Inspiration - 7mm rm needs rebarrel (or smolting…)

[Essexsussex]

I’ve got a husky 1900 7mm rm which on the face of it is a really nice rifle.

I have had 2 of these before and they’ve been really accurate (in 243 and 6.5x55). This one isn’t, has sent fed rounds more than 4 inches apart, gets a little closer with RWS that look silver tipped, and tbh they should be hallmarked at the price they are.

The cost in ammo of trying to get this to shoot is getting excessive. I’ve tried all the usual suspects, changing scopes, tightening mounts, and have used a bifrost stock that is floated. Tried 3 types of ammo. No real change.

I’m leaning towards a re barrel, I’ve got a bifrost stock for it so could make quite a good rig with the silky husky action.

Any ideas for options? I don’t want anything bigger than 7mm and ideally want something that can throw factory ammo. It might just have to be another 7mm rm which would be fine I guess.

I shoot red a bit in the highlands and fallow down my way, just want a rifle I can use or get rid of it! I have others so it isn’t stopping me shooting.

EDIT - I’m completely new to this rebarreling thing but I understand that bolt face and action mean options are limited to what works with what I have, and looking at a list I found on here it was all 7mm or larger.

 

[Steff]

7mm what?

 

[Essexsussex]

7mm what?

It’s a 7mm rem mag (rm)

 

[25 Sharps]

7 PRC is the only answer…..

 

[Steff]

It’s a 7mm rem mag (rm)

Ahh. Then chances are that it is shot out.
If I was in your shoes I‘d give it a VERY thorough clean using JB or Iosso bore paste. Then bore scope it and decide what to do.

 

[Essexsussex]

Ahh. Then chances are that it is shot out.
If I was in your shoes I‘d give it a VERY thorough clean using JB or Iosso bore paste. Then bore scope it and decide what to do.

Thanks - I’ve tried the cleaning bit with forest foam and brushed haven’t bore scoped. I believe it to be shot out too!

 

[Essexsussex]

7 PRC is the only answer…..

Can you get factory ammo though?

 

[KimE]

6,5 prc

 

[Essexsussex]

6,5 prc

Thanks Kim - does the bolt face and action correlate with that? Just read an article on it, looks a nice calibre

 

[KimE]

Yes its a .532 rim but the case are shorter than 7mags.

 

[25 Sharps]

Can you get factory ammo though?

Largely restricted to Hornady but yes, both in copper and lead.

I think weatherby may be doing ammunition, it’s new so more will follow.

 

[25 Sharps]

Thanks Kim - does the bolt face and action correlate with that? Just read an article on it, looks a nice calibre

The 7 is a match for the 7 rem mag, the 6.5 PRC would sit between the 7 magnums and your 6.5x55. It’s quite low powered for a magnum.

 

[Essexsussex]

The 7 is a match for the 7 rem mag, the 6.5 PRC would sit between the 7 magnums and your 6.5x55. It’s quite low powered for a magnum.

Thanks 25 (and everyone) lots of love for the PRCs here! I don’t think I need a 7mm rm and consequently probably not a 7prc - 6.5prc sounds a tidy hill or fallow rifle option. If I can get ammo. How does non toxic fare in the prc options?

 

[25 Sharps]

Thanks 25 (and everyone) lots of love for the PRCs here! I don’t think I need a 7mm rm and consequently probably not a 7prc - 6.5prc sounds a tidy hill or fallow rifle option. If I can get ammo. How does non toxic fare in the prc options?

A quick google search shows Dauntseys (pretty good barometer) only have the Hornady 130 gr CX.

Barnes do a loading so you may be able to get those if you order enough with your RFD.

 

[BE Precision]

Dauntsey Guns, Wilts, Wiltshire's Friendly Gun Shop: Centrefire, 6.5 PRC

A small selection here

 

[25 Sharps]

A quick google search shows Dauntseys (pretty good barometer) only have the Hornady 130 gr CX.

Barnes do a loading so you may be able to get those if you order enough with your RFD.

If you don’t reload then it will be a step up from your 6.5x55 ammunition, if you were to reload your 6.5x55 to modern pressures then personally the 6.5 PRC is not enough of a step up, 100-150 fps increase.

The 7 mm gives a meaningful increase in bullet size and energy without a massive jump in recoil, unlike the 300….

 

[25 Sharps]

Dauntsey Guns, Wilts, Wiltshire's Friendly Gun Shop: Centrefire, 6.5 PRC

A small selection here

Not of non toxic, unfortunately only one option…

 

[BE Precision]

Not of non toxic, unfortunately only one option…

Only unfortunate if the rifle doesn’t like it

 

[Heym SR20]

Number of things to try. Firstly as others have said, give it a damn good clean. Also undo the stock bolts and check the bedding. Smoky candle on underside of action / the barrel, drop it into the stock and tighten screws. Undo it again - you should have nice even contact with the action - an even transfer of smoke. But barrel should either be free floating, or firmly and evenly bedded.

Going back to barrel give it a good clean. Check the crown and the end of the bore. Check it with a magnifying glass - if it got nicks or worn etc, a recrown may be needed - not expensive.

Be honest with yourself. A 7mm rem mag has enough recoil that if you do not have a consistent hold it can open groups hugely. Poor stock fit will just add to this. And getting frustrated even more so.

Magnum rifles are either extremely well used and shot out. Or given their recoil and cost of ammo they often are real sleepers. The get bought, tried a few times and put away. Then sold. Next owner does the same.

 

[Essexsussex]

Number of things to try. Firstly as others have said, give it a damn good clean. Also undo the stock bolts and check the bedding. Smoky candle on underside of action / the barrel, drop it into the stock and tighten screws. Undo it again - you should have nice even contact with the action - an even transfer of smoke. But barrel should either be free floating, or firmly and evenly bedded.

Going back to barrel give it a good clean. Check the crown and the end of the bore. Check it with a magnifying glass - if it got nicks or worn etc, a recrown may be needed - not expensive.

Be honest with yourself. A 7mm rem mag has enough recoil that if you do not have a consistent hold it can open groups hugely. Poor stock fit will just add to this. And getting frustrated even more so.

Magnum rifles are either extremely well used and shot out. Or given their recoil and cost of ammo they often are real sleepers. The get bought, tried a few times and put away. Then sold. Next owner does the same.

That’s a helpful overview and your usual well thought out post, thank you - although I had it threaded and recrowned when I bought it and the grs bifrost eliminates a lot of the stock bolt issues, the fit is tight as it was on the original stock and the bifrost is comfortably free floated. And the fit is easily adapted with the bifrost. I thought that would be the fix but at least I can use the bifrost with my 6.5x55 or this if it is rebarrelled.

Cleaned and scrubbed with bore foam and brushes. Still did at best 4” and threw ridiculous flyers with and without a mod.

I’ve had someone else shoot it, and it wasn’t any better. The recoil isn’t nice after a few shots and getting frustrated as you say, you are absolutely right with that.

I’m now confident it’s shot out. I’ve been through this with a few secondhand rifles and mainly found them fine. This one isn’t or at least I’m not going to be putting more ammo and range time into it. So it’s rebarrel or give it away!