With over 5 million rifles produced, the Remington 700 is one of the most commonly encountered bolt actions rifles in the country. While most shooters are familiar with the 700, fewer are aware of its little brother, the Model Seven.
I’ve worked on quite a few Remington 700s, but never a Model Seven (note: it is referred to as both a “Model Seven” and “Model 7” in Remington’s literature). Brownells started selling Model Seven actions, so I bought one.
If you spend time reading about the Model Seven, you’ll often see it referred to as a short version of the 700. While that is good way to describe it, let’s look at the subtle differences.
The Model Seven action shown was purchased as a “blemished” model. It is marked 300 BLK, has a 223 bolt face, and is drilled and tapped for 8-40 screws. The included paperwork from Remington refers to it as, “Model 7 Action, Bolt Action Centerfire Action, AAC Micro Complete W/ Trigger, #8-40 Screw Holes, Order No. 85419”. It appears these actions were overruns for the AAC Model Seven chambered in 300 BLK.
The Remington 700 short action shown below is a 223 bolt face.
For reference and parts comparison purposes, a schematic of the Model Seven rifle can be found here, and the model 700 found here.
The Model Seven (above, left) is shorter in overall length, has a shorter rear bridge, larger ejection port and closer rear scope mounting screws than the Remington 700 (above, right). Early Model Sevens has a total of three mounting screws. Later models, like the one shown above, have four. The barrel tenon dimensions for both actions are the same.
Similar in design and construction (three pieces: the bolt head, body and handle), the bolt of the Model Seven (above, left) is shorter than the model 700 (above, right).
The bolt shroud of the Model Seven (above, left) has a different profile and is machined flat on the right side to allow the safety to clear.
The Model Seven (above, top) utilizes a different bolt stop than the Remington 700 (above, bottom). The Model 700 bolt stop is secured with a longer sear pin. The Model Seven, has an additional hole in between the two trigger pin holes to secure the bolt stop. Because of this, the bolt stop does not need to be removed when the removing the trigger from the Model Seven.
The Model Seven and 700 use different triggers. Note the different bolt release mechanisms. In the photo above, the Model Seven is equipped with a Timney Model 721 trigger, the Remington 700 is equipped with a factory trigger. The Model Seven uses the shorter sear pin from the 700, for its front and rear trigger pins (see schematic).
The Model Seven (above, right) has a similar magazine cut to the Remington 700 (above, left), however, the cut is moved further forward. The Model Seven action does not have an accommodation for an “ADL” style magazine (small screw hole in front of trigger).
Perhaps the biggest (and arguably only) design flaw of the Model Seven (above, right) is it uses a much smaller rear action screw than the Remington 700 (above, left). Often, custom gun makers will upgrade this rear screw to 1/4″-28, like the Model 700.
While there are many similarities between the Models Seven and 700, a similar barrel tenon and the same recoil lug, the Model Seven is quite unique. If you want to build a rifle with one, you’ll need a Model Seven specific stock, trigger, bottom metal and scope base.
This Model Seven action seems like the perfect foundation to build a custom 300 BLK precision rifle.
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