Remington rifles: What is your opinion of 700 and Mod 7

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What is your opinion of the Remington mod 700 and the mod 7 ?

Accuracy
Quality of Manufacture
Price
Design
Function
Durability
Looks

 

[Big Squeeze]

On everything, I would rate the 700`s & 7`s with an "A".............But! just like the Ruger Frontiers, I would add to the compact Model 7`s, the option to mount a scout type scope!!..............With both eyes open, a scout scope would give the Model 7`s much quicker target acquistion than a conventional scope!.................Because of their size, the compacts are designed to handle better. So why not, add further handling capabilities to the Model 7`s by adding the scout scope capability!

 

[Powerstroke]

I'd have to say I bleed Remington Green....... 10 Model 700's and one model 7.

I guess depending on "what" the purpose of the gun was to be I may look at a few other manufactures, but I'm sure I'd be right back to the 700.
Speaking of which.... :wink: I just saw and held the new 700 VTR and sure would like to add that to the collection.

 

[YoteSmoker]

I enjoyed carrying my older style M7 w/18.5" barrel and walnut stock. Short and light=very nice when hunting mountains for a week straight. However, in 308 win, I did not enjoy shooting it off the bench. Did not hit my shoulder bad but lots of muzzle jump/blast caused the side of the stock to hit me pretty hard in the jaw/cheek. Put a pad on the side of the stock but didn't do much good and raised my cheek weld. Couldn't get much velocity out of the short barrel. I really liked the looks and usability of this gun though. Had it been a 7mm08 or 260, I would probably still own it.

Hard to beat a M700 in BDL, CDL, or Sendero depending on your application.

Remington triggers in either model are very simple to adjust and get really light and crisp.

 

[bullet]

Here is my brief assessment.

Accuracy- Moa and out standing.
Quality of Manufacture - has really stepped up lately in the CDL line, I like it.
Price - starting to get on the high side for what we are getting.
Design - Simple and very straight forward, easy to work with.
Function - Simple and have not had any failures in loading follow up shots.
Durability - Mine have held up under some very hard conditions.
Looks - I think the CDL's are the best looking, but some others I like.

 

[Guy Miner]

I've had a 700 since 1974 - and it spoiled me rotten with great accuracy right out of the box. Still have that old rifle, now my youngest son hunts with it and it still shoots great. Never a problem with it.

They're good, production grade rifles. Some have a pretty rough trigger, but that seems to have been solved with the new trigger Remington is putting on the rifles these days. In any case, the old one wasn't hard to adjust.

There is a bit of a safety concern with the old triggers - some guys worked 'em down too much, and the rifles have discharged when the safety was merely flicked off. I've seen it, and it is food for thought...

Rem factory barrels are usually capable of good accuracy, but the interior surfaces are often pretty rough and tend to foul rapidly. Not all, but some.

The CDL? Dang... I was saving money for a custom hunting rifle when I saw the first CDL at the local gunshop. Aside from a gritty trigger and that awful looking "J-Lock" it was almost exactly what I wanted in a custom rifle. I bought one, adjusted the trigger, broke in the barrel carefully, and it easily shoots sub 3" groups at 300 yards - which is just dandy for my purposes. I've nailed a couple of mulies with that rifle, it's great to carry, nice and light and quick handling as well as accurate.

I have one 700 that has been in HEAVY use for 12 years now, it's been completely trouble free, except that I keep wearing out barrels by shooting it so much.

The only problem I ever had with a 700, was the extractor broke on the 5th or 6th shot from a brand new .300 RUM. Remington sent a replacement for free, and a local gunsmith patched 'er up for free too. The replacement extractor worked fine.

The .25-06 700 CDL with its first mule deer.

Son's first deer with that old 1974 6mm 700 BDL in a Rem "youth" stock.

The 700 CDL with another mulie.

Hard-use 700 in a McMillan stock, back at the truck after a day of 'yote hunting.

Plenty of accuracy for varmint hunting - this is the old 6mm in use on rockchucks last spring.

Also used one when I really needed an accurate, rugged rifle for a high country wilderness hunt for bull elk up in the Wind River Mtns. 700's are good rifles, not necessarily great - although they can be. There's a mess of aftermarket parts for them if you decide to customize 'em. If it's not accurate enough for you - gunsmiths all over the country know how to bring out the best accuracy, or some of the stuff is easy enough to do at home. Yes, I like my Rem 700's.


Regards, Guy

 

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Also used one when I really needed an accurate, rugged rifle for a high country wilderness hunt for bull elk up in the Wind River Mtns. 700's are good rifles, not necessarily great - although they can be. There's a mess of aftermarket parts for them if you decide to customize 'em. If it's not accurate enough for you - gunsmiths all over the country know how to bring out the best accuracy, or some of the stuff is easy enough to do at home. Yes, I like my Rem 700's.


Regards, Guy

Guy Miner, great pictures and very good report. Thank you so much for the time to respond like this. I will have to agree with you whole heartedly about the statement you made which makes a 700 or Mod 7 very useful indeed and that is when you said, "There's a mess of aftermarket parts for them if you decide to customize 'em. If it's not accurate enough for you - gunsmiths all over the country know how to bring out the best accuracy, or some of the stuff is easy enough to do at home. Yes, I like my Rem 700's." Once again thank you for your impute. :grin:

 

[Big Squeeze]

I enjoyed carrying my older style M7 w/18.5" barrel and walnut stock. Short and light=very nice when hunting mountains for a week straight. However, in 308 win, I did not enjoy shooting it off the bench. Did not hit my shoulder bad but lots of muzzle jump/blast caused the side of the stock to hit me pretty hard in the jaw/cheek. Put a pad on the side of the stock but didn't do much good and raised my cheek weld. Couldn't get much velocity out of the short barrel. I really liked the looks and usability of this gun though. Had it been a 7mm08 or 260, I would probably still own it.

Hard to beat a M700 in BDL, CDL, or Sendero depending on your application.

Remington triggers in either model are very simple to adjust and get really light and crisp.

...............................YoteSmoker!.......I am surprised that you were unable to get good velocity #`s from your older .308 compact Model 7..........In comparing my rifle to my friend`s 24" 300 WSM, using various bullet weights, my chrono results show, that my 300 WSM Ruger Frontier, with only a 16.5" barrel, does come to within 4.5% of the 300 WSM 24" tube using the same reloads, ie. brass, primers, powder, bullets, etc.!!..........With your old M7 18 1/2" barrel, it seems to me that you with high probability, would have come closer % wise (less than 4.5%), to the velocities of a 24" barreled .308!!!

 

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Big Squeeze, how would answer this threads question concerning the 700 and Mod 7?

 

[Big Squeeze]

Big Squeeze, how would answer this threads question concerning the 700 and Mod 7?

............................I know it`s a little off topic. I was just a little curious as to Yotesmoker`s disappointing velocity results with his older M7!..........As far as the new 700`s & 7`s are concerned? In my view, I give them an A in all categories although their price can be reduced somewhat and I`d like Remmy to offer a scout scope option for the 7`s.

 

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Big Squeeze, how would answer this threads question concerning the 700 and Mod 7?

............................I know it`s a little off topic. I was just a little curious as to Yotesmoker`s disappointing velocity results with his older M7!..........As far as the new 700`s & 7`s are concerned? In my view, I give them an A in all categories although their price can be reduced somewhat and I`d like Remmy to offer a scout scope option for the 7`s.

Yea, you are not the only one who has said you would like them to offer a scout version. I think if they did it would really make the Mod 7 CDL a complete and line. It is already a good looking line of rifles.

 

[Big Squeeze]

Big Squeeze, how would answer this threads question concerning the 700 and Mod 7?

............................I know it`s a little off topic. I was just a little curious as to Yotesmoker`s disappointing velocity results with his older M7!..........As far as the new 700`s & 7`s are concerned? In my view, I give them an A in all categories although their price can be reduced somewhat and I`d like Remmy to offer a scout scope option for the 7`s.

Yea, you are not the only one who has said you would like them to offer a scout version. I think if they did it would really make the Mod 7 CDL a complete and line. It is already a good looking line of rifles.

................................Since not everyone prefers a scout scope version, Remmy like the Ruger Frontier, can offer their Model 7 rifle that does it both ways, a conventional scope mount or the scout mount.....That was one of the reasons why I bought my Frontier as I can do a conventional or the scout! As it turns out,,,,,I have both! To my knowledge as of now, no other rifle offers both capabilties like the Ruger Frontier.

 

[Guest]

Accuracy - B+
Quality of Manufacture - B
Price - C-
Design - A
Function - A
Durability - A
Looks - B+

As I currently own one, and likely will own others in the future, I think the Remington 700's are great guns, though I agree they are becoming a little pricey nowadays for a nicely finished one. You can still get the el-cheapo versions for a decent price, but the finish work is just not nearly as good on these as on the CDL's. They cover a multitude of sins with that rough matte finish on the lower end stuff.

Looking over the grades above, I can explain a few things. First, accuracy was an A until I bought a Weatherby Mark V and started shooting well under an inch consistently. My Remington is plenty accurate, but only about 1.1-1.2" consistently so far. More loadwork is forthcoming, though. As for quality, I find the bore of mine to be rough. I thought all rifles were this way, but then I bought the aforementioned Mark V (only a synthetic model, so price is fairly close between the CDL and my Mark V, just so it's a fair comparison). I get a lot of copper out of my 700's barrel, and it's a slow round (8x57). I get much less copper out of my Weatherby, which is pacing 3500fps with 130gr's right now. Everything else except looks got an A, but as for looks, I like the way they look, but the stocks are not so great, and the matte finish is just not pretty anymore. I love the satin bluing on my 700 Classic in 8x57, but even the new CDL's are not as pretty.

 

[bullet]

Accuracy - B+
Quality of Manufacture - B
Price - C-
Design - A
Function - A
Durability - A
Looks - B+

As I currently own one, and likely will own others in the future, I think the Remington 700's are great guns, though I agree they are becoming a little pricey nowadays for a nicely finished one. You can still get the el-cheapo versions for a decent price, but the finish work is just not nearly as good on these as on the CDL's. They cover a multitude of sins with that rough matte finish on the lower end stuff.

Looking over the grades above, I can explain a few things. First, accuracy was an A until I bought a Weatherby Mark V and started shooting well under an inch consistently. My Remington is plenty accurate, but only about 1.1-1.2" consistently so far. More loadwork is forthcoming, though. As for quality, I find the bore of mine to be rough. I thought all rifles were this way, but then I bought the aforementioned Mark V (only a synthetic model, so price is fairly close between the CDL and my Mark V, just so it's a fair comparison). I get a lot of copper out of my 700's barrel, and it's a slow round (8x57). I get much less copper out of my Weatherby, which is pacing 3500fps with 130gr's right now. Everything else except looks got an A, but as for looks, I like the way they look, but the stocks are not so great, and the matte finish is just not pretty anymore. I love the satin bluing on my 700 Classic in 8x57, but even the new CDL's are not as pretty.

Points well made. I do have a few (7mm-08 and a 7mmRem mag in 700) that shoot great and can get close and at times shoot right with my Mark V Weahterby's. It will take less work and money to get the Remington that needs to shoot better, to do what it needs to do than with the Weatherby if it needs work. My best three grouping rifles in are in this order. Savage 7mmSTW, Weatherby Mark V 300Wby and Remington 700 7mm08 and then ther is my Remington 700 7mmRem mag and my 700 30-06. Three of these have shot under 2 tenths of and inch in three shot groups and two under 1 tenth. I have posted some on an earlier thread. I really like the feel of a 700 or mod 7 CDL in my hands. I like Weahterby cartridges in my Weatherby Mark V and I like some none Weatherby cartridges in the Rem 700 or mod 7.

 

[JD338]

I have owned several Remington M700's over the years. Every one of them has shot well under MOA with handloads.
I have always liked the looks of the 700. Very durable, have never had any problems.
My only dislike was the J lock and that there are limited calibers in certain models.

JD338

 

[Hegland]

As far as the 700s:

Accuracy - Good
They may not be a bench rifle out of the box but all of mine can certainly keep up with the man on the trigger. And they don't seem to be picky.

Manufacturing Quality - Good
Considering that one of the motivations for the 700 was cheaper manufacturing processes I think they are still pretty decent. I guess I consider their performance as a testament to their tolerances, and I am satisfied.

Price - Fair
The last few years they seem to have jumped. Still not a poor purchase, but instead of being a no-brainer I feel like I have to justify it now.

Design/Function/Durability - Good
They are a stout action and do their job well. The term workhorse comes to mind. The triggers on all three of mine needed help but are pretty straight-forward. Once adjusted, I considered them close to perfect until I got a Jewel. Still, plenty good enough for a hunting rifle.

Looks - Good
The swept bolt and checkered knob are simple but elegant. While not as deep and shiny as some other manufacturers, the bluing gives the same subtle classiness. Some of the stocks look a little cheap and the fit isn't always completely perfect, but they work.

Due to their blue-collar ability and attitude, I am willing to overlook some of the cosmetic issues. I have never owned a Model Seven, but a sturdy compact would be a good tool to have around and the new 7 Predator is making me itch.

 

[bullet]

Hegland, thanks for this post, it is very complete and candid with a lot of common sense stuff disscussed. I like your comment and discription of Remington being blue collar and I think you are right. A lot of blue collar hunters have been able to have a rifle that shoots good, looks pretty good and if you want to dress it up with more accuracy or style it does not cost you an arm and leg to do so. I think you assessment is a good and fair one. Thanks again.

 

[Eagleye]

While I own several other makes of rifles, Remington 700 dominate my collection by a large margin. I bought my first 700 in 1963, and have loved the model ever since. Like others, I like the looks and feel of the New CDL (have 3 already) my CDL in 270 is a very, very accurate rifle, and will shoot a 2¼" group at 300 meters consistently. I also have a number of "Classics" which fit me well. My 8x57 is my favorite Classic, with the 300 Savage nipping at it's heels. I shoot modified 700's in 1000 yard competition, and my 7mm mag "Classic" (unmodified except for a trigger adjustment) has shot 5 shot groups as small as 8" at 1000 in our Hunter class shoot. They have some issues, Occasionally a bolt handle will come off (never happened to me, but a friend had it happen to him) The odd extractor breaks. I don't care for the "Matte" finish on the SPS models, but that is a minor thing, really. Do not care for the BDL stock design, feels a bit bulky in my hands. All, in all, the 700 is a true working man's rifle, and has stood the test of time. Regards, Eagleye.

 

[Hegland]

This isn't necessarily relevant to the original question, but in my mind one of the most redeeming attributes of these guns is that they are born in America. As long as Remington is building them here and pricing them anywhere close to reasonably, I will do my best to support them. I will also likely be supporting Winchester's effort with the new 70 in South Carolina when they get in production!

 

[bullet]

This isn't necessarily relevant to the original question, but in my mind one of the most redeeming attributes of these guns is that they are born in America. As long as Remington is building them here and pricing them anywhere close to reasonably, I will do my best to support them. I will also likely be supporting Winchester's effort with the new 70 in South Carolina when they get in production!

I like your point and it is well made and does fit this Thread. That is the very reason I finally bought again a Weatherby. It was born here and is now being built here. I guess I am just a good old made in the USA guy. Although I have and do own some stuff not made here. I really like the post everyone has made because it has been candid not argumentitive while still covering the facts.