Remington’s Model 7 & 783
For many years now my all-time favorite deer rifle for hunting whitetails anywhere in the east has been Remington’s Model Seven. Most people are not aware of the fact that the Model Seven action is not just the short iteration of the Model 700. Nope, the Model Seven’s action — bolt, receiver and bottom metal unit — are about 1/2-inch shorter and commensurately lighter.
Some variants have come and gone over the years, but mine is still a current model; it’s the synthetic stock version with an all-stainless barreled action in 7mm-08. With its 20-inch barrel and an overall weight of 6 1/2 lbs. it is one of the best balanced, fastest-handling carbines one could wish for. However, this year Remington upped the Model Seven another notch with the introduction of an all-stainless version bedded in an H-S Precision stock.
I don’t think there’s a single SCI member who isn’t familiar with this Rapid City-based firearms manufacturer who this year is celebrating its 40th anniversary. H-S Precision has long since been a full-fledged self-sufficient gun manufacturer, but the company started first as a barrel maker employing cut rifling before it became known for its composite stocks hand-laid around an aluminum bedding block chassis.
So well regarded are H-S Precision stocks that besides Remington; Howa, Weatherby and Savage also use their stocks for their most accurate rifles. This new Model Seven SS-H-S cuts a full half-pound off the 6 1/2-pound Model Seven Synthetic that wears an injection molded handle. Offered in .243 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 or .308 Win., this newest Model Seven carries an MSRP of $1,149.
Also new this year from Remington is the Model 783 Varmint Laminate. Call it value priced, entry level, budget class — whatever, it’s Remington’s answer to the average price points of equivalent Mossberg and Savage bolt-action centerfire rifles.
This newest Model 783 sports a 26-inch varmint-weight barrel that should provide an edge in accuracy and velocity, yet with a laminated stock it weighs a surprisingly light 8 1/2 pounds. Offered in .223 Rem., .22-250 Rem., .243 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor or .308 Win. MSRP is $625.–Jon R. Sundra
