Rem M7 "Custom"...done finally.

[Chuck R.]

It looks like it will shoot!

Update:

Barrel "Break-in" completed. 12 degrees today to finish, but NO WIND! Last 3 round group before final cleaning. HAD to put up a clean TGT cause it was shooting pretty well. For those guys that loose sleep over "barrel wear" due to break-in, a whopping 13 rds were used:

1C, 1C, 1C, 1C, 3C, 3C, 3C

While performing break in, I got it roughly zero'd and established the MV for the starting load, while watching pressure. Altogether 2hr endeavor, I did in parts shooting from my back deck.

This was a scratch load using pulled (kinetic puller) 120 Nosler BTs and an average starting powder charge of H4350 (also from the same pulled rounds):



This load averaged about 30 FPS faster than the original barrel. Could just be the barrel, could be a slight increase due to the 3 groove rifling (I was hoping it would work), could just be all of the above, the world will never know..

I've got the actual test loads for Nolser 120BTs done using the OCW method loaded. But before I do any actual load development testing I've got 200 Pri 120 grn OTMs enroute, that I'll load using the min charge and shoot about 50 before doing any real testing. In my experience new barrels "speed up" initially, so I'll get some practice in before testing.

Yesterday I took delivery on 150 Nosler 130 ABs, which is the planned "go to" hunting load for his rifle. Last pic on the new tripod set up:

 

[3850remhep]

Excellent 3 shot groups, what distance?

It certainly looks like that dog will hunt. Viva la Rem Seven.

Chuck, you had we with, "I did in parts shooting from my back deck."

Color me green with envy!

EDIT: I like the tripod set-up with the bag as a cradle rather than a clamp on the tripod securing the rifle.

 

[Chuck R.]

Excellent 3 shot groups, what distance?

It certainly looks like that dog will hunt. Viva la Rem Seven.

Chuck, you had we with, "I did in parts shooting from my back deck."

Color me green with envy!

EDIT: I like the tripod set-up with the bag as a cradle rather than a clamp on the tripod securing the rifle.

Steve,

107 yds on my "ad-hoc" range, which runs from the back deck into a southern wood line, using an IDPA TGT stand. Really small window, but OK for zeroing etc. I shoot off my wife's glass patio table, so not ideal for multiple reasons including wife risk. The "real" Back Deck range runs east to west and goes out to 547, but due to the drop, backstop etc. the closest shot is 407 yds. I prefer to do the 5 minute commute to use the real bench, but when doing brake-in it's easier to shoot, then step inside to clean. I might put some effort into improving it this summer just because it's convenient for zeroing and is about the only area I have that's not subject to &*^% KS winds.

Recognize the TGT on the left?



You can take the boy out of silhouette, but you'll never take silhouette out of the boy! It's just about 385M from the deck.



I'm still playing with the tripod setup. The bag is fast, but IMHO the clamp on ARCA plate is slightly steadier, once you learn how to "load" it. I'm practicing with both, and I'm going to have ARCA plates installed on a couple of my longish range hunting rifles. I bought a lightweight bag from Thunderbird Long Range, called the mini-tacky, with the Git-Lite fill that's pretty compact and 11 ounces, so suitable for hunting.

 

[Nature Boy]

What started with a simple re-barreling, ended up with what's pictured.

Same thing with my FN SPR. Funny how that happens

Nice rifle chuck

 

[The old gunsmith]

Nice rig! That is just about, in my honest opinion, the perfect rifle for pretty much anything the lower 48 has to offer. If I was going to limit myself to one rifle, you just got it.

 

[FL-NC]

Very nice.

 

[Chuck R.]

Same thing with my FN SPR. Funny how that happens

Nice rifle chuck

Thanks! You know the deal..the longer it takes, the more you can surf the net and think up features!

Nice rig! That is just about, in my honest opinion, the perfect rifle for pretty much anything the lower 48 has to offer. If I was going to limit myself to one rifle, you just got it.

Thanks, but honestly IF I was goin to go for an all around, everything in NA, and was still trying to make a light rifle I'd probably go with something like a 300WSM and stretch the barrel another 2". Maybe even a 325WSM, cause there's only one degree of dead and I could load it down for woods hunting. I know guys are shooting elk with the .260 and 6.5C, but I'd prefer a little more oomph incase my opportunity isn't ideal. Buuuut, since I take the "golf club" approach to hunting rifles I'm happy with some specialized stuff.

 

[3850remhep]

Chuck, Seriously cool.

The Turkey is conspicuously clean, no splatters? However, I am now officially a glow in the dark shade of green (envy).

My loving bride and I will be departing the Republic of Texas after she retires later this year, I took an early out at my earliest possibility 13 years ago so I have only emotional ties here. Our son and his wife moved from L.A. to Greenville, SC, ~Labor Day last year and they seem to be settling-in. I could live there, or near-by. Our daughter moved to Boston for grad school and has another two full years. My wife wants a condo there for frequent visits. I said I'll visit the two of you but I'll never reside in Massachusetts. I'm guessing we'll buy a house near Greenville in anticipation of grandkids and I've already dropped serious hints of investment acreage within an hours drive (or less) capable of accommodating a 300 yard firing lane. Many bridges to be crossed, one at a time.

I sometimes miss my years as a regular with the Yaupon Creek Silhouette Shooters Assn. It would take a mighty firm kick in the butt to get me to assume the position at the lead pot again, which still sits right next to the garage door. I've often considered divesting myself of my Browning High Walls and related brass and molds. My one remaining Shiloh (.40-60 Maynard) will be with me for a very long time to come. I've also got a new reamer for .40-82 and a couple hundred pieces of brass tucked into the bowels under my bench.

I did just receive 4K small rifle primers, I already have copious quantities of brass and 2K 77gr 5,56 bullets, I have the dies, I just need to decide on a powder and get it. Baseball is about to happen (hope springs eternal) and I have stuffed many a cartridge listening to the Astros on the radio.

I have a few high end carbon fiber tripods left over from my newspaper days and an assortment of front bags. If I do a tripod rig, I think I would rather replicate a bench rest front rest with a sandbag than any sort of fore end clamp. Trivial issues, really.

--Steve

Steve,

107 yds on my "ad-hoc" range, which runs from the back deck into a southern wood line, using an IDPA TGT stand. Really small window, but OK for zeroing etc. I shoot off my wife's glass patio table, so not ideal for multiple reasons including wife risk. The "real" Back Deck range runs east to west and goes out to 547, but due to the drop, backstop etc. the closest shot is 407 yds. I prefer to do the 5 minute commute to use the real bench, but when doing brake-in it's easier to shoot, then step inside to clean. I might put some effort into improving it this summer just because it's convenient for zeroing and is about the only area I have that's not subject to &*^% KS winds.

Recognize the TGT on the left?
View attachment 1065491


You can take the boy out of silhouette, but you'll never take silhouette out of the boy! It's just about 385M from the deck.

View attachment 1065492

I'm still playing with the tripod setup. The bag is fast, but IMHO the clamp on ARCA plate is slightly steadier, once you learn how to "load" it. I'm practicing with both, and I'm going to have ARCA plates installed on a couple of my longish range hunting rifles. I bought a lightweight bag from Thunderbird Long Range, called the mini-tacky, with the Git-Lite fill that's pretty compact and 11 ounces, so suitable for hunting.

 

[3850remhep]

Thanks! You know the deal..the longer it takes, the more you can surf the net and think up features!

Mission creep

 

[Chuck R.]

Chuck, Seriously cool.

The Turkey is conspicuously clean, no splatters? However, I am now officially a glow in the dark shade of green (envy).

My loving bride and I will be departing the Republic of Texas after she retires later this year, I took an early out at my earliest possibility 13 years ago so I have only emotional ties here. Our son and his wife moved from L.A. to Greenville, SC, ~Labor Day last year and they seem to be settling-in. I could live there, or near-by. Our daughter moved to Boston for grad school and has another two full years. My wife wants a condo there for frequent visits. I said I'll visit the two of you but I'll never reside in Massachusetts. I'm guessing we'll buy a house near Greenville in anticipation of grandkids and I've already dropped serious hints of investment acreage within an hours drive (or less) capable of accommodating a 300 yard firing lane. Many bridges to be crossed, one at a time.

I sometimes miss my years as a regular with the Yaupon Creek Silhouette Shooters Assn. It would take a mighty firm kick in the butt to get me to assume the position at the lead pot again, which still sits right next to the garage door. I've often considered divesting myself of my Browning High Walls and related brass and molds. My one remaining Shiloh (.40-60 Maynard) will be with me for a very long time to come. I've also got a new reamer for .40-82 and a couple hundred pieces of brass tucked into the bowels under my bench.

I did just receive 4K small rifle primers, I already have copious quantities of brass and 2K 77gr 5,56 bullets, I have the dies, I just need to decide on a powder and get it. Baseball is about to happen (hope springs eternal) and I have stuffed many a cartridge listening to the Astros on the radio.

I have a few high end carbon fiber tripods left over from my newspaper days and an assortment of front bags. If I do a tripod rig, I think I would rather replicate a bench rest front rest with a sandbag than any sort of fore end clamp. Trivial issues, really.

--Steve

Steve,

Turkey's clean cause I spend more money on spray paint a year than some guys do in ammo...

Good luck with the move! Probably the most stressful time for most people. Even with the help of the transportation folks I hated doing it each and every time I PCS'd. I think I've got one move left, but I won't be taking anything with me for that one.

Coming from RI originally, I too would avoid New England at all costs, just expensive and the shooting opportunities for distance are a little limited. Good luck in SC!