Rem 7400 308 as a tactical rifle?

[handirifle]

A thought crossed my mind, since here in the land of Kalifornia, certain rifles are limited.  The AR's ARE available but in the "off list" versions, that are at best controversial.  Also, even these are a pain, as the receiver has to be opened up for EVERY reload.  Not my cup of tea. 

Trying to avoid the Feds as much as possible ( I'm NOT a criminal, but have no desire to give them any reason to snoop) I'd stick with "currently legal" versions of semi auto centerfires.  The 7400 seems to get good responses for reliability and accuracy, and since it costs about 1/5th the price of an M1A, it seems like a decent idea.

Mostly considering the carbine, in 308, with home made tactical mods.

What say ye?

[R.W.Dale]

 From what I've found in researching this very subject and owning both 7600's and 7400's the main thing holding a 7400 back is long term durability. Just from the way these rifles are made the life cycle on them is supposed somewhere between 1000 to 2000 rds before their completely worn out. The 7400's don't handle heat very well causing POI to wander wildly as the bbl warms and they're very hard to detail strip for a through cleaning. Lastly these rifles can be quite ammunition sensitive.

 BUT the rem 7600 suffers from none of these issues and is vastly more accurate to boot.

 Look at like this

A rem 7400 is an LT1 powered 95 Impala SS

A rem 7600 is that same car that's been upgraded with a 6 speed manual

Which one sounds like more fun?

[handirifle]

OK I'll bite.  How long is the throw on the pumps.  To be honest, I've thought of shortening the guide bars on my Mossberg 500 to bring the forend up closer.  Sticks out WAY too far to suit me.  That's one of my hang ups with the Rem pump.

I fully understand about the reliability issue as well though.  Kind of a bummer.

[R.W.Dale]

OK I'll bite.  How long is the throw on the pumps.

Only slightly longer than the cartridge itself, 4" on my 7615p

[handirifle]

OK I'll bite.  How long is the throw on the pumps.

Only slightly longer than the cartridge itself, 4" on my 7615p

What about the 308 models?

[mannyrock]

   The Remington 7400, and its semi-auto predecessors, are notorious for jamming after every 25 rounds or so, unless you clean the chamber very thoroughly, with the chamber brush provided in the box.

     Deer hunters who only fire one box a year to sight in, and then clean the chamber, are happy with these rifles because odds are that they will never fire more than 5 rounds while they are hunting.  But, as a tactical weapon, this rifle would be suicide.   Moreover, the mechanical design is based on one piece  of metal "peening" (hammering) against another, until the rifle action  beats itself to death.  I have heard that about 1,000 rounds or less is not uncommon.

    As mentioned in a prior post, the  Remington pump 7600 (and its predecessors) are as well built and reliable as the Rem  870 shotgun.  In other words, they are as solid as tanks.  Get one with a synthetic stock if you are going to be throwing it around.  Either .223 or .308 would be fine, though the .308 may kick somewhat in this rifle.

Best Regards,

Mannyrock.

[jneilson]

I wouldn't attempt to use a 7400 has a tactical weapon. I have a 7400 and it's a great hunting rifle. If I fire four shots in a row the barrel heats up enough to blister my fingers.

[handirifle]

I was going to next ask about a barrel swap to a heavier barrel, but nannyrocks post has me convinced it's not a worth while pursuit.

THanks for the indepth answers.  Time to look onward for the next plan.

I will be picking up my new Mini 14 Target in a few days, and was considering a second one as tactical, but sorta wanted a larger caliber for some prone long range plinking.  Will have to either go again with 223 or go with a bolt gun.

Thanks again.

[BRL]

Either one you choose, check these people out. http://www.remington7400.com/index.php

I have considered sending my 7400 there for some work. I love my 7400 as it has never failed me in the 22 years that I've owned it. But, as mentioned here, I only shoot 20 rounds at a time through it and then hunt with it. It has seen a lot of use over time...but not a lot in the same day. At most 40 rounds in one range session over probably 3 hours...a lot of .22 shots between groups.

[SharonAnne]

back in the early 80s we held our first 3 gun match-rifle/shotgun/pistol.   Most of us showed up with a 1911, some form of long-mag pump shotgun and AR15s or Mini 14s. We only had 200 yds to work with. Some guys showed up with Remington 7400/7600 or whatever the model numbers were for the pump and auto loader Remingtons back then. They had 10 rd mags. After 20-25 rds they would jam up tight. Once cooled off they were again good for 20-25 rds. We learned a lot that weekend.

For a tactical/defensive rifle get one based on a real fighting weapon. The M-14, FN-FAL, AR-15 are excellent choices.

If I was unfortunate enough to live in the Pipples Demokratik Socialist Republik of Kalifornia I would probably pick the 7615. Remington built it purposefully for police use. It should be much more robust than those designed for hunting.

[handirifle]

back in the early 80s we held our first 3 gun match-rifle/shotgun/pistol.   Most of us showed up with a 1911, some form of long-mag pump shotgun and AR15s or Mini 14s. We only had 200 yds to work with. Some guys showed up with Remington 7400/7600 or whatever the model numbers were for the pump and auto loader Remingtons back then. They had 10 rd mags. After 20-25 rds they would jam up tight. Once cooled off they were again good for 20-25 rds. We learned a lot that weekend.

For a tactical/defensive rifle get one based on a real fighting weapon. The M-14, FN-FAL, AR-15 are excellent choices.

If I was unfortunate enough to live in the Pipples Demokratik Socialist Republik of Kalifornia I would probably pick the 7615. Remington built it purposefully for police use. It should be much more robust than those designed for hunting.

Sharonanne
Thanks for that info.  I have already purchased one Mini 14 and will get a second one.  They're not perfect but they ARE RELIABLE and durable and easy to clean and care for.  Thanks for all in keeping me away from the Rem auto idea.

The M1A (civilian M14) would be my next choice but is out of my range price wise.

[NHNATIVE]

Krochus, is that a "stock" configuration on the gun pictured, or did you mix and match parts. Thanks.

[R.W.Dale]

Krochus, is that a "stock" configuration on the gun pictured, or did you mix and match parts. Thanks.

It's a 7600/7615 hybrid at this point.

[NHNATIVE]

Thanks, thought so, but didn't want to miss something.

[mrbigtexan]

why not get a mini thirty from ruger. i am having lots of fun with this caliber in my single shot rossi. as you know now, the ruger rifles are very reliable.

[SharonAnne]

Handirifle, is your Mini 14 new production? If so, please advise us as to what size 100 yd groups you get.

[handirifle]

Handirifle, is your Mini 14 new production? If so, please advise us as to what size 100 yd groups you get.

Sorry for the long delay, about forgot about this post.

I now have two mini 14's.  The first IS the new Target model, and good handloads easily produce MOA or better groups.  This rifle is amazing.  I went out last weekend with a bunch of friends, shooting everything under the sun.  I set clay pigeons up from 150 to 300yds.  I could make one shot kills about 80% of the time, with about a 15kt cross wind.  This from a sitting position.  I has a Burris 3x9 ballistic plex scope, and Hogue overmolded stock on it.  I want to get a bipod for it next.

My latest is a 3 year old 580 series and I just shot it today, for the first time.  Not for groups, but function check.  So I can't comment on the accuracy part yet.  Over at perfectunion.com, we/they are making HUGE progress in that dept, and for little cash on most upgrades.

One co-worker, who has really been trying to get me to convert to the AR platform, brought his AR to our "shoot".  Frankly I had misgivings about the AR platform since my Army days of '72, and shooting his made me realize why.  I just do not care much for them.

To each his own.

It might take a few weeks, but I will test the other one with before and after accuracy tests.  Most of my shooting, is done with 55gr Hornady soft point bullets, and 26gr of Varget.