Author Topic: New guy's question: 7600 .280: to carbine or not? (Read 1274 times)

DeerMeadowFarm · « **on:** July 28, 2004, 09:45:16 AM »

Im new to the forum but now that I stumbled onto it you can expect to see more of me! Heres my question: I currently use a Remington model 7600 pump-action rifle in .280 Remington for deer hunting in Maine. The rifle has the standard 22 barrel with (I believe) a 1 turn in 9 ¼ (according to their catalog). While I shoot this rifle on the range out to 200 yards my longest shot in the field on game has been a measured 120 yards. The clear-cutting forest practices have opened up the possibility of long shots, but typically Id say that 200 yards is pushing it.
I have been toying with the idea of cutting the barrel down to 18+ and making a carbine model out of it (Ala the famous Benoits of Vermont). Remington offered a carbine model of their model 7600 in .30-06 only which according to their catalogs has a 1 in 10 twist. I know from books and videos that the Benoits have made carbines out of the same rifles in .270 caliber with great success. The Remington catalog lists this caliber as having a 1 in 10 twist as well.
My question, I guess, is what can I expect to lose or possibly gain in performance by cutting my rifle down to carbine length? Will accuracy suffer noticeably in typical New England hunting ranges (200 yards max)?
Thanks!

Dave in WV · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2004, 01:12:40 PM »

I hunt mostly in brush and I haven't found the 22" barrel length a problem. The balance point will change when you cut the barrel and you may not like the change. My son bought me a 7600 with laminated stocks chambered for 7-08. It is one sweet rifle. I toyed with the idea of cutting the barrel to 20" but changed my mind. I like it as is so why change it? I think you'll find the 18" barrel an ear ringer. I have known a few guys that have or have had a 760 carbine and the most repeated comment is they are loud.

targshooter · « **Reply #2 on:** July 29, 2004, 04:07:22 AM »

:grin:
Welcome to the forum.
I own and use a Remington 7400 Carbine in .30-06. It is the synthetic stocked version with the crinkle paint. Ugly. However, it is not influenced by temperature or weather. It is also very accurate. Shooting it I do not notice the blast, but other shooters at the club have remarked that it puts out the decibels.
Cutting a barrel down requires a competent gunsmith who will not scratch the existing rifling during the process, especially when recrowning (a good job hopefully) the barrel. I've had two rifles shortened, and the "gunsmith" butchered one, whereas the other firearms technician did an admirable job.

High Brass · « **Reply #3 on:** July 29, 2004, 06:52:18 AM »

I don't know what you may gain. I have "Dave in WV's" M760 and don't find the 22" barrel a hinderance at all. I hunt some of the thickest terrain available here in eastern NC and in places in WV and don't feel the need for a shorter barrel. You'll loose some velocity but not enough to concern yourself with, especially at the ranges you mentioned. If you do decide to do it, as mentioned go with a competent gunsmith. Preferably one that gets "attaboys" from previous customers that have done the work you describe.

257Robt · « **Reply #4 on:** August 01, 2004, 04:12:05 AM »

I don't think that cutting the barrel down on your 280 is that bad of an idea. I have two carbines, a 760 in 308 Win, and a 7600 in 35 Rem. The thing that I like about the shorter barrels is that to me, the balance of the rifle feels better. Trying to compare my calibers to a 280 is tough to do, but I can say that I don't feel that my rifles are that much louder than a standard length barrel. At the range I am wearing ear protection, so more noise is hard to tell. When I or many others are hunting, 1 or 2 shots is all you usually get. At that point I haven't noticed any difference. Usually I get focused on the animal and forget about the noise. I would go on a limb a say that shooting a ported barrel or say a Browning Bar with the Boss on it would be louder. I know a person who shoots a Bar w/ the Boss and when he shoots, you can definently tell. A friend that I hunt with shoots a Winchester 100 carbine in 308 and I have been close to him when he has shot and have not noticed the rifle to be ant louder then normal. I have a friend who chopped the barrel on a 760 in 300 Savage and he has not noticed any big difference in the amount of noise. As far as accuracy, I don't think the shorter barrels lack anything. Both of my carbines shoot great and I had a Ruger compact rifle (16" barrel) in 243 that shot unbelievable. The one thing that I have noticed is that, if you decide to shorten a rifle barrel, make sure you plan on keeping the rifle. In central WI, many people turn their noses up at pumps to begin with, then if you tell them that you "customized" one, then they get real skeptical. If your area is not like this, then you are ok. Sounds like a cool project to me, and if it works for the Benoit's, it works for me.

Buster · « **Reply #5 on:** August 12, 2004, 06:13:13 PM »

The only objection I had to my 30-06 Carbine was the 5' sheet of flame which belched forth each shot. Shooting in the last light of day I had to feel around with my hands to get down from my treestand blinded as I was by the howitzer effect of the little grizzly tamer.
It was a great rifle though and highly satisfactory in all other respects.
If you do cut your .280, consider stopping at 20".
Or go all the way to 16"!

I do have a .308 carbine 760 now and wouldn't be without it.

DeerMeadowFarm · « **Reply #6 on:** August 13, 2004, 01:17:23 AM »

I decided to cut it. I'm going to 19 1/2". Why the odd length? It matches the length of my 20 gauge 870 deer gun. It's in my gunsmith's capable hands now. I'll let you all know how it turns out. Maybe post a picture too if I can figure out how...

257Robt · « **Reply #7 on:** August 14, 2004, 04:49:38 PM »

Can you keep us, ok, or at least me, posted on the progress of your 7600 in 280 Rem. I am curious to see what is going to happen. I have been toying with the idea of chopping something, maybe a 270, 280, or a 7mm-08. I just haven't figured out what yet and I have to find a way to get the rifle in the house w/out the wife finding out. :-) The beauty of chopping a 270 or 280 is that they can be easily found at the gunshows that will be happening in our neck of the woods. I should probably quit reading those books about the Benoit's; I am getting way to many ideas from them.

NYH1 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 03, 2004, 06:42:36 PM »

DeerMeadowFarm, the best thing to do is leave it the way it is right now and sell it to me !!! :grin: Then I'll have the barrel cut and recrowned to 18 inches. I'll also mount a Leupold VX-II 2-7x33mm scope on it. See, I have it all figured out, I just need the rifle! :shock:

Bama76 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 04, 2004, 05:27:50 AM »

If your using optics on the firearm a long barrel makes no difference as far as accuracy goes. Short, stiff barrels are more accurate actually. If you using iron sights the rules change completely though.

Mike

DeerMeadowFarm · « **Reply #10 on:** September 29, 2004, 02:39:44 AM »

Well I got my 7600 back from the gunsmith. The barrel is now 19 ½ long. The stock has a recoil pad on it. It looks real good. Im taking it to the range on Saturday; keep your fingers crossed for me!

High Brass · « **Reply #11 on:** September 30, 2004, 01:19:57 AM »

DMF,

Good luck with it Hoss, tell us how it shoots.

DeerMeadowFarm · « **Reply #12 on:** October 04, 2004, 06:39:02 AM »

I am happy to report that the rifle shoots great! From the bench it performed quite well. The addition of the recoil pad was money well spent too. While the .280 wasnt really a big kicker, I think I shot better knowing unconsciously that I wasnt going to get slugged in the shoulder.
Where the gun really shined was on the Running Deer Range at our clubs annual Field Day. I tied with four other guys for first place in the first round only to blow everyone away in the shoot-off. While I didnt win any of the other three rounds, I consistently scored kill shots on the target with groups I could cover with my palm; not bad for a moving target! The gun just seems to point and swing better. Next test: Maine in November!