Modifying a Remington Model 7 to make it lighter

RobP

RobP

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I have a Model 7 in 358 Winchester that I hunted with this fall. It is reasonably light compared to many other rilfes I've used in the past, but I do a fair bit of walking and would be interested in making it a bit lighter. It currently is in the factory wooden stock, and as it has a 3 hole receiver has a one piece Redfield scope base, STD style steel rings, and a Bushnell Elite 3200 1.5-5x32 scope.
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A couple of changes I was looking at to lighten it some more, was replacing the wooden stock with a composite stock, and likely changing up the scope base/rings to a 2 piece Talley lightweight set up - which would mean having to drill and tap a 4th hole in the rear bridge.

I'd be interested in stock recommendations and other options to lighten it....??

Also, are there export restrictions from the US to Canada on rifle stocks? I can get to the US to a UPS store and regularly have motorcycle parts shipped there and could do the same with the stock if it makes sense.

Thanks,
Rob
 
You are exactly on the right track. A wildcat stock would be my choice, and I have added the 4th hole on multiple 3-holers.
Wildcats are made here in Alberta, are very light, stiff, and affordable. Going to talley lightweights will also cut weight.

After that, you could remove the sights, slab the action, flute and skeletonize the bolt and handle, add a aluminum bolt shroud. But these things cost lots, and lose little.
 
Take all the chit awff it and weigh it.
Sling, scope and that monstrosity rear stock thing.
Probably a pound or so there.
Put the ammo elsewhere.
Find a lighter scope.
Or tie helium balloons to it.
 
kamlooky said:
Take all the chit awff it and weigh it.
Sling, scope and that monstrosity rear stock thing.
Probably a pound or so there.
Put the ammo elsewhere.
Find a lighter scope.
Or tie helium balloons to it.
Click to expand...

All that is on the list too.....well, maybe not the helium balloons....but who knows, maybe it'll help ;)
 
by changing the stock to a wildcat lightweight, ultralight leupy scope, tally base and rings, lighter sling and removing front sight, the weight should be reduced by about 25 oz. the above people have done it to theres. Remember that recoil will go up compared to know. If that is to much, you can always sell the gun ( to my of course) and look for a kimber montana
 
keith mokry said:
by changing the stock to a wildcat lightweight, ultralight leupy scope, tally base and rings, lighter sling and removing front sight, the weight should be reduced by about 25 oz. the above people have done it to theres. Remember that recoil will go up compared to know. If that is to much, you can always sell the gun ( to my of course) and look for a kimber montana
Click to expand...


Or if the recoil becomes uncomfortable he can get it ported to save more weight, or add a muzzle brake.
 
Although I haven't seen it yet, I have a Wildcat Ultralight stock on my switch barrel M-700; the true weight is something like 17 oz without the recoil pad. You can get an aluminum bolt shroud, a titanium firing pin, a trigger with an aluminum housing like the Timney Calvin Elite which is available for the M-7, and the bolt handle can be scalloped and thinned. The barrel can be fluted (if the contour isn't too light for the .358 Bore) but avoid shortening the barrel until you're sure that the rearward shift in balance won't upset the handling qualities of the rifle; the barrel should be long enough that the rifle balances slightly muzzle heavy. Be sure to choose an aluminum scope base. Remington bottom metal is already light weight, but you might benefit from an aluminum follower, if one can be found.

OOPs, looks like most of this has already been covered.
 
remington jim said:
yup- wildcat stock- slab the action both sides - drill and lighten the bolt handle & knob- flute the bolt- lightweight firing pin and bolt schroud - remove front sight- leupold 3-9 ultralight scope in talley one pc Lw rings-bases - Pretty much all that double gun has said ! ;) RJ
Click to expand...

Ditch the scope and base and rings all together, keep the front sight and add a quality rear aperture sight. if you want to truly make it as light weight as possible.
 
Best bang for your buck - swap out the stock with a wildcat, and remove your front sight. After that add the 4th hole and switch to talleys. Still not enough? Buy an aluminum shroud from ptg.

The stock is what will be huge in the weight difference. I have finished many wildcat m7 stocks, and I finish them at 19oz on average. That's fully finished with a decelerator.
 
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Stocks are a controlled item by US Law and require import/export licensing to cross the border in either direction. You can not just buy one in the US and drive back with it legally. You can't pick it up in the US and drive back with it. You can't have a friend in the US bring it up. Import/export licensing is required in advance.


After all this weight reduction you most likely will not be able to shoot this rifle as accurately as now. That is the downside of extremely light rifles.

Best bang for you buck in weight reduction is the stock, the heavy sling and the scope and mounts. Custom alterations are expensive and gain very little.
 
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Unless your handy with a milling machine, I would just park that rifle and drive a new Kimber Adirondack. 4lb 13oz out of the box. Swap out steel trigger guard and it even lighter.
 
double gun said:
You are exactly on the right track. A wildcat stock would be my choice, and I have added the 4th hole on multiple 3-holers.
Wildcats are made here in Alberta, are very light, stiff, and affordable. Going to talley lightweights will also cut weight.

After that, you could remove the sights, slab the action, flute and skeletonize the bolt and handle, add a aluminum bolt shroud. But these things cost lots, and lose little.
Click to expand...

I was going to say Wildcat as well. When PGW was still Prairie Gun Works and they were making lightweight Ti actionned rifles they used Wildcat stocks. Super lightweight and very high quality. And Canadian so there is no paperwork other than the Canada Post delivery card!
 
I'd get another hole drilled in the receiver for a set of Talley four hole lightweights with a small scope like a VXII 1x4 or FXII 4x. Take off the butt thingy and add a 1" nylon sling and call it good.
 
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