REMINGTON SEVEN PTG ACTION
- Thread starter Mark M.
- Start date
I'm a custom action guy for quality and resale reasons vs spending nearly the same money as a cheaper custom on truing a factory action.
But for a varmint rifle, this ain't a bad deal at all. $505 for a trued up action, ready for a barrel is considerably cheaper than $900 plus a trigger on a custom. A more "premium' custom action will likely hold its value even better. If you figure the resale value of a bone stock used action as say $350, that's only $155 more. I can only assume the ptg actions are reasonably well timed because they come with a new, fitted ptg bolt.
Overall, not what I'd do for a br rifle or a truly high end varmint/hunting rifle, but for a rig you want to use and be a real good shooting rifle, $505 and all it has is pretty hard to argue value over much. Who knows...the ptg actions may outsell a "trued up Remington" simply because of the name on the side and the numbers produced in a rifle like I'm referring to...a gun you use but don't abuse.
I just wouldn't put an exhibition grade stock on any Rem action and expect to get your money back on the stock..IOW.
Keep it a modest but good build and I bet it yields a good value now and down the road.
7315br
Silver $$ Contributor
Mark, my $.02 worth. I've used the Model 7 for a 20 BR in the past. Had trouble finding the kind of stock I wanted, but you should be able to find a suitable walking varminter stock...something like the H-S Precision 2000 Varminter for the Model 7 without to much trouble. If it were me, I'd go with PTG's Blueprinted Model 7, but it would take a while to get it. My current 20 Vartarg is a Stiller Predator V RBLP single shot. It has a coned bolt which I really like. It feeds really nice. Good luck with your choice. 7315br
B23
Gold $$ Contributor
This ^^^^ IMO is good advice. I think the Rem 7/700's can be a great value and they make for an excellent semi custom build. It's when you start trying to fancy up a factory action, like the Rem 7 or 700's, by doing things to it that aren't really necessary like having a side bolt release installed or going to a M16 type extractor when the factory one will work for the application just fine, that you start getting more money into them and you're nearly at what a custom action cost.
As for a full custom shooting better than a semi custom Rem 7/700 build, if both are done right by a qualified smith, 99% of the shooters out there, myself included, are not good enough to squeeze the difference out of a full custom build versus a semi custom.
I currently have three different full custom builds, a Kelbly built by Kelbly, a Stiller built by a top level smith, and a BAT HRPIC also built by a top level smith, as well as many semi custom builds based off of Rem 700's and my semi custom builds shoot every bit as good as my full custom builds.
The whole argument about which one retains its value better is, generally, more about who the gunsmith was that built the gun. Custom builds usually have a higher asking price but they also cost more to build so it's all kinda relative to who built it and how fancy the build is. Return percentage on both types of builds is usually nearly the same. Of course there are exceptions to everything, but they aren't the norm.
I'll also add, for me, the biggest drawback to using the model 7 for a build, versus a 700, would be the available options for a stock. To me, the Rem 700 is kind of the small block Chevy of the firearm world.
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Have you considered a 700 short action for this build??? Don't get me wrong I have two custom Model Seven's and I like them, but for the 1/2" inch or so shorter action I find myself wondering if it's really all that when I think about the limited stocks available and other accessories {scope bases and rings} easily found for the 700. I kind of don't like that little tiny rear tang screw either.
All that said, when it comes to either 700 or Seven, to me, you are always better off to buy just the action if you can because the cold hard fact is that an action is all you are really getting anyway.
I cannot remember the last time I bought either one and didn't toss the pi$$ poor excuse for a barrel, absolutely ridiculous trigger and worthless tupperware stock!! To me you might as well have the aftermarket custom action...it don't cost any more than a whole gun, more than half of which is pretty much unusable.
You asked about "something better for the money spent"...I don't know about better, but if you can live with a 700 short action instead I would suggest you check out the T&L Tech receivers that are made in Lancaster, Pa. One is on my "to do" list.
I understand and I don't mean to sound like I am down on the Seven. I like that it is different and they didn't make as many and you rarely see a custom Seven. In fact, I have quite a bit of parts on the way right now for my next build. The thing about it is that you are limited on the stock for one. You got H.S. Precision at over $400.00, Bell and Carlson at almost $300.00 and if you like wood, Boyd's at somewhere around $200.00 plus. None of them are a whole lot to write home about. The most expensive one doesn't even have a cheek piece.
Scope bases are limited to Warne Maxima's, aluminum Weaver's or Leupold makes a set of the old Redfield style with the two big windage screws.
When I measured the receiver/bolt I get roughly 1/2" difference. If weight is a concern and I understand, ounces feel like pounds at the end of a hunt, it seems like between fluting the bolt and lightening up the receiver you could get a 700 to weight less. Just something to consider, I wasn't sure if you were aware of some of the limitations. Best of luck.
Well I have received all the goodies I ordered and would like to add a few thoughts to my last couple posts regarding the Model Seven. First off, here is what I put together...I ordered the HS Precision stock from Red Hawk Rifles. Great bunch of folks to deal with. It is true, the stock does not have a cheek piece or monte carlo riser. But, all is not lost...it is a high straight back type stock so you still sit up high enough on the stock for perfect {at least for me} eye alignment to the scope. The stock comes with a pressure point thing in the barrel channel, which I left in place to try. The old way was always to glass bed the aluminum bedding block anyway, but I figured I had plenty of time so left it as is too.
I installed a Calvin Elite trigger and since this is going to be a "walking varminter" too, at least in a manner of speaking...in this case the varmint being black bears. I installed a number one contour 26" Pac-Nor 1-in-8 polygonal rifled barrel chambered in 7mm-08. I am very happy how this contour fit the HS stock without any alterations, see below.
For the topside I used Warne Maxima bases and Burris medium Zee rings. I've never been what you might call a "fan" of Asian scopes, but I recently fell in love with the Razor LH with a G4 reticle. A quick trip to the range with a handful of 154 grain Hornady interlocks and she shot a nice group. Still needs the bolt bushed, but I am happy!!! Now to go out today and make sure it will do it twice.....
What are your pros and cons on the razor lh?
Thank you sir!!!
Well, I seem to have this problem of holding the cross hairs on the exact same spot when I am shooting my hunting rifles to see how they group. This particular reticle has a small floating dot and it is easy for me to see exactly where I am holding it in relation to the target. The reticle can be used as a BDC and again, even when used this way it is easy to see exactly where you are holding. They call it a "Light Hunter" and it is not heavy.
It tracks perfectly and I am surprised at the low light performance of the glass. It's no Zeiss or Leica, but it is a very close second and it doesn't have that European price tag either. The turrets allow you to reset them to zero once you zero the rifle and if you catch it on sale the price is right. I have one of both they offer, the 2-10 and the 3-15. It seems to so far be a good solid scope that holds it zero, tracks perfectly and performs very well in low light.
As far as cons...I wish they made a model with that little dot lit. It would be nice to have at least the elevation turret external and it is a one inch tube. Now, if it had all of that I doubt it could be called a light hunter. Honestly, for what this scope was designed for...I cannot really say there are any cons. It's been a while since I bought a gun/hunting related item that I was very happy with, but this scope did it.
I have to say, buy with confidence...it's a lot of scope for the money.
B23
Gold $$ Contributor
I have three of the Vortex Razor HD LH 3-15x42 scopes, two have the dot type reticle and the other has the HSR-4 reticle. For a light weight scope with very good optics, I like them a lot, and that's coming from someone who isn't much of a Vortex fan. It's not a deal breaker, at least it wasn't for me, but my only complaint would be that the turret clicks feel kinda spongy and mushy.
Model 7 walking varminter in .17 Fireball, 20" Pac Nor featherweight, 1-9 three groove, B&C stock, Trijicon 2-10 post reticle, groundhogs out to 400, as long as the wind isn't blowing.
Thanks for posting hog....I knew the B and C stock had a cheek piece, but I was wondering whether or not it was a monte carlo style. Nice looking rifle sir!!!! I have to ask...what's the black thing on the left side of the stock at the wrist???
hogpatrol
Gold $$ Contributor
That's a piece of velcro to attach the switch for the light that mounts on that short rail on top of the scope. I can squeeze it with my fingers, turn on the light and still be able to pull the trigger.
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