.  And, the Model 7s don't sit there long. They get snatched up early, again, primarily by folks who love to hunt.

   Hope this info helps.

Mannyrock

[scootrd]

Hi Mannyrock ,
I agree with your comment regarding bases.
I personally chose the weaver 2 piece steel base system for aesthetics as much as anything else. Just personal preference I never liked the look of 1 peice bases.  I do think,  however the 2 piece base allows greater ease of access when loading.  

Depending on the caliber the Mod 7  can be purchased with a 20" or 22" barrel. The WSM's chambered  mod sevens as well as my 25th anniv. have 22" barrels. I believe the others are 20"

Balance is great. At around 7 1/2lbs with scope et all ... It is a quick pointer and tracks exceptionally well.

Only concern I can think of if some one is looking to purchase is the overall size of the Mod Seven.
I am small in stature 5' 6" tall , and the mod seven fits me great. As with  any rifle,  someone interested in purchasing one should  shoulder first to ensure adequate fit before putting $$ down sight unseen, especially a person of larger stature.

[deerman12]

I love those model 7's since they came out.  I have two 7mm08, 270wsm, and 300 saum.  I love these rifles!  I handload and have got 1/2 inch groups lots of times out of these rifles.  The 7mm08's are not picky.  I have one ss and ss fluted in the 7mm08's.  They are shooters! Everyone in my family has killed deer and hogs with those 7mm08's.  Most are all instant death shots.  My favorite rifles!

[gunnut69]

I had 2 of the M600 carbines and when the 222 Rem was stolen I replaced it with a very early M7 in 222 rem.. Great shooting little rifle as were the M600's. They are different than the M600 in some respects but perform as well and lack the unsightly plastic rib and nylon bottome metal of the M600 also. A couple of years ago I bought a M7 youth in 7-08 for a bit under $275 at a gunshow. It is to become a manlicher stocked carbine in due time. If all works out it may be my future son in laws deer rifle.. It was rough and that's kindly put so I shot it a bit with handloads, no real load developement though. The results were very encouraging. Groups were fairly round and just a bit under an inch. With a bit of work and a well bedded custom stock it should easily go under the magical inch. The 222 used a stamped sheet steel trigger guard and floorplate assembly while the 7-08(a much new rifle) has what appears a cast alloy guard assembly. Both work well and I have no problem with either.