10 round magazines for Rem 7600

[Downeaster]

Hi guys,

I am considering buying a new Rem 7600 in either 30/06 or 308.  I have noticed some 10 round aftermarket magazines in "Cheaper than Dirt" or some other publication that are supposed to fit the Rem 7400 and 7600.  I think the magazines were produced by Eagle manufacturing or some outfit or another.  Does anyone have experience with these?  Do they function well? 

Also, is it true that the barrel of a 7600 can't stand up to a lot of shooting over time?

[LEO]

I have one of them that someone gave me, I have shot it a time or two and it worked ok.  I haven't fooled with it much because it sticks out at the point where I grasp the rifle to carry it.  Plus the idea of an extended capacity for my 7600 doesn't really interest me, I have other rifles that fill that role.

As far as the barrel lasting, the barrel on a 7600 will hold up as well as any other standard rifle barrel given the same level of care.  If you shoot a rifle a lot rapid fire the barrel wears quicker than if a slower pace is maintained.  I don't know what you call a lot of shooting but I would expect to get over 5000 rounds barrel life out of one.  I had one in 308 that I had put about 1500 rounds through with no problems before I sold it.  By the way nothing wrong with the rifle when I sold it, I just wanted the money to buy one of the 7600 patrol rifles in 308 which I have about 1000 rounds through with no problems.  I think the internal parts would wear out much quicker than the barrel.  Hope this helps

[Downeaster]

I was kind of wondering how the 10 rounders would work because, first, they are inexpensive.  Second, this would allow the 7600 to be used as a poor man's SHTF rifle in a pinch.  If they work reliably, you could afford to buy a number of them.  Would the 7600 rifle serve this purpose.  Myself, I can't afford to buy a real military style rifle such as an M1A or a DSA FAL, but I could afford to by a 7600 carbine in 30/06.  Any thoughts on the 7600 serving this kind of purpose?

[LEO]

Downeaster, based on what you say about your intended use of the rifle is, I would buy one or two, take them to the range and test them.  They seem kind of fragile to trust to life and death type stuff, you might want to get extra regular magazines and practice reloads.  But you are right in a true crisis, something is almost always better than nothing and while it is easy for gun writers to say only X,Y, or Z will work for most of us financial limitations are real.  If you are buying a new carbine, I would suggest that you take a look at the 7600 patrol rifle in 308.  The extra expense is worth it for what you get.  Wilson rear and XS front sight, metal trigger housing, no J-lock, and the trigger is better than the regular 7600s I have shot plus the barrel is 16.5 making it a little handier in tight places and vehicles. 

[LEO]

Downeaster, I got to thinking about your post.  Do you have a 7600 carbine or are you thinking about buying one because you want one, or are you thinking about buying one to use as a defensive carbine.  If you have one it will serve your purpose, if you are thinking about buying one because you want one and think it would serve dual roles, then by all means get it.  If you are buying one because you are looking for an inexpensive defensive carbine there are some better options.  The top of my list would be the good old lever action 30-30 marlin or winchester based on preference.  Have a good gunsmith replace all the springs (if a used rifle) and slick it up (trigger and cycleing) if needed.  Put a good set of peep sights or low power optic or dot sight on it based on your preference go to the range and learn how to use it.  I don't mean from the bench, I mean from field positions at various ranges and at various size targets.  You should be able to get into this set up for around 250 dollars more if optical/dot sight is chosen, that leaves a lot of money for ammo.  The lever action has been doing defensive/offensive duty for 150 years.  Are there better rifles to go to war with yes but is the average citizen who nows how to run his/her gun defenseless with a lever rifle no way.  The rifle has 6 round plus capacity in most models, can be topped off without taking the rifle out of service or off target, fast rate of "aimed" fire remember only hits count.  Mild recoil and mild muzzle blast flash so it is kind to the shooter.  Has more than adequate power/accuracy for 200 plus yards. Is light and easy to carry and doesn't send up warning alarms if people see it.  If a store sells any ammo they sell 30-30 and the ammo is relatively cheap.  I carried a Winchester 94 as a patrol rifle for years, the only reason I changed was we were no longer allowed to carry longguns with exposed hammers, someone had a negligent discharge and it was easier to say a rifle was unsafe than to say a person was unsafe (it was not the persons first N/D).  I am not sure if I have helped or clouded the issue but anyway, something to think about.

[Downeaster]

LEO,

I agree with your analysis concerning the use of a levergun as a dual use firearm.  I already have a Marlin 44 mag levergun and it will serve the dual use role with 10+1 rounds capacity and plenty enough wallop for brush hunting of deer.  I was just thinking of something with more range and punch.  The 30/06  is a great all around caliber for a variety of game  at a variety of ranges.  Also, the 06 would fill a tactical role if ever needed particuarly against bad guys wearing body armor.  Of course, another thought has also popped into my mind.  I reload for the 44 mag; maybe I should buy myself a Marlin 444 and reload for it.  It will give me the extra punch I want and would be effective against almost all North American game (with the possible exception of the biggest bears).

[nabob]

Bad guys wearing body armor? Where do you live that is so dangerous? Or is this for some sort of job function? Just curious. If it is for home defensive use, I'd move.

[Downeaster]

Actually, the idea of bad guys wearing body armor is remote at best, but it would just nice to have a rifle that fills that need even if it extremely unlikely that one would ever need it for such.  I realize that a 223 would fill that need but it doesn't provide the punch needed for big game hunting.  My 44 levergun provides the punch I need for close range big game hunting, but I don't know how well it would fair in a tactical/self defense situation.  With light bullets (hardcast 180 grains for example) it might penetrate armor.  The standard 240 grain softpoints would doubtless be enough in most situations.  Did I mention a linited budget?

[Bandito]

Downeaster I think you have some good ideas here. The thought of using a 444 as you already have the 44 mag is good. Similar powders, bullets etc can be helpful. A thought about the 7600. Maybe the 308 should be a possiblility. There is sometimes a good buy on milsurp ammo. Lots of it has dried up but it can still be found. One can also though, find good sales on '06, .308, and 30-30 at the "Mart" stores and sporting goods stores. Many times the best sales are off season for fall hunting. Spring and early summer can be the time at the local Mart store. Just some ideas. The Remington Patrol Carbine sounds like it already has some of the handy features you might want in a good quick brush or SHTF gun. May have to look into that myself. I have been wanting a metal ten rounder for my 7600 for a while. I had bad luck with Eagle large capacity mags for my mini-14. That is who makes the ten rounder for the 7600. Good luck and God Bless. Bandito

[LEO]

Downeaster, I would go with the 308 or 30-06 you first talked about.  You really aren't gaining that much with the 444 if you plan on using the same bullet you use for your 44 mag.  You reach a point of dimishing returns when you start pushing a bullet designed for one velocity range into another higher velocity range with bullet performance.  There are some good bullets out there for the 444 so if I picked the 444 I would go with them.  People tend to look at the 444 as a 44 magnum long and it really is not. It is a fine hunting round but look at it as a stand alone round to get the most from it I hunted with one for a while and liked it, never shot any game past 75 yards with it but it performed well on the couple of deer I shot with it (obviously not enough of a sample to make much of a study but anyway).  I sold it and bought a 45-70 which was what I wanted when I got the 444 but the 444 was a deal and I couldn't find a 45-70 at the time. But you are still not gaining long range capability if that is what you are looking for.  I would continue to look at the 30-06 or a 308.    As far as bad guys with body armor you are right it certainly is not a common thing but it is getting more and more common.

[codyzak]

i bought 10rd. eagles for my syn. 30-06 7400.  the looks i get at the range are priceless!  they run well with commercial ammo, just don't get them dirty.  try www.cdnninvestments.com, since they are much cheaper!  buy with confidence.
my 7400 cannot take surplus-the ramp into the barrel will get chewed up since those fmj rounds are longer than commercial.  7400/7600's are hunting rifles.  not meant for any high/sustained rates of fire.  the barrel will leave a lifetime reminder that it is hot after emptying the mag.  the cheek rest on mine makes iron sight shooting a challenge.
in the back of my mind, i considered a dual purpose nature for my 7400.  i see it as my elk gun now.
enjoy it no matter what!

[pastorp]

While body armor may be and uncommon problem, barriers are not. The 308 or 30/06 will handle car doors, walls, ect much better than your 44mag. I thought remington 7600 patrol had one model that would accept the m1a1 mags. Regards, Byron 

[gstewart44]

Hey downeaster - I just joined the forum but I 'll tell you my experience with the aftermarket Eagle plastic 10 rd mags for the 7600.  I have a 3006 carbine and bought two thinking it would be the ticket for SHTF.    They both fed well and had no problems however I soon found out the mags were not sturdy enough for me to count on when SHTF.   In practicing a quick reload(mag change) the empty mag hit a rock on the ground which cracked the plastic along its seem.   From there out you could load the mag but as soon as you stopped loading the plastic would expand along the crack and spit out the new rounds. 

IMHO I think the only trustworthy SHTF mag for a 760/7600 would need to be made out of metal.   

I now rely on my mini 14 with 30 rd mags and aimpoint.   

[Sourdough]

My wife carries a 7400 in 30-06 with a ten round plastic magazine and has had no problems with it.  She has carried this gun and magazine combo for 23 years.

[shamrock94]

When I purchased my new 308 7600, I also ordered 3 of the Triple K metal 10 round mags and crossed my fingers that at least one of them would work. The ones I received are actually labeled as being for the 740. I have not been to the range yet but have tested all the mags multiple times with snap caps. Two of them function flawlessly while the third works perfectly if I load it with 9 or less rounds. With 10 rounds it only works 1/2 the time. The rest of the time it tries to double feed after ejecting the first round. Perhaps in time the spring will get broken in and it will work with all 10.

At the same time I also purchased a spare Remington factory 4 round mag to use while hunting. It failed to feed the second round every time, if loaded with the full 4 rounds. It even sometimes malfunctioned with only 3 rounds loaded. I sent it back and am awaiting the replacement.

One thing I have noticed is that regardless of what magazine you use, you have to pump it like you mean it. If you try to pump it slowly or fail to move the slide backward or forward all the way, more often than not, bad things happen. Otherwise I am quite happy with how smoothly it cycles the rounds.

Tj

[Pinkerton]

Got to second LEO's remarks on the 444, I love the triple 4, and it and the 44 carbine are really two different animals. It can be effective to 225yrds(with practice) but if you need range the 30-06 and 308 are much better choices. Even if you reload, it will be cheaper to feed the 30 cals.

[DCRthe3rd]

The 10 rd mags for the 7600 have a less then great rep where I come from