Author Topic: 20" Model Seven Barrels? Good Bench Manners? (Read 1201 times)

biglmbass · « **on:** July 15, 2005, 03:04:40 AM »

I don't own one, but have always thought that the Rem Model 7 would make a great deer gun especially now that they're putting 20" barrels on them. My primary interest is the .260 & 7mm-08 in this gun. I do wonder which of these calibers makes the most of the 20" tube. In other words, which is the most efficient w/ the abbreviated barrel. I'm fully aware that either will take game cleanly and said game won't know the difference. I like to shoot at paper targets almost as well as game and I know some short barrel carbines are quite rude (excesive muzzle blast, etc.) when shooting from the bench.

Are these calibers in the 20" Model Seven well behaved when shooting from the bench?

beemanbeme · « **Reply #1 on:** July 15, 2005, 05:56:37 AM »

I have a M7 in 7-08 with the older 18" barrel. I haven't noticed any "rudeness" as your say. And, as you also said, the deer looked quite dead. I would like to get my hands on a M7 with the 20" barrel in .260. I think it would be ideal for the deer around here.
That be as it may, I've used the 7-08 for hunting west of the big river for several years and my son made our longest shot to date using the little M7. 284 long steps for a one shot kill on a large mulie buck. 145gr Speer Grand Slam and H4895 powder.
The only problem with getting a 7-08 in that tidy package would be trying to justify buying another rifle once you have the one. :grin:

huntinhick · « **Reply #2 on:** July 15, 2005, 10:08:44 AM »

biglmbass, I hope you don't mind me jumping in and asking questions here also, I have been looking at the 7mm-08 in the model 7. I would like to know how the recoil is? I read a post somewhere saying it was a bear, what do about it? I currently shoot a 700 30.06 so I don't imagen that recoil could be any worse than that.

thanks

huntinhick

biglmbass · « **Reply #3 on:** July 15, 2005, 10:13:38 AM »

Jump on in... Welcome.

Wonder if this would get more traffic on the bolt rifle forum...

huntinhick · « **Reply #4 on:** July 15, 2005, 10:49:25 AM »

could be that the bolt forum gets more eyes on it, I see they have post on compact rifles in which the model 7 if favored 47 to 12. that's pretty good odds. if you check I have one a couple of days old where I asked about the model 7 and the lv sf. hands up yes on both. I have been bouncing between the 308 and 7mm-08 since I hunt elk and black bear those two seem to be the best choice

Huntinhick

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** July 15, 2005, 11:26:30 AM »

In short barrels the larger bore always wins out as being more efficient. Better expansion ratio for larger bores. BUT either the .260 or 7-08 would do just fine in a 20" barrel. My Model 7 with 20" barrel was a shooter from day one. First handload I tried in it shot 3/8" for the very first group and always stayed under an inch at 100 yards.

Now for just bench work a longer barrel and heavier rifle are better. But for a hunting rifle those little model 7s in 7-08 are hard to beat. My wife uses one of the originals with 18.5" barrel with stock cut to fit her. I've moved to the LSS Mtn. Rifle with 22" barrel for the laminated stock cuz when they came out with the laminated stock model 7s I couldn't locate one but did find the LSS Mtn. Rifle.

flintlock · « **Reply #6 on:** July 15, 2005, 05:14:09 PM »

My brother has had a Model 7 in the 7mm-08 since the early 1980s...I've also got a buddy that bought a .260 Model 7 the first year they came out...both are stainless/black composite...I have shot both, and skinned deer killed with both, dang if I can tell any difference in recoil, or damage to a whitetail....I will say that the kick is "quicker" and you do have more "muzzle flip" than my other brother's .270s (these are full sized guns)...

We have also noticed that the .260 didn't like the 140 gr factory loadings... As a matter of fact, my buddy took up reloading because of his .260...Remington quit making his favorite factory loads...If I were debating between the 2..I'd opt for the 7mm-08...its gotten pretty popular in NC...I've done the WalMart check from Greensboro to Elizabeth City...most carry ammo for it...not so the .260...

All that being said...I don't really care for the shorter stock and barrel of a Model 7...In fact, I had my Model 77 rebarreled to 24 inches awhile back...but, if a shorter gun feels good...get it...

cal sibley · « **Reply #7 on:** July 15, 2005, 05:32:35 PM »

If I recall this is a rather light rifle. I bought a Browning Micro-medallion in .308Win. It's an attractive rifle but weighs exactly 6.0lbs. with a thin, short 20" barrel. It's a real beast in the recoil department. At the range it completely jumps out of the front cradle of my rest. The forend now looks like I used it for fungo practice. I helped it somewhat by adding a Pachmyer Decelerator pad. I doubt if it's as bad in the field since we rarely feel any recoil when shooting at game, but I wonder how many shooters buy these short barreled rifles only to regret it later. Just one mans opinion. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

hillbill · « **Reply #8 on:** July 15, 2005, 06:57:36 PM »

i have a older mod 7 in 243. i love it to death and have killed dozens of deer with it and never had one escape it. however, those skinny barrels heat up rather quickly off the bench. every fall its the same thing, i go to sight in, first shot dead on at 100yrds, second a little off and third off in the boonetules. after bout 6 times of this i say heck with it and hunt with it anyway. BOOM deer falls dead. one year i got sick of it and bought a ruger no. 1 in 06. nuttin agin the ruger but it dont seem to kill as quick as the mod 7. its all a confidence thing i suppose. the mod 7 is by far the best handleing, lightest, prettiest and also one of the most reliable guns in its class. yu wont go wrong with it. i do believe id trade mine for a .260 but that may just be because in a 6.5x55 fan to start with.

De41mag · « **Reply #9 on:** July 15, 2005, 07:39:14 PM »

biglmbass; I've owened a Mod 7FS since 1989 in 7mm-08, killed a bunch of deer with it.I even took it out west for pararie dog shooting using a Speer 110gr. HP/TNT with great results. And I've got the little 18-1/2 inch barrel.
With the 20 incher, you should have no problem downing a deer, the 7mm-08 is a great cartridge. I think the best for deer east of the Mississippi.
Good Luck.

Dennis

biglmbass · « **Reply #10 on:** July 16, 2005, 10:01:57 AM »

Thanks for the info/opinions folks. I've always admired these short barreled guns; they just feel good in my hands and they seem to come to my shoulder real quick. If they feel that good in the store, I can only imagine they'd handle even better in an elevated deer stand.

Sadly, the configuration I'd want is no longer being made. To my eyes the LSS version (stainless/laminate) they discontinued several years ago was the best looking. Those were made in 7mm-08 which is probably what I'd lean toward. Guess I'll just have to keep an eye on the used gun racks. I know the M7 laminated stocks can be purchased seperately from Remington, but last time I looked, they were well over $200.

cal sibley · « **Reply #11 on:** July 24, 2005, 06:39:19 PM »

I don't know about the Remington model 7, but I have a similar rifle, the Browning Micro-Medallion in .308Win. It weighs 6.0 lbs., and has a short, thin 20" barrel. It's a beast at the range. It's not bad in the field since we rarely notice recoil when shooting at game. The front end of what was a very pretty stock now looks like I used it for fungo batting practice from jumping out of the cradle so often. I tamed it somewhat with a Pachmyer Decelerator pad, but still use a Past Recoil Shield when firing it from the bench. I'm not a little guy, nor particularly recoil shy, but do feel the manufacturers should give some warning with these rifles so the potential owners would know what to expect. Just one guys opinion. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal