I visit these forums on occasion but do not believe I have ever started a thread here. That being said I (At the advice of my brother Fjold) recently got in contact with Gunsmith John Farner here and had an old Remington 700 7mm Magnum rebuilt. John trued up the action and bolt and also replaced the bolt knob with a larger one. He installed an oversized recoil lug and pinned it in place. A new fluted SS Keieger 8 twist barrel in Remington varmint contour was installed and chambered in 7mm Remington Magnum. John threaded the barrel and installed a Vais brake blended to match the barrel contour and also supplied a thread protector cap for use when the brake is not being used. After all of the machine work was completed John Cerakoted the barreled action and bottom metal then skim bedded everything into my B&C Tactical Medalist stock. After bedding a NF 20 degree base on top John returned my rifle to me.
The rifle looks great and to my surprise during break in I found it shoots at least as good as it looks. I chose the fast 8 twist barrel because I wanted to shoot long heavy bullets. The Barnes 168LRX bullets call for an 8 twist. Well after doing a little shoot and clean with an old box of factory cartridges I tried a few different hand loads using Retumbo and the 168LRX bullets at .050 off the lands. I was not overly impressed with what I saw but not worried because this was my first trip to the range. I brought a box of 150 TTSX hand loads that shot well in the old barrel and was surprised when they produced a sub 1/2" 5 shot group. A few days later I loaded up some more of the 168 LRX bullets with lighter charges of Retumbo and started to see some smaller groups. I brought along 3 of the old 150TTSX cartridges and shot a bug hole. 3 shots went into .099". I measured the seating depth and found that the 150 grain loads were .020 shorter than the 168 grain loads. Needless to say I am going to try the 168 grain bullets seated .070 off and see if that helps shrink the groups with the preferred bullets.
I am very happy with all of Johns work and if anyone is in need of a gunsmith, I would recommend you give John Farner a call at Eagle Machine Gunsmithing.
BTL

John's quality workmanship has been well recognized here on AR for some years now.

John is good and is a pleasure to do business with.

I would be interested in some photos of the rifle.