OK, I screwed it up big time this weekend. Went out to check zero on a couple of guns and sight in a couple of more (Rem. Mdl. 30 30-06 and Win 70 push feed 7 Mag. that I had remounted a scope on.) Started with the Rem 30 and it looks like the 2 piece Weaver mounts that came on it are not aligned correctly. Closest I could get it bore sighted was 2 ½ feet off at 100. Put it aside for another day. Picked up the model 70 and checked it. Looked good through the bore and then the trouble began. I have used a Sweeny type bore sighter since 1972. However, it seems to have disappeared into the vast unknown. So, a couple of years ago, I bought a Tasco laser sighter that fits on the end of a spud in the muzzle. Yep, I bet you can smell what happened already. Bore sighter confirmed what I already knew and so I settled the 70 into the bags, dry fired a couple and chambered a round. KaBOOM, kick like Hell and my buddy is saying I missed the target. No Sh!# says I, look at the muzzle. Classic split for about 4 inches back. Ole dumbass (me) had left the bore sighter in! So after 52 years of shooting, I really messed up. Fortunately the only thing hurt was the gun, my pride and ego (and they will both heal). However, I feel that I should share this so that others might think and avoid the same sinking feeling I had after that shot. The ole Sweeny always was in the scope. Those slick new lasers don’t even show up.

Now that I have shortened, squared and cut a new crown on it, I have a 19 ¾†barreled flame thrower. I haven’t shot it yet, but it sure feels handy. Can someone with experience with a 7 Mag this short tell me what to expect in terms of losses and about what will it be the equal of? 280 Rem? Or ?

Also anyone got a like new or new takeoff for a Win 70 push feed in 7mm Rem Mag? This ole gun looked like heck but I got in for a bargain price 15 years ago and after working up a couple of loads that would group under an inch, it was regulated to a check zero, shoot game, put it away till next year gun. A good useful boring tool.

BTW, we never found the laser or the front sight ramp.

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Also anyone got a like new or new takeoff for a Win 70 push feed in 7mm Rem Mag?

The local shop has one that I've been eyeing but as a .264 project. I'd remove the 7mm Rem Mag barrel and install a .264 Win Mag barrel but wasn't sure what the 7mm barrel was worth.....it appears to be like new! PM me an offer and maybe I'll buy the gun for the action and send you the barrel!
Vapo

Have the tube scoped---may or may not be good anymore.

A month ago a customer brought me his Nylon 66 with a laser boresighter stuck in the barrel after he fired the rifle with it installed, so don't feel too bad, lots of people seem to be doing this.

To fix the Remington I cut about 2.5" off the barrel and recrowned it. He didn't want the front sight reinstalled and I got the boresight out of the piece of barrel so he could send it back to the manufacturer for replacement.

To the matter at hand.
You now have a 19 3/4" 7mm Mag.

I have done a bunch of hunting with 308's and 375 H&H's with barrels from 18 to 20" with great results.

First I would shoot the 7 Mag with factory and/or handloads.
High velocity with light bullets is not necessarily the best approach, I would look at using powders in the IMR 4350 range with bullets in the 160/175gr weight range.

If the rifle does not shoot good, then rebarrel.

I'm almost positive I have a 7mm take-off for your Winchester. Give me a call today in the shop and I'll check, but I know I rebarreled one a few months ago and the take-off was pretty good shape. 505-463-5793

I never used a Bore Sighter. At the range I've Seen folks who had their rifles bore sighted when they picked them up hit within 2 feet of the target. With these old eyes looking down the tube I can usually get it on paper at 100 yds. roger

Losing only 4 inches of barrel means you really got away relatively cheap, thankfully. I have pictures of a SS Savage 300Win that had snow in the barrel about an inch down, split it down to the lock nut.

in a bolt gun, i just bore sight looking down the barrel, and I am amazed how close I come when I actually shoot it. Some of these new gizmos are more trouble than they are worth. IMHO>

That aside though, glad you are ok. It could have been much worth. These things are embarassing, but posting them will make us all take a minute or two extra to be safe. Nothing wrong with that.

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Ole dumbass (me) had left the bore sighter in! So after 52 years of shooting, I really messed up.

Can happen! REAL EASY! I appreciate your reminding ME to be careful! Just sorry it had to cost you your barrel.

Perhaps you can post a picture - it human to make mistakes and you aren't the only one.

Anybody who shoots a Chrony isn't all bad ! roger

It was my boss not me!

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Originally posted by 303Guy:

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Ole dumbass (me) had left the bore sighter in! So after 52 years of shooting, I really messed up.

Can happen! REAL EASY! I appreciate your reminding ME to be careful! Just sorry it had to cost you your barrel.

And I had a guy bring one in that had the cleaning rod left in the barrel when he touched it off.

can't answer your 7mm questions... but I have / had the same Tasco bore sighter, & did the same in a lesser caliber, many years ago ( I didn't fortunately damage the gun, so I'm not sure which rifle it was )

now I have my own range, with taget provisions at 25, 50, 75, 100, 200, 250, & 300 yards... so I don't bore sight any more...

Besides the barrel,any problems with the Bolt now??????I saw almost the same thing happen,and the rifles bolt was siezed up.I would put a go-no go gauge in it before I shot it again.

Hopefuly I will get to check how the gun shoots this afternoon. Work has kept me busy for the last couple of days. Hate it when that hsppens! I want to shoot the gun before I make any rash/real decision, but since I have short and handy 7mm covered by a 7-08 Savage 99A and have a 7x57 Peruvian 98 and a 7mm Gibbs in an 03, I would like to stay with the longer tube in the 7 Mag just to realize the advantages of it. I have back to back elk/deer hunts this month and then will have time to rebarrel the gun.

To answer the questions:

Vapodog - check your PMs

Too many tools- John, I will try to call this afternoon. I will be in Albq. in Dec. So We may be able to work something out.

.429 - you are verry correct in that I got off lucky. You never know what something like that will produce. That's why I was so POed at myself.

Lincs - will try to get one up ASAP.

OLBIKER - The first thing I did when I got the gun to my shop was strip the bolt and check headspace. It closed with slight pressure on a GO guage and wouldn't think about closing on the NO GO.

Thanks everyone for your input. I really put this up in the hopes that it might help keep someone from doing the same thing. I know I'm not the first nor will I be the last to do this or something similar, as TMT, Jim Kobe and Magnum Wheel Man point out. Sometimes its the simple stuff that gets us.

I can't say much; I shot the diffuser wire off mjine's Chrony a few months back.

My Uncle told me of a pull-through cord being left in a L.E. He said the barrel split along its full length!

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I never used a Bore Sighter. At the range I've Seen folks who had their rifles bore sighted when they picked them up hit within 2 feet of the target. With these old eyes looking down the tube I can usually get it on paper at 100 yds. Eekerroger

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n a bolt gun, i just bore sight looking down the barrel, and I am amazed how close I come when I actually shoot it. Some of these new gizmos are more trouble than they are worth. IMHO

I second both of these statements. Why use a bore sighter on a bolt gun?

Jason

I heard of a guy that shot two of the wires off his shooting chrony! He was trying to save the bull for another group! Where can I get new wires?

Call Chrony and the fella in India will let you know! Maybe? roger