Bringing old Elk gun back to life? 7mm RemMag

J

joeranger

New member
My father-in-law had very interesting guns (mine now). He hunted with a bunch of old Germans and Rifle/shotgun Drilling combos were the favorite.

His Elk gun is a Voere Kufstein Austria imported from Parker Ballard, which is a Mauser action converted to 7MM RemMag. Before I got it, I don't think it had been shot in decades. His idea of hunting later in life was more social; beer, schnappes, food and stories I could not repeat online :rolleyes:

The first time I shot it, I couldn't get it on paper so I put it back in the safe for years. I recently boresighted it and now I can get a 6in group at 200yds. I am not the best long range shooter so I am not sure how much is the gun. The scope is an old Redfield 2x7 with Weaver mounts.

I would like to start pushing my range out and I think this is the best platform for now. Can't argue with the price.
Other than a good cleaning and lots of trigger time, is there anything else I should do to "restore" or improve?
 

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I have 4 guns with a mauser action and they all shoot good. Was that group with factory ammo? How clear can you see the target at 200 yds with that scope?
 
Yes, factory ammo. Remmington 150gr Express Core Lokt

Target picture is pretty good, but I would have to upgrade scope if I shoot any farther.
 
If the scope is any good 2-7X is enough magnification for at least 400 yards. 6" at 200 yards isn't promising. I'd start eliminating possible problems one at a time until the problem is nailed down. I'd let someone else shoot it and try to determine if it is the gun or shooter. Ammo can make difference, but not likely that much.

If it is the gun, and shooting that poorly I'd have a gunsmith look at it. You may have bedding issues, a badly fouled barrel or any of several other issues that need attention. That may well be as good as that rifle will do.
 
Thanks JMR40,
I should be able to do better. I had put a bunch of rounds downrange while adjusting the scope and my shoulder was really starting to feel it. I was anticipating the shots.
My gun club is pretty friendly. I like the idea of having someone else take a few shots.
 
A sore shoulder says a lot. Start with a good recoil pad such as a Limbsaver or Pachmeyer Decelarator. Recoil pads tend to harden with age, so if you have one it may have gotten hard. Next put a sand bag or one inch Past shoulder pad between you and the rifle. However you may have already developed a flinch. If as suggested already, people you know to be good shots get the same results, it is a problem with the rifle. Back when that rifle was made, two minutes of angle was considered good. Now we expect better.
 
Might think about trying a good cleaning...

Get some good copper remover, like Barnes CR10, and soak a patch thoroughly with the stuff and mop the barrel. Pour more down the muzzle as you clean from the breech. Let sit on level table etc. Follow directions for wait time; like 15 or 20min max wait time to patch out the bore.

If you are getting lots of blue on clean white flannel patch, you got more work ahead. Use a new PHOSPHOR brush and coat the brush w/remover and scrub the barrel. From breech to muzzle and add copper remover each time. Scrub for the 20 mins, then clean w/carburetor cleaner or solvent like Hoppes #9.

Once your barrel is completely clean of fouling and copper, you will likely get some decent results.


How is the trigger? Does it jump when you dryfire it?
How is your scope mount or iron sight mount? Anything loose?
Shooting off a bench w/sandbags or just offhand?
6" pretty good for offhand. Might try a sling
Handload some light loads for bench use if you're a handloader...

Some rifles are collectible, some are shooters. As was stated, nowadays we demand more "accuracy"; but back then, who shot off a bench from a rest?

Collectible? Rare, Antique? Buy a Savage for hunting and leave the heirloom home.

Really try the thorough cleaning. Might be very surprised...
 
give it a good cleaning. check the scope mounts. check for barrel to stock contact. and have someone else shoot it.
 
"Target picture is pretty good, but I would have to upgrade scope if I shoot any farther."

I'm not sure what you're expecting but a 2-7 variable is adequate for most shooting needs out to 400 yards+. My 7mmRM has the same Redfield 2-7 on it that was mounted when it was new(1975 ish).
When I was a young man, a 4X scope was all anyone needed.
 
I will agree the 7mm Remmag can be susceptible to metal fouling.It has a tight twist and burns a lot of powder.
Metal fouling can hurt accuracy.
I'm going to suggest a certain amount of caution when attacking the metal fouling.
Copper solvents tend to use solutions that CAN be harsh to guns.

They CAN be damaging to stock finish and bed compound.Ammonia has effect on wood,too.
Some copper removers are not so good for bore steel.Read the fine print carefully.As I recall,Shooters Choice recommends no more than 15 minutes exposure.
There are different formulations of copper solvent or copper solvent vs powder solvent that are not compatible.Mixing them in your bore will hurt the bore.

I would suggest a Montana Brush black nylon brush for your solvent and scrubbing.Copper solvent eats bronze brushes.Once the chemicals do the job,the nylon is enough.

A 7mmRem can be harsh on the bench.Do not get your eye too close to that scope.

Use a bag under the forend and a bag under the buttstock.You may squeeze the rear bag for fine adj,but take the time to get naturalpoint of aim.In other words,your crosshairs are resting,not held,on target.

Most important,be sure you can recall exactly the image you saw in the scope as the rifle recoils.Be able to point to that exact spot on a target on the bench.If you cannot,it means your eyes were closed.Concentrate on follow through and calling the shot.

Have someone else load your chamber for you.You need an empty chamber or dummy round to surprise you.If you cringe or flinch,you will know.

That is important because nothing you do to the rifle,sights,or ammo will fix it.

But,it can be fixed!
 
Yes, it amazes folk nowadays when I tell them I used to shoot ground squirrels out to 500-ish yds with a 22-250 and an old Weaver K4 scope.
 
Bring it back to life. Pick up some 175gr Sierra Game Kings or Speer Deep Curls and some IMR7828SSC. Just start at the starting load, and work up in 5 shot groups until you get under 3 inches at 100 for five shots. That's enough for elk.

I've never seen a 7mm Rem Mag shoot as well with 150 and under as they do with 162 and heavier.

Jimro
 
Clean the barrel and tighten the screws on the scope mount, mount bases and the guard screws.

Bring that screwdriver that fits the guard screws to the range.

Try different ammo.

Slip on recoil pads that fit all guns can be brought to the range.

Here is the picture of your rifle.

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That 6" group at 200 yards consistent? If so, it's not the scope. Could be ammo or, like Jimro says, the bedding or trigger. Or all three.
You have much time shooting a 7mm Mag? If not, the felt recoil could be an issue. Magnums aren't a lot of fun to shoot off a bench.
 
I've never seen a 7mm Rem Mag shoot as well with 150 and under as they do with 162 and heavier.
Click to expand...
I agree with this. Obviously I've never done anything like a scientific survey of 7mm-mags, but in my experience the 150s including the 150 Core Lokt are not good shooters.

The 175 game king is a reasonable choice, although I personally use the partition which is not generally as good from an accuracy perspective. It shoots well in my rifle though.
 
I have had experience with several 7mm Rem Mags and found they shoot different 160 grain bullets to nearly the same point at 100 yards. Not so at all with some 175 grain bullets. I have seen quite a few deer, elk, and moose shot with the Accubond, which has better ballistics than the partition, and performs just as well.
 
Does not sound like a 7mm mag, wow that a big group, if that keeps up I would have a gunsmith look at it !!
 
"Quote:
I've never seen a 7mm Rem Mag shoot as well with 150 and under as they do with 162 and heavier.
I agree with this. Obviously I've never done anything like a scientific survey of 7mm-mags, but in my experience the 150s including the 150 Core Lokt are not good shooters.

The 175 game king is a reasonable choice, although I personally use the partition which is not generally as good from an accuracy perspective. It shoots well in my rifle though."

My 7mm RM has never had a bullet heavier than 160 down the barrel. It was/is absolutely laser beam accurate with Hornady 139 BTSP and 160 Nosler Partition(the only bullets I needed for it).
 
I bought my first 7mm Rem mag while I was in high school,in the late 1960's.
I've had three,and still own one.
Back in those days,we had areal nice county rifle range.
I could get bulk Hogdon 4831 for $1.60 a pound.
It was my only centerfire.I shot a lot of prairie dogs with it.And it had a BushnellScopechief 2 3/4 X scope.
With all due respect for joeranger,and his marksmanship abilities,and his ability to grow facial hair
I broke two pair of glasses from that scope smacking my eyebrow.
I can confess I have sent a lot of bullets downrange with my eyes closed.
I do not know what is going on with this rifle.I'm not there.
IMO,if someone is getting acquainted with a 7mm Rem mag on the bench,and is dissatisfied with accuracy,BEFORE I spent any money,or tampered with the rifle or pursued the magic load,
I'd do the surprise dummy round test.
If that is a pass,OK!!
I might look at Accubonds or Gamekings or 162 gr Interbonds,etc.
Not knocking the Coreloct 150 gr load,but there are other options I might have higher expectations of.
In my experience,metalfouling CAN be a 7mm Rem accuracy bugaboo.

But you cannot fix a flat tire by pouring oil in the crank case.

That forend tip COULD be an issue,too.Anything COULD be going on with the bedding.The wood between the magwell and recoillug COULD be split.

But I'd start with the dummy round flinch test.
 
My 7mm RM has never had a bullet heavier than 160 down the barrel. It was/is absolutely laser beam accurate with Hornady 139 BTSP and 160 Nosler Partition(the only bullets I needed for it).
Click to expand...

I wish all my rifles were laser beam accurate. Unfortunately that's not the case...

Every rifle is going to be different, but I've seen a 7mm Rem Mag group 0.8" for five shots using my handloads with a 175gr SGK and group around 6" with commercial 140gr Remington ammo. The cheap Winchester 175gr Power Point ammo shot a lot better than the Rem ammo. I've also seen a 308 Win through Federal 180gr soft points all over the paper and then go back to sub MOA with 168 match bullets, so I'll admit that heavier isn't always better.

It isn't a scientific rule by any stretch, but in the search for accuracy I generally start with the heavier end of the bullet selection for hunting rifles. And it isn't guaranteed to work every time. One fella even had to have some 7mm bullets custom swaged down to make his "custom" 270 Win get on paper with acceptable accuracy after trying multiple brands, styles, and bullet weights. But generally if a barrel will shoot, it will shoot the heavy bullets well enough to give you acceptable accuracy. If you already have acceptable accuracy, no point in changing anything.

Jimro
 
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