Thinking about purchasing a new rifle 7MM Rem Mag

[thefirstndsecond]

Ok,

I am looking into purchasing a new rifle. I have and love my 700 in 30-06.

I am looking for a 7MM Rem Mag.

I am considering the following:

Howa 1500 - stainless barrel synthetic stock

Remington - 700 SPS stainless - 26" barrel

Remington XCR II 24" barrel

SAKO 85 finnlight - 24"

- I very much like the SAKO. It is on the high end.

- I have held the HOWA but the bolt - has three holes in it and I have no idea why.

- I have always had Remington's but recently a friend of mine who is a competitive shooter made a purchase, found issues with the rifling, throat, and Remington was unresponsive. He changed to the Howa action and used his customer stock.

What do you think?

[BrowningBoy]

I have a Remington 700 BDL Stainless Synthetic in 7mm Rem. Mag. that I purchased in the mid 90's and it has always been extremely accurate. I also have a Remington classic in 35 Whelen. I love both of my 700's but both have been living with me for going on 20 years so I don't know about Remington's current quality.

[Tim Ault]

If it were me I would also give serious consideration to Savage and the Tikka ,Your right though Remingtons quality is in no way what it use to be.


Tim

[IronButt]

I like the 7mm Mag. I have one in a Savage & one in Ruger M77. There's nothing wrong with Remingtons, but I really prefer the Mauser type actions, like Ruger & Winchester. Just my $0.02.

[harold63]

Out of the ones you listed, go with the Rem. If not the Rem., I would look at Savage before the others you listed. JMHO. I know the XRC comes with 26" barrels, if it is the magnum. Does the XCR II come with the 24" barrel in the magnums? If it does, then that is my choice. Two inches does not sound like much, but with a hot barrel, it can be a lot, especially with barrel flop. 24" is plenty long enough for pin point accuracy, as well.

I do not know of Rem's quality going by the wayside. My son has a 770 in 300WM, and Rem. has been very helpful in guiding me through a couple of issues. Also, they sent me a new part for it, free of charge, almost two years after the warranty expired. I realize the 770 is not a great piece, but it is accurate, as long as you get the stock bugs out of it, and don't let the barrel get too hot, which in itself can be fixed by knocking it down to a 22 or 24"er.

[thefirstndsecond]

Mauser type actions, like Ruger & Winchester

A friend of mine suggested a Mauser type extractor as well. But he sold his ruger because he didn't like the trigger.

I love the trigger on my 700. But it is older from the 70's.

I thought about tikka and it is also in the running. I was trying to stay around 700 range and spend 500 on the scope. Hence the reason not going straight for the sako.

I am surprised at the savage comments. I never really liked savage products except the new 20ga bolt action I am thinking about getting at the end of 2011.

[dk99358]

The three holes in the Howa bolt are most likely to allow gas from a pierced primer/blown case to vent out the side instead of coming back towards your face. Ruger has large ovals that face down into the magazine to accomplish the same thing.

Your buddies Ruger was probably the Mark II model, the trigger on the Hawkeye has been redesigned and is supposed to be very good.

My Tikka (a 7mm-08) has a great trigger and shoots very well.

Dale

[thefirstndsecond]

Just looked at Browning X bolt. Very nice gun.

SO list continues:
7MM Rem Mag.

Howa - http://www.howa1500.com/item/67100_H...1500_Hogu.aspx


Browning X bolt- 26" http://www.browning.com/products/cat...84%A2-firearms
(Held the X bolt today and it felt great)


Tikka - 24" - http://www.tikka.fi/pdf/specs/LiteStainless.pdf
don't know if I would like the Tikka because from the sounds of it I am not able to open the bolt with the gun on Safe.

SO the Remington is out which was a difficult choice for me

[dk99358]

don't know if I would like the Tikka because from the sounds of it I am not able to open the bolt with the gun on Safe.

That is correct. It also means the bolt cannot be opened by a branch as you walk thru the brush. And I much prefer that.

Point the gun in a safe direction, open the bolt, drop the magazine. Been doing it for years with all my rifles, as have millions of other hunters.

Dale

[shooker8]

Hunting in the state of Wyoming 7mm are what we take out. I really like how they shoot.