I am thinking of buying a new rifle, and I want something light weight for deer hunting and possibly whacking the odd song dog too. I am thinking about a M7 CDL in either 260 or 7mm-08, or a Mountain rifle in 7mm-08. Anyone with any real world experience with these two rifles? I know they are both essentially M700s, and I have owned my fair share of them with good success, but I am not sure about the lighter weight and shorter barrels. Let me know what you think!
Model 7 CDl or M700 Mountain...help me decide!
- Thread starter Crashman
- Start date
Mountain LSS, in .260 if you can find one...Or 7-08
FWIW, I have a SPS .308 that has a 20" factory barrel, and weighs 7.25lbs with talleys and a VXIII 2.5-8. Practically the same weight as your pics, but I have less $$ in it, including the leupold. (not a nice polished bluing though...)
FWIW, I have a SPS .308 that has a 20" factory barrel, and weighs 7.25lbs with talleys and a VXIII 2.5-8. Practically the same weight as your pics, but I have less $$ in it, including the leupold. (not a nice polished bluing though...)
- Location
- Dah Soo,ON
My dad owns a Model 7 S/S as did Tod Bartell. We were on the subject of them one day and as he put it, the M7 isn't much lighter (if any) than a Model 700 Mtn LSS. And come to think of it the 7mm-08 Mountain LSS weighs the SAME as a Model 7 CDL in a standard action (6 1/2 pounds).
In my opinion (which doesnt count for much) the Model 700 stock is designed better, along with the fact that used (and aftermarket for that matter) Model 700 parts are easier to come by than it's pint sized brother make the Model 700 the clear choice in my book.
But don't get me wrong, both are great guns and I'm sure you'll be more than happy with either.
In my opinion (which doesnt count for much) the Model 700 stock is designed better, along with the fact that used (and aftermarket for that matter) Model 700 parts are easier to come by than it's pint sized brother make the Model 700 the clear choice in my book.
But don't get me wrong, both are great guns and I'm sure you'll be more than happy with either.
I've owned both rifles. I personally like the Model Seven CDL better and would pick that one, hands down.
One of those in 7/08 with a Leupold 2x7 would be the perfect deer rig with enough extra for the odd moose as well.
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My vote would be for the mountain rifle in .260(I have 2 and love them). If you included moose aswell I would have suggested 7mm-08. If you do alot of hunting in really thick bush the shorter barrel on the model seven may be a good feature. FWIW I find the walnut stocked MR feels lighter than the LSS. Atleast more than the 1/8th of a pound remington claims. Nicer looking too (though I did have a stainless laminate fetish a little while ago).
EDIT: Apparently they no longer make the MR in .260, they are around though, the hard part is finding someone who wants to sell. Also, as suggested by SuperCub, a leupold 2-7 seems to fit quite nicely on top of one of these.
EDIT: Apparently they no longer make the MR in .260, they are around though, the hard part is finding someone who wants to sell. Also, as suggested by SuperCub, a leupold 2-7 seems to fit quite nicely on top of one of these.
I find the stock dimension/layout of the Model 7 just feels too... small.
I've handled a M7 extensively recently, and don't like it compared to the 2 or 3 700 Mtn. models that I've owned.
I also find the small action port on the 7 makes it tough to load.
I've handled a M7 extensively recently, and don't like it compared to the 2 or 3 700 Mtn. models that I've owned.
I also find the small action port on the 7 makes it tough to load.
My son is getting married this coming summer to a smaller framed girl she is only 5' tall I joked that I would buy her a rifle as their wedding present she absolutely came unglued jumping around with excitement which totally blew me away, its kind of crazy this little girl that came out west from Toronto is dying to go hunting.
So I'm going to start looking soon for a Rem Model 7 in 7mm-08 if I can't find one in that chambering then it will be a 308 I will be reloading it for her so I can load too her recoil level.
Due to my firearms/hunting experiences I have absolutely no interest in giving her a hunting rifle chambered for a smaller caliber/cartridge I feel it is better to reduce the recoil level and get her to work her proficiency level up then slowly increase the velocities/recoil if she wants me too.
I feel that being able to fit the rifle to her is going to be more important than almost anything else so a wood or laminate stock will be what I am looking for I'll just cut it down to fit her perfectly.
Personally my favorite rifle for years that I just parted with was a Rem 700 Mtn rifle chambered in 280 Rem...
So I'm going to start looking soon for a Rem Model 7 in 7mm-08 if I can't find one in that chambering then it will be a 308 I will be reloading it for her so I can load too her recoil level.
Due to my firearms/hunting experiences I have absolutely no interest in giving her a hunting rifle chambered for a smaller caliber/cartridge I feel it is better to reduce the recoil level and get her to work her proficiency level up then slowly increase the velocities/recoil if she wants me too.
I feel that being able to fit the rifle to her is going to be more important than almost anything else so a wood or laminate stock will be what I am looking for I'll just cut it down to fit her perfectly.
Personally my favorite rifle for years that I just parted with was a Rem 700 Mtn rifle chambered in 280 Rem...
IMHO a Rem 700 makes the nicest overall package in a lightweight rifle. If everything is proportioned just right you will still have a nicely balanced rifle that shoots well offhand.
The model 7 feels odd to me...have not held the new one.
If you want to feel what ugly balance is like pick up a short barreled Ruger lightweight....YUK!
The model 7 feels odd to me...have not held the new one.
If you want to feel what ugly balance is like pick up a short barreled Ruger lightweight....YUK!
Well I just picked up a Remington M700 Mountain Rifle in 280 Remington from the EE forum here. It is being shipped today, hopefully I will have it by the end of the week. I will let you know how I like it! Can't wait!
