Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Remington 700 vs Model 7?

If a guy was going to buy a 300 WSM and was looking at the model 700 and the model 7 why go one way or the other? They are both short action, so please educate me on the difference between the two or which is the better choice. I have a few 700's, but have never owned a model 7. Thanks

The model 7 is shorter than the model 700 short action, for the WSM's I like the 700 long action myself so you can seat the bullets out a bit.

I have a couple Model 7's and I find them to be a little handier than the short action 700's. Really like them and they both shoot very well. One of them is the older model with the 18 1/2" tube which I find to be a little short, prefer the 20" barrel.

The 700 BDL short action weighs 2 lb. 4 oz. The model 7 weighs 2 lb. 2 oz. I prefer the 700 longer magazine box over the 2 oz. weight savings of a model 7. Also, there is a plethora of after market parts for the 700 action.

depends on what your using it for....long range gun the 700, normal hunting either is fine though i kinda like the 7, my wife has one in 7-08 and its a neat lil action even if the weight savings arent substantial....if i didnt have the Kimber Montana i would prolly have looked at building a 7 in 260....

I'm a little confused here. Doesn't the model 7 and the model 700 short action both have the same box length? The model 7 bolt opening is a little longer, which I like. I think Steelhead posted a picture one time of them side by each. miles

There is no difference in mag box on a 7 vs 700. Not a bit [edit - now that I think about it, I think you can go with a Wyatt's box on the 700, but not the 7 - but I am out of my realm on that one]

The rear bridge of the 7 is a tad shorter. Tons more after market parts for the 700, though I have 3 different 7s and haven't found myself wishing it was a 700 due to some aftermarket part availability. I love the 7s

Some will criticize the smaller rear action screw on the 7 as well but I have never seen or credibly heard of any problems with them.

I've got a 20" Stainless/synthetic 7mm-08, that in all honestly has treated me very well over the years.

It is very whippy feeling though, I've read the same comments from others on here and a simple albeit expensive solution is to stick it in an edge stock.

It was my go to White tail rifle for numerous years, but than along game a Mountain Guide 7mm-08 and it's lighter and I prefer the 22" barrel.

I have a few of both and think that building on a 700 SA can be less expensive than building on a 7 because of all the new and used after-market and OEM parts that are available for it. For example, we regularly see 700 SA McM stocks for sale here on 24-HCF, but seldom see them for the 7, probably on a ratio of better than 20 to 1.

The 700 SA and 7 use the same magazine box, follower, and follower spring, so if OAL of the cartridge is a factor in your decision, there is no advantage either way you go.

FWIW, I have 7mm SAUMs with both 22" (Rem 7) and 24" (Rem 700 SA) barrels and prefer the 24" barrel. The longer heavier contour barrel balances this rifle, with a 700 CDL laminated stock, better. If I was building a mountain rifle that I would be carrying in steep/rugged terrain, I'd probably go for the shorter lighter contour barrel, but otherwise the 24" would be my personal choice.

Jeff

Thanks to all who took the time to answer. This purchase is not for sure, but always looking and wondering which rifle next.

I've got SS Model Sevens in 260 Rem and 308 Win. Both nice rifles and a joy to carry.

if I'm not mistake I believe my Mdl 7 in 300 WSM has a 22" barrel

a lot of round for a very compact rifle but not as bad as my 350 mag in a old KS mdl 7..


it shoots very well BTW.

Please avoid the advice of those who say the 700 box is somehow longer than the Seven--they obviously do not know what they are talking about. They use identical boxes.


Why do people bother posting about things to which they don't know the real answers????????

I own over 20 rifles and the recoil from my Model 7 CDL in 300WSM is the sharpest and most uncomfortable of all my rifles. I would venture to say, this rifle has cut me at least every other time it has gone to the range with me. And I aint no sissy.
George

Put a Brown KS stock on it, and it will change the dynamics in a hurry. The factory Seven stock is not that pleasant for recoil.

Hey Guys -

I don't own a 7 but I've handled quite a few at gun shows, pawn shops, dealers etc.

For whatever reason it doesn't fit me. Seems awkard & short. Maybe it's just personal ergonomics but the 700s fit me like a glove, and esp. w/proper scope fit.

No reason to pick a M7 over a M700.

I'm inclined to agree...Ive got them both, and prefer the 700...cant really say why, but I do. The M7 stocks don't do much for me, just replaced one with a B&C Alaskan and that was a definite improvement...

Here's a side-by-side to show the working difference as far as access goes. I prefer the more generous opening of the 7 for cold weather and general arthritic thumb access.

I'd have to agree that the Remington factory specs stocks for the Model Seven have often been inferior to those on the 700s. The synthetic stocks have been heavy and most of the wood stocks, birch/laminated/walnut, have had that ugly XXXL schnabel that looks a little like Jimmy Durante's nose hung on the end of the forearm. However, if you put a Model Seven action into a McM Compact or Mountain Rifle style stock, most folks would be hard pressed to tell the difference.

The point being that, more than anything else, the Model Seven's Achilles Heel is the poor (and limited) factory stock options.

Jeff