I am considering having a stainless Rem Mod 7 (currently in 7mm-08) rebarreled to 338 Federal. Just wondering if anyone has any insight regarding potential problems, e.g. magazine length, feeding, etc. I see that Shilen is offering through Midway a match grade, short chambered 338 Fed barrel in SS, 25 inches long with 1 in 10" twist. for the Rem 700 standard contour. Would appreciate constructive comments and suggestions.
NRA Life Member
Posts: 302 | Location: South Central PA | Registered: 22 April 2004
Why anyone would want a 25" bbl on a Model 7 is beyond me. Sorta defeats the purpose doesn't it?.
Anyway, the 338 Federal is loaded to the same OAL as the 308 since it was designed to function through the same actions. No nasty surprises awaiting you. Me, I'd stick a any lite-weight premium bbl on it no longer than 22" and preferably 20" and have fun with a great round. American rifleman just had a great article on it.
Actually, I wasn't suggesting using the Shilen barrel I mentioned. It's the only one I've seen that is available through Midway or Brownells. I too would rather have a light weight barrel. But I'd go no shorter than 22". Don't know if this project will ever get out of the planning stage, but it's something I'm considering.
NRA Life Member
Posts: 302 | Location: South Central PA | Registered: 22 April 2004
Remington's M-7 (mine is a CDL in 260 Rem) is a super nice rifle and with a 338 chambering it's about to be a true elk rifle with a lot of energy.
Keep the barrel at the 20" fitting the mineature stature of the rifle and go hunting. I'm not sure this is a lot better than a 308 Win in this model but it's a helluva lot of power in a light rifle.
But then a M-700 Mountain rifle in 35 whelen isn't much different (except for a lot more energy) in a full size but lightweight package.
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Posts: 28849 | Location: western Nebraska | Registered: 27 May 2003
Hey Shootit, If you were planning to do the change "yourself", I doubt you would be asking this question. So, I'd guess your thoughts are to get the barrel and take it along with the rifle to a Gun Smith and have him do what you want.
If there is a problem with the barrel, you are creating a bad situation for the Gun Smith, because he would not be responsible for it. And you would go through a miserable cycle of having it removed, given back to you, you returning it to Midway, etc.
Due to that, I'd encourage you to simply select a good Gun Smith in your area, take the rifle to him, tell him what you want done and let him buy the barrel to install on it. That way if there are any problems at all, you only have the one man to deal with.
Sounds like a fine Cartridge - ALMOST as good as a 358Win!
Posts: 9920 | Location: Carolinas, USA | Registered: 22 April 2001
Hot Core, You're right. I limit my work to the wood only and am not set up nor experienced in barrel swapping. I've been sending my work to Mark Skaggs in Oregon. IMO he does good work at very reasonable prices. I'll probably do the same with this project; just wanted to get pros/cons before proceeding. The Model 7 I am thinking of using is an extra that I do not otherwise use. Guess I could sell it and buy that Tikka or just use my Whelen and forget about the 338.
NRA Life Member
Posts: 302 | Location: South Central PA | Registered: 22 April 2004
the 338 Fed will fit in the Model Seven like it were made for it....I just rebarreled a stainless M7 to 358 Winny with a 22" stainless tube..... some seem to think otherwise but a Model Seven and a short 700 share the same mag length and are functionally the same.....
it added a bit of weight to the front end which was a good thing, the original 20" slim 308 barrel was very light. It's in a B&C stock and the guy loves it. It weighs 7-3/4# with an Elite 3200 3-9X on top. I'm building one very similiar but mine will have a short 700 stainless action and an LVSF stock...in 350 Rem Mag....I had a laminated stock M7 with a stainless 22" 243 barrel in it that was also nicely balanced in weight and handling. I think a 22" barrel in a Model Seven is about as good as it gets for handling. All the M7's in the SAUM's have 22" barrels.
Before you build, you might call rem or wait, I think they may build a 338F in the factory gun, saving you $$, but otherwise, I would trade for a Tikka, ready to go with good barrel in the length you want.
