Remington's Model Seven in 308 Winchester Part 2

The Remington Model Seven did well with factory ammunition as expected. However, a selection of handloads with a variety of cost effective bullets seemed a reasonable next step. The bullet selection is L-R: 125 grain Remington PSP, 150 grain Winchester Power Point, 165 grain Sierra GameKing, 180 grain Sierra Pro-Hunter, 180 grain Nosler Partition. With the exception of the GameKing all selected bullets are flat base.

Warning: Bullet selections are specific, and loads are not valid with substitutions of different bullets of the same weight. Variations in bullet length will alter net case capacity,  pressure and velocity. Primer selection is specific and primer types are not interchangeable. These are maximum loads in my firearms and may easily be excessive in others. All loads should be reduced by 2%,  and developed following safe handloading practices as represented in established reloading manuals produced by component manufacturers. Presentation of these loads does not constitute a solicitation for their use, nor a recommendation.   Cartridge: 308 Winchester   Firearm: Remington Model Seven   Max COL: 2.800″   Bullet Diameter: 0.308″   Primer: CCI 200   Barrel: 20″   Reloading Dies: Hornady   Max case length: 2.014″   Group: Distance 100 yards – Three shots

COL and Capacity   Load Data & Performance Bullet Type Bullet Weight C.O.L. Inches Case Grains Water   Powder Charge Grains Muzzle Velocity FPS Muzzle Energy Ft/Lbs Group Inches Remington PSP 125 2.565 51.1   Alliant AR Comp 47.0 3061 2600 1.4 Remington PSP 125 2.565 51.1   Hodgdon BL-C2 52.0 3030 2548 1.2 Remington PSP 125 2.565 51.1   Norma 203B 51.0 3050 2582 1.0 Winchester PP 150 2.725 49.6   Alliant R17 50.0 2803 2616 1.2 Winchester PP 150 2.725 49.6   Varget 46.0 2704 2436 1.2 Winchester PP 150 2.725 49.6   Norma 203B 48.0 2818 2644 0.8 Sierra GameKing 165 2.750 49.1   Alliant R17 48.0 2683 2637 1.1 Sierra GameKing 165 2.750 49.1   Benchmark 43.0 2647 2567 0.7 Sierra GameKing 165 2.750 49.1   Win 748 46.0 2727 2725 1.1 Sierra Pro-Hunter 180 2.800 47.7   Alliant R17 47.0 2595 2691 0.6 Sierra Pro-Hunter 180 2.800 47.7   Varget 44.0 2538 2574 1.0 Sierra Pro-Hunter 180 2.800 47.7   Norma 203B 45.9 2594 2640 0.7 Nosler Partition SP 180 2.800 47.1   Alliant R17 47.0 2613 2728 1.2 Nosler Partition SP 180 2.800 47.1   Varget 43.5 2526 2550 1.0 Nosler Partition SP 180 2.800 47.1   Norma 203B 44.0 2555 2609 0.8

So where does this leave us?

The Remington Model Seven is a woodland deer hunter’s rifle and it is a great hog hunter’s rifles. It isn’t a varmint rifle and it isn’t a rifle you’d want to take hunting for very large bear. Not because of the hardware, other than the short 20″ barrel, but more so because of the 308 Winchester cartridge. And I am sure it would drop an elk and I know Maine moose hunters use the combination effectively, so it is a solid deer rifle.

Accuracy is good, even from a warm barrel, although I did not stress test the rifle by burning up the barrel with 20 rounds of ammunition fired rapidly. I just saw no reason as this is not how the rifle would be used, nor how it was intended to be used. However, eight rounds fired within a short period of time, two magazines full, showed no adverse effect on accuracy or group size.

The Remington Model Seven, from the standpoint of durability, reliability of operation when exposed to the element and inclement weather is optimal. The right materials and finish were selected to insure many years of use by the original owner and whoever might follow. Also one of the better looking synthetic stocked rifle, which never hurts. Nice rifle.

Remington’s Model Seven in 308 Winchester Part 1
Remington’s Model Seven in 308 Winchester Part 11