I want a 16" Remington Model 700

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I really want to hack off a perfectly good Model 700, likely an ADL, to the minimum length available w/o jumping through NFA hoops. I think a 16" .308 or 30-06 would be the proverbial cat's rear for a carrying bolt gun. Of course I already own a full length 700 and an AR-15 carbine but I think this would be a neat rifle to fit in between.

Is this do-able at all? I know I will lose quite a bit of velocity/energy/accuracy but it would be mainly for an out in the woods kinda gun, with capability of taking deer/bear out to 300yds I'm hoping. Set it up with a 4x Leupold and a nice leather sling. :cool: Am I out of my mind? Will I go broke having a gunsmith cut it down and recrowning the muzzle?
 
Why a Model 700?

When there are some really nice Model 7 lightweight, short rifles out there. The current Model 7 CDL weighs only 6.5 lbs with a 20" barrel, shorter and lighter than a comparable short-action Model 700. Cut it down to the minimum legal length, maybe a solid 16.5" for safety's sake, and you'll have your backpack rifle.

smsil_sevencdl.jpg


http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_seven/model_seven_CDL.asp

Regarding velocity loss, figure 25-50 fps per inch of barrel. This will be a close-range woods rifle, right? Keep shots reasonable for the 100-200fps lesser velocity, and you should have no problems putting venison on the table.
 
Oh I do love the Model 7 but I think it about out of the question as far as price goes. I can get a new Model 700 for $325 and I think the 7's are $600+. Then again, if I waited a while it wouldn't be so much an issue but I don't make a whole lot of money these days.

Yeah, I can afford a Bushy M4 so I can afford a Model 7 but that cuts into my planned SBR AR project funding. So many guns, so little cash...
 
I know I will lose quite a bit of velocity/energy/accuracy
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you are more likely to gain accuracy (shorter barrels are stiffer).
velocity and energy go hand-in-hand so if you lose one, you lose the other by definition... however, how much, or if you lose depends on the chambering, and the efficiency of the load. ie, as an experiment, i took an 8x57 milsurp w/ a 29" barrel, and had it lopped off 3 times. twice in 5" increments, and once in 2.75" (barrel wound up at 16.25"). i lost somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 f/s total. i handload, and that may have had a lot to do w/ it, but, the example stands.

many people think you lose accuracy w/ shorter barrels. not true - the gun is potentially more accurate, but the shooter loses sighting plane, making the shooter less accurate. if you are using a scope, the point is moot.

btw, cut & crown will cost ya about $50. i found, in all my playing and experimenting, that 17-18.5" is about right for a handy brush gun. my favorite is 18". shorter than that and the gun becomes obnoxiously loud. longer is superfluous in a brush gun.
 
Thanks Guys!

I never really thought of the loudness factor much. Could definately be an issue considering the serious ouch factor and muzzle blast of a 16" 5.56 rifle! I guess 18" would still be 4" shorter than the 700 I use now which would make a big difference. If I can get my preferred gunsmith to do it for $50 or so this would be alot cheaper than I expected!
 
Personally I think a 18 inch barrel for the 223 and 20 for a 308 are the shortest lengths you want to go for a handy "sniper" rifle.

Anything shorter than those lenghts in their respective calibers and you might as well be carrying a carbine.
 
I grew up shooting my friends 18" Remington M788 w/Redfield 3x9 AccuTrac. Made a great camp/scout gun.
 
If you want one that is super short- Dont use a long action one to begin with!

The Remington long action is LONG!, closer to magnum lenght in other makers. Find a .308, dont use a .30-06.
 
A second hand .308 bolt action and a visit to about any gunsmith worthy of the name will fix you right up.
Ballistics? Springfield is selling 16" M1As as fast as the magazine writers can advertise them, can't be too bad.
 
You could try Ruger.

The frontier rifle is a 16" bolt action .308 with scout rail for $500. Great rifle, and accurate out of the box.
Steve.
 
Another thought...

For even less money, you can get a NEF Handi-Rifle in something like 7mm-08. And it comes with the scope mount. You give up a magazine, but in return for being willing to load each round from your pocket, you get...

1. 22" barrel but a total length of 38" with an adult LOP of 14.25" and a recoil pad.
2. Takedown design for packing.
3. Relatively light weight.
4. Street price of $250 new.

Or you could consider one of their new rifle/shotgun combos, or a stainless model so you don't have to worry about rust or scratches while packing.
 
Thanks for the suggestions folks, but I'm really a Remington fan thru and thru. I don't like Weatherbys, blasphemy, I know, but they just don't feel right to me. The CZ looked interesting until the picture finished loading and it has a large growth under the action. As far as the NEF Handi-Rifle goes, got one (30-30 + 20ga), and I like it alot but it's not really what I'm looking for here.

16" 30-06? That's an argument for a suppressor if I've ever heard one!
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Not in this state :(

Springfield is selling 16" M1As as fast as the magazine writers can advertise them, can't be too bad.
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Excellent point, now if only I could get one myself. :(
 
It's not blashphemy at all. I like my walnut Weatherby, but I shoot a lot of shotgun now so I appreciate a good cheek-weld. It would have felt really weird to me until recently.

But I'll concur with those who say that a .30-06 is a poor choice, since you can get a longer barrel in the same OAL rifle, with lighter weight, using a short action.
 
I know I'm going to be laughed at, but is there anything in the bullpup design that would be good for this? I know they're a lot shorter in design. Other than that, you should go for it, worst that could happen is that you ruin a $350 gun. :neener:
 
I want a 16" Remington Model 700

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I really want to hack off a perfectly good Model 700, likely an ADL, to the minimum length available w/o jumping through NFA hoops. I think a 16" .308 or 30-06 would be the proverbial cat's rear for a carrying bolt gun. Of course I already own a full length 700 and an AR-15 carbine but I think this would be a neat rifle to fit in between.

Is this do-able at all? I know I will lose quite a bit of velocity/energy/accuracy but it would be mainly for an out in the woods kinda gun, with capability of taking deer/bear out to 300yds I'm hoping. Set it up with a 4x Leupold and a nice leather sling. Am I out of my mind? Will I go broke having a gunsmith cut it down and recrowning the muzzle?
Click to expand...

Just a different thought.

What about a Marlin 336 with the new plastic tipped ammo. Since you want a handy woods gun capable of shots out to 300 yards. You ought to be able to find a good used one for around $180.00.
 
What about a Marlin 336 with the new plastic tipped ammo. Since you want a handy woods gun capable of shots out to 300 yards. You ought to be able to find a good used one for around $180.00.
Click to expand...

That would make too much sense.:p
 
C'mon now guys!

If I were to get a lever gun it would have to be a Winchester 94, not that the Marlin is a bad gun, it's just not a Winchester. That and I already have a 94-22 and a Marlin just wouldn't look right beside it. :)
 
i say go for it. it shoulddnt cost you too much to have the barrel cut down and recrowned. also, if you end up with a wood stocked rifle, ask the gunstock to drill out some of your butt-stock to make it a little bit lighter.
 
it's just not a Winchester
Click to expand...

...which is a compliment to the Marlin.:p

The 9422's were nice, though.

Hey, why don't you just go chop a 700? I fail to see why you are asking for advice.
 
I really didn't know if it would be okay or cost prohibitive to chop down a model 700 to the 16"-18" range. I will consider this THR's blessing and I will post pictures when I finish my "hack job". Hopefully sometime this year! :)

Thanks again folks!
 
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