Remington Model 7: Your experiences, impressions, etc.

[lgm270]

I'm thinking of a Remington Model 7 in .308. I like the Classic version with the checkered  walnut stock. Anybody have any particular experiences with this model? 

How about the 7mm08?  I'm thinking of an AI version.  I read on the Jarret website that he can get 3050 fps with a 140 grain bullet with the 7mm08 AI in a 20" barrel.   

A Remington Model 7 in 7mm08 AI would be perfect of that velocity is attainable.

[beemanbeme]

For a fellow hunting east of the big river, a model 7 in 7-08 may be the only rifle he would ever need. Topped with a nice 1,5x5 or a compact 3x9x40 (I understand a fellow has to have a .223/22-250 for varmints)
Other than having something different, I don't know what you'd do with the extra 150-200 fps a AI would give you (if that).  The 2700-2800fps velocity window a standard 7-08 would give you is ideal for the use of standard bullets. Or perhaps Grand Slams or Partitions if you want to get fancy.
If a 7-08 was my only rifle, and I was going elk hunting, I load up some 160 NP's or GS's at @ 2600fps and go with the understanding that my range would be less than if I were using a more suitable cartridge.
The very idea of having only one rifle has given me the willies.  I think I'll go lay down and put a cold rag on my head. 

[lgm270]

bemanbeme:

Thank you for your response.  The 7mm08 AI  with a 140 grain bullet at 3050 fps appeals to me because its so close to the .270 WCF 130 grain bullet at 3,000 fps that I've used for decades of deer hunting with great success.   That's the idea.  I do not intend to use heavier bullets or hunt bigger game than deer with this Model 7. 

Thanks again for your response.

[Chuck White]

I agree!

The 7mm-08 can do it all (in the right hands) in the East!
The M-7 is a very handy size for carrying and pointability!  Very quick indeed!
I have three M-7's, one in 308, one in 7mm-08 and one in 223!

If you are wanting something with more velocity, consider a rechamber to a 284 Win or perhaps a different rifle in a 7mm Rem Mag!
You wouldn't need anything bigger than a 7mm-08 for anything in the East, unless you were in one of the North-East states that have moose hunting available to you!  But I have to admit, I love to hunt whitetails with my 7mm Rem Mag, but it's really not a power thing, it's a "reach" thing!

[bucktales]

Although I don't own one in 7mm08, I do own one in .260. I 've had it for several years and size wise and weight wise, it's just the ticket for an Eastern woods or walking rifle. Mine has a Leupold 2x7 compact on it and that suits my needs just fine.
I usually rotate between 3 or 4 of my rifles during the course of a season but I always manage to take the mod. 7 out.

[lgm270]

I agree!

The 7mm-08 can do it all (in the right hands) in the East!
The M-7 is a very handy size for carrying and pointability!  Very quick indeed!
I have three M-7's, one in 308, one in 7mm-08 and one in 223!

If you are wanting something with more velocity, consider a rechamber to a 284 Win or perhaps a different rifle in a 7mm Rem Mag!
You wouldn't need anything bigger than a 7mm-08 for anything in the East, unless you were in one of the North-East states that have moose hunting available to you!  But I have to admit, I love to hunt whitetails with my 7mm Rem Mag, but it's really not a power thing, it's a "reach" thing!

The advantage of the 7mm08 AI is that all I have to do is have it rechambered.  A 7mm mag is going in the wrong direction for this idea.  A friend had the 7mm08 AI in a Rem. xp-100 and he loved it. 

[banen]

I don't have a Model 7 but I have the ruger ultra light in 308 (20" b; about 6 lbs), was actually my very first rifle and it is still what I reach for every year.  While I can't speak to the Model 7 exactly, the ruger is very similar in porportions and I love it for woods whitetail hunting. 

I know the other guys have sung praises for the 7-08 but I don't think you can go too far wrong with the 308.  I think it is every bit as versital and maybe a little more.  Also, ammo is more available if you don't handload.  This light compact rifle in 308 is great in the woods, for my taste it is ideal, I think I would be just as happy with the Remington. 

[fishdog52]

Got a stainless model 7 308 in the gun safe.  If I were forced to keep but one rifle, this would be the one.  I would have to admit it is not my favorite rifle, but it does everything pretty darn well.  With good bullets, I would not be bashful about hunting anything on the North American continent with it.  I spent the summer of '03 fishing around Alaska, including some week long trips out in salt water bays, and this is the rifle I took along (with a magazine full of 180 gr Fail Safes).  Never had to shoot the gun that summer.  Slept pretty well tho'.

[Will_C]

I have had a Model 7 in 7mm-08 since 1990. I must have shot 15 deer with it. Mine has the walnut stock and the 18.5" barrel. I am thinking about giving it to my fiance (she has used it for the last several years) and replacing it with a new CDL, that's how much I like it.
Will

[safetysheriff]

How about the 7mm08?  I'm thinking of an AI version.  I read on the Jarret website that he can get 3050 fps with a 140 grain bullet with the 7mm08 AI in a 20" barrel.   

no offense intended here.   i looked at kenny's website because that sounded too good to be true.   his website says he gets 3050 fps with a .280 Imp'd and a 140 gr' bullet out of a 22" barrel.   i don't think that the formula using the 20" barrel and the 7mm-08........with a 140 gr' bullet is possible, even in an Improved version.   i found this by going to "technical" and then "barrel length" sections of kenny's site.       

if a hornady light magnum can move a 139 gr' bullet to approx' 3000fps (out of a 24" barrel?) then maybe you'll get 2900 out of a Model Seven with a 20".   you will not get that if you buy a rifle that has a 'slow' barrel, however!    i looked at bob forker's book about ammo and ballistics to see what the 7mm-08 gets with that Hornady load.   

i'd buy that 7mm-08!   i just wouldn't expect as much out of it.

take care,

ss'   

[WD242]

I have two Mod.7. Bought a blue version the year they came out in 6mm and its one of the most accurate rifles I own, other than Mod.7 SS in 308. Both rifles like the Nosler BT. Hunting here in the "DACKS" its nice to have a light rifle to carry. Both have Leupold 2-7's. I like the blued 6mm because its blue is dull. The SS in 308 has been camoflaged because thought it was to shinney for the woods. The biggest "DACKS" buck I killed fell to the 6mm.

[hillbill]

i love my mod 7 and have killed better than 20 deer with it in .243. however mine is not what i would call a real accurate rifle. it will always put the first one and maybe the second shot where yu aim but thereafter its a crapshoot. but then ive never really needed more than 1 shot to bring down a deer.bench performance is dissapointing with mine but ive never had a better handleing,quicker or prettier rifle in the deer woods. they also seem to appreciate in value fairly well so i dont think yu will regret owning one.

[LEO]

I had one in 308 that I could not get to shoot to satisfy me, but it was the individual rifle not a problem with the class because 2 of my hunting buddies have 308 s that shoot really well and I have a 223 in SS that with Winchester whitebox 45 grain loads will shoot 3 into less than 1/2" at 100.  I really like the model 7 and probably will one day buy another 308 in SS.

[dpastordan]

I remember when the Model 7 came out in the Mid 8-'s and lusted for one for a long time.  It replaced the old Remington 788 which was a fine rifle.  I bought one for my brother-in-law's birthday in 7mm-08 - great deer rifle in the mid 80's (and kick myself for not buying one for myself).  Finally, last month, I purchased a youth model Seven in .243.  I have put a 4X scope on it.  Just waiting to find time to zero it in. 

[sr sawyer]

I have owned two Model 7's, one in the .308 and one in the 7mm-08.  The 7mm-08 shot great but the .308 even after glass bedding and trying all the tricks I knew the best I could get from it was 2.5" with factory and 1.75" with reloads at 100 yds.  These both had 18.5" barrels as they were the earlier models.  Before I bought either of these rifles I was shooting a .270.
I still have the 7mm-08 and have killed a lot of deer with this rifle.  About  eight years ago I went back to the .270 because of the balliscics and range.  I have killed deer at 305 yds with 7mm-08 and at 410 with the .270 and do not believe the 7mm-08 could make the grade at 400 yds