Anybody have a Remington Model Seven pseudo-scout?

[MatthewVanitas]

Greetings. I have a great fondness for carbines (being that I'm 5'6"), and feel the appeal of the simple and reliable bolt-action rifle. The main bolt-rifle I've owned was a No. 4 Enfield, which had great sights, but was awfully bulky.

I'm considering getting a Remington Model Seven in .308, being that said rifle feels great when I've handled it in the shop. It fits my frame quite well, and seems a durable yet graceful weapon.

Any fans of the Model Seven that can compare it to similar bolt carbines? (Ruger, Kimber, CZ, Winchester?)

Further, have any owners set theirs up with a LER scope, in imitation of the scout rifle? Overall impressions?

I like the various models available. Would love the 6.5-08 (260 Rem), but would probably be better off with the .308 since I don't handload.

Greatly appreciate any info. Thanks, -MV

 

[Johnny Guest]

I believe I've seen only one - -

- -Model 7 scout that I've examined. Owner, a skilled machinist, went the whole distance - - Custom forward mount, using the pre-drilled holes at front of action for the rear. Leupold 2.75X IER scope, three recessed sockets for Ching Sling, Clifton stock with retractable bipod and sliding top cartridge trap. He even machined a slot to receive stripper clips for loading the magazine. I don't recall what kind of backup iron sights he mounted. This was NOT a low budget rifle. Started it before the Steyr Scout was available, it would far exceed the cost of a Steyr to duplicate.

I never shot that particular rifle, so I can't address the accuracy issue. Knowing the owner of this Rem 7, I doubt he'd keep it if it wasn't at least acceptably accurate. Speaking of which, the Scout concept is for an all around field rifle, NOT a target piece or varmint gun. Its glory is handiness and speed - - The ability to put a bullet within an inch or two of point of aim at short notice.

And, speaking of which, I've been happy with my Savage Scout. I got it new, did the "barrel break in" process while awaiting my Leupold Scout Scope. It has perhaps the best factory iron sights I've seen on a commercial big bore rifle. I put the scope on the factory-furnished mount, installed a third sling stud, and sighted in. I can start standing with rifle slung, and on signal, sling up, drop to sitting, and bust a soft drink can well beyond 100 yards, inside four seconds, every time. I'll do the same at 200 with a one-pound coffee can. With a solid rest (field position, NOT a bench rest,) and double the time, I'll pop that can at 300 - - with 165 gr. hunting loads. Not a varmint rifle, but it'll handle anything I'll need to shoot. That said, I LIKE shooting rifles and have a couple more with which i want to hunt . . . .

Best,
Johnny

 

[CaesarI]

http://www.angelfire.com/nv/fixer/scout.html

not mine, but the owner was very satisfied. IIRC he is a member of THR.

I believe that the Kimber 84M would be a superior platform (as long as you are right handed), due to:
-controlled round feed
-greater magazine capacity
-lighter weight (5lbs w/ synthetic stock)

The Remington Model 7 has the advantage of being a few hundred dollars cheaper to start with.

References:
Excerpts from "To Ride..." by Jeff Cooper
Scout Rifle Conference
Geoff Beneze's notes

-Morgan

 

[Sulaco]

I don't know about all of that scout stuff, but I had one in 7mm-08 and in .243 Winchester. The .243 Winchester was more accurate, kicked less and killed Whitetails dead. I shot it out but could hold a ragged hole group with it until the end (at 100 yards on a fixed 4x Leupold).

 

[jimmyp50]

I had a blue model 7 in 308 with 18 inch barrel, wood stock and 2.5 x 8 Leupold VIII. I killed 8 or so deer with it in the late 90's. I was a handy gun but no matter what I tried I could not get it to shoot into better than 3 inches off a bench at 100 yards. It will also give you a pretty sharp rap with 180 grain bullets especially off the bench. It wore me out quickly. Also every one in the wood knows that you have pullled the trigger on that one, it was the loudest rifle I have owned. That all said, I think half my accuracy problems were just holding it steady. If I could find one like that in 260 I would buy it in a second. The scout concept I would not touch. Let someone who has one let you use it in low light before you go that route. Get a low power 1.5 x 5 or something and put it in the regular place. Just my opinion of course. jimmyp

 

[Steve Moses]

It may be just me, but I much prefer the 7mm-08 to the .308. For some reason, .308 recoil in a light rifle just crosses the line of being tolerable. My Savage 10 Sierra with a Decelarator recoil pad can be shot all day, and just hammers deer and pigs. It will shoot into an inch with Winchester Ballistic Silvertips.
I am restricting my comments to caliber. No experience with the Model Seven, although I chose the Savage over it.

 

[Steve Moses]

One more thing- I don't care for IER scopes. IMO, they suck scummy pond water in low light. A conventional 3x scope or 1.5-5x is fast and gathers light very well if it has a 32 or 40mm objective. I do a lot of pig hunting in low light and am quite opinionated. This is one of my less attractive qualities.