Thinking about purchasing a Model 7 Predator because you can find them fairly cheap. Do not really like the finish. Can the barreled action be bead blasted and then Cerakoted? I assume the finish is dipped. Also how much larger is the barrel vs a sporter barrel? #4 Or 5 ish?
Thanks,
Ansley

I have 2 of them. I'd think you could refinish the barreled action if you wanted to. The barrel is a magnum contour, that is fluted to reduce weight. Not a lot of difference between it and a sporter as far as I'm concerned.

The Seven "magnum" contour is a standard Remington "sporter" contour from the 700 series.

So, for the Seven Predator, you're looking at a standard 700 sporter contour that has been fluted. It should measure .66 at the muzzle.

You can blast off the dipped paint down to bare metal, and put whatever finish on it that you'd desire, including just plain bluing if that suited you.

Yeah, if they had made that rifle with a different metal finish or in stainless, and gave the .223 a 9 twist, they'd probably still be in production.

I like the camo stock.

But the price they're selling at now makes the camo barrelled action look pretty good. Don't know if I'd be willing to spend a bunch to change it.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will keep looking to try and find a deal (<400). My thought was to Cerakote and then a Boyd's or B&C stock. I agree though on spending too much on the project. I really like the fluted barrel though.

I've had 3, currently have 2, both in 223. They all had one thing in common.....they shoot extremely well. Just finished checking the zero on 6 rifles today. after the soybeans were combined, and I could get to my 400 yard range. Shot one of the 223 Predators, using some old 52 grain Speer HP handloads I've had for a while. Hit the 300 yard steel every time. Would they look better without that camo? Maybe. But, I ain't messing with something that works.

Just looked at some today. I'd think just a light AO blast is all that would be needed. It'd be a great base to start. Often an epoxy paint is applied before photo transfer but not sure about Rem OEM. Just a WAG. Or rattle can it.

I'm gonna buy one in .243 and hope it likes the 55 gr Winchester Ballistic Silvertip load that I have a bunch of. I kinda like the finish on the stock and barreled action. I won't be worried about scratching up the finish when using it out of a tractor or the Ranger for coyotes at the Ranch.
And if it's like pretty much every Remington 243 I've owned, they will usually shoot a multitude of loads very well.

FWIW I duracoated mine right over the camo, and put it in a B&C Alaskan stock. The finish has held up surprisingly well...

At the price you can get one for, they are a steal. I am so tempted to buy another one, and I need one like I need a hole in the head. I've been singing the praises of the Predator model ever since I bought one right after they came on the market. I've yet to see one that wasn't a good shooter. I know the gripe about the Predator chambered in 223 is the ROT. BUT......the Predator was designed as a rifle to be used in what was becoming the newest fad, calling coyotes. The 1-12 ROT will easily stabilize the bullets that most coyote hunters use, that being bullets in the 50-55 grain range. You don't need a heavier bullet than that in a 223 to kill stuff, and perhaps that was what Remington was thinking.

My original 223 Predator likes the 50 grain Vmax, and I've killed a bunch of coyotes with it. I tried shooting a 77 grain bullet it, and the results were not good. Anyway, if I feel the need for a bullet in that weight range, I'll go with a 243, and push that bullet a LOT faster and flatter than I ever could with a 223. But, for those that feel the need, a Predator in 1-9 ROT would be nice.