Not Tactical But Pretty

[billt]

I don't normally buy on impulse, especially when it comes to guns. But the other night I made a rare exception. I took a quick trip to Sportsman's Warehouse near me to pick up some patches and other gun cleaning supplies I was running low on. As I was browsing the gun rack I saw this beautiful Remington Model 7600 Pump Action 200th Anniversary Edition in .30-06 sitting there. I asked to see it. The nice young kid behind the counter handed it to me, and the rifle was absolutely gorgeous!

The Walnut was some of the best I've ever seen on ANY rifle at any cost. Both the butt stock, as well as the forend had what seemed to be endless figure and contrast, coupled with a beautiful high gloss finish. The bluing was very well done, with a very high luster and polish throughout. The gold inlays showed very nice detail on both sides of the receiver, as well as on the pistol grip cap. There is a nice gold inlayed barrel band at the muzzle. The fit and finish of all the wood and metal was as good as it could be.

I had seen several of these 200th Anniversary Edition Remington's at Cabela's over the last year and a half. And I almost sprung for a 7600 they had. But I just couldn't justify the price, ($1,595.00), they were asking. It's not that the gun wasn't worth it. It was. But it's a lot for a gun that's a safe queen, and you're basically buying to admire, and not to run up a high round count on. So when I asked this kid how much, I just about fell over when he told me $899.00! I said are you sure? He double checked, and came back with the manager and said yes, they were on a special clearance. I couldn't say, "I'll TAKE IT", fast enough! For that price there is just no way I was going to leave without it.

When my wife saw it, she was impressed as well. It's just a beautiful rifle. Remington sure did a nice job on it, I'll say that. This is just a quick and dirty phone pic.

[Timothy]

I have a '69 Wingmaster that looks that good!  Well, maybe not perfect but they made pumps a bit better back in the day.  The stock and forend are American Walnut, bluing is excellent, fit's very, very nice..

Nice find, Bill!

[MikeBjerum]

Bill,

Tactical is just like assault.  It is not a thing, it is an action.  That can be just as tactical as any thing that scares the bejeebers out of a freedom hating Pelosi.

[Big Frank]

That's a nice find you stumbled into Bill. Brownells and other places have Triple K 10-round mags for it. Someone may make bigger ones than that but I can only remember seeing 10-round mags. A few of those and you can be as tactical as you want to be. The .30-06 has way more knockdown power than any 5.56mm NATO or .300 BLK, so you could get by with less rounds.

[billt]

I'm going to order a couple of 10 round magazines for it. I also have a Remington 7400 semi auto in .30-06 as well. The biggest problem with these guns is keeping the chamber clean. If it starts to get dirty, (usually it doesn't take more than 10 rounds or so depending on ammo), then the gun will start hanging up, and become difficult to cycle.

This is more prevalent in the 7400 series semi auto than the 7600 pump. But a dirty chamber can cause difficult cycling with the pump as well. It's also important to keep everything well lubricated. Yesterday I pulled the forend off my 7400 and oiled the recoil spring and guide rod. I also gave the chamber a good brushing with a bronze brush and Hoppes #9. And gave the bolt, bolt lugs and barrel recesses a good greasing. I'm going to take it to the range next week.

The 7400 semi auto is also more ammo sensitive. It likes lighter bullet weights in the 125 to 165 grain range. Most ammo for the M1 Garand will run well in a 7400. It also seems to do well with a lot of these "Reduced Recoil", lighter bullet loads. It doesn't like all these, "Superformance" and "Light Magnum" loads. They have too long a pressure curve, and they're hard on the gas operating system.

These are high maintenance guns that are not meant to run up high round counts on. Mostly they are for the, "box a year" hunter who goes out and sights in with 10 rounds or so, then takes a deer with a couple of rounds.

[Sponsor]

[Rastus]

Nice gun Bill. 

Keep it clean and let us know how it shoots!

[Big Frank]

My dad had a semi-auto Remington Model 740 .30-06. It didn't look much like that shiny new pump it's related to but took the same mags. It did have a strong family resemblance to his Remington Model 58 20 gauge. He said the .30-06 didn't kick as hard as his .30-30 Winchester Model 94. Not having a steel crescent buttplate may have helped.

[billt]

....He said the .30-06 didn't kick as hard as his .30-30 Winchester Model 94. Not having a steel crescent buttplate may have helped.

I agree with him. My .30-30 Model 94 kicks like a mule compared to either of these guns.

[nosimij]

I saw one of these in PA chambered in 308 that the owner had his smith cut the barrel down to 16.  It was light, fast and handy.  I did not shoot it or see it shot but he said that for his shooting he did not notice any shortcomings of cutting down the barrel. 

I am sure you would not do that to that beautiful example which you stole buy the way good one.  Just an option for anyone else who is looking for a handy fast action heave hitter that is "less" scary.

I have always been a pump fan and one of these in 308 in on my bucket list.