Remington Model 7 CDL 26423 308 Winchester

A nice piece of wood, a good trigger and a compact 20-inch barrel on a rifle that could really shoot.

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GUN TESTS GRADE: A

$798

According to the Remington website, the Model 700 was introduced in 1962. By our count from that same website, the Model 700 has been factory produced in 49 different calibers and 81 different models. One would think that Remington believes they have a winner on their hands with the Model 7 CDL, and they would be right. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and this group of testers think that hunting rifles should look like hunting rifles. While they can indeed be gorgeous, we are not into high-gloss stocks and metal finishes you can see to shave with on a rifle we are going to beat around with in the woods. Our Model 7, basically a compact version of the Remington Model 700, in the CDL variant epitomizes that look. This rifle has a matte-blue finish on the barrel, action, and bottom metal. The stock is a nicely grained, dark walnut with an ebony forend and an oil-rubbed look to the finish. The stock shows well-executed checkering on the grip, and more checkering wraps the forend. There are two sling-swivel studs and an inch-thick-plus Remington SuperCell recoil pad that noticeably reduces felt recoil. Wood-to-metal finish is very good. The stock is in firm contact with the barrel for its entire length. The inside of the barrel channel is even dished out a bit right in front of the recoil lug, where it looks almost like it is bedded to the action.

The carbon-steel barrel is 20 inches long with a 1:10 twist. It has a slender profile that narrows to approximately 0.56 inch at the muzzle. The bolt head on a Remington Model 700/7 completely encloses the head of the cartridge, which is then surrounded by the barrel which, in turn, is wrapped by the action. Three rings of steel, as Remington calls it. The bolt head has a small claw extractor mounted inside as well as a plunger type ejector.

Action TypeBolt, 2 Lugs
Overall Length 42.25 in.
Barrel Length, Twist 22.0 in. ,1:12 in.
Overall Height w/o Scope Mount6.8 in.
Weight Unloaded6.9 lbs.
Weight Loaded7.25 lbs.
Sight RadiusNA
Action FinishMatte Stainless
Barrel FinishMatte Stainless
Magazine Capacity5 Rounds
Magazine TypeInternal Box
StockWalnut
Drop at Comb0.5 in.
Drop at Heel0.75 in.
BeddingNone
ButtplatePachmayr Decelerator
Length of Pull13.75 in.
Receiver Scope-Base PatternWinchester Short Action
Trigger Pull Weight3.1 lbs.
Safety3 Position
WarrantyNone written
Telephone(800) 333-3288
WebsiteWinchester.com
Made InPortugal

The push-feed bolt moved smoothly when we worked it at the bench but wanted to bind a little when we worked it from the shoulder. The safety is a two-position rocker switch on the right side of the receiver. The bolt release is a small tab just behind the front edge of the trigger guard that releases the bolt when pushed toward the action. This rifle brings a four-round internal-box magazine. The bottom metal is really metal. The magazine floorplate is easily released, but not too easily.

We have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the X-Mark Pro trigger, and we are not really sure why. We really liked the old Remington 700 trigger but, given current propensity to litigation, we understand the change. We are not sure if it is the width of the trigger, how smooth it is, how rounded it is, or what. We just always felt like our finger was trying to slide off the trigger. Not to fret. Timney Triggers (TimneyTriggers.com) makes a marvelous aftermarket trigger for a Remington, and they are very easy to replace. We do acknowledge that the X-Mark Pro is a very usable trigger with the second-lightest pull measured in our tests. And it can be adjusted lighter. We, however, freely admit we are trigger snobs. Our only gripe is about feel, not function.

Our Team Said: The Model 7 shot very, very well. It won our accuracy contest for this batch of rifles, shooting several sub-half-inch groups. We shot it, we worked with it, we thought about it and we debated about it. While this is not our top overall pick, it came really close.

Written and photographed by Joe Woolley, using evaluations from Gun Tests team testers.

VALUE GUIDE: BOLT-ACTION RIFLE SCORES

GUN NAMEISSUEGRADECOMMENTS
Browning X-Bolt Micro Midas 22-250 Rem., $879Dec. 2019AOur Pick. This is a trim rifle made for the small-statured or still-developing hunter.
Howa Model 1500 Youth 22-250 Rem., $529Dec. 2019ABest Buy. With youth- and adult-length stocks available, this is a great rifle.
Bergara B-14 B14S104 22-250 Rem., $879Dec. 2019ADesigned with the full-sized hunter in mind, this would be a great companion on a coyote hunt.
Browning X-Bolt 035395291 6mm CM, $2400Aug. 2019AA superior varminter that could shoot in competition.
Howa 1500 H-S Precision HHS62203 6mm CM, $1220Aug. 2019AThis is a great all-around rifle at a reasonable price.
Barrett Fieldcraft Rifle Threaded 6mm CM, $1929Aug. 2019A-This is a super-lightweight precision build you’ll want to take everywhere.
Savage 110 Scout 57139 450 Bushmaster, $829July 2019A-Best Buy. The Savage Axis proved accurate, reliable, and fast handling. Adjustable LOP.
Ruger Scout Rifle 6830 7.62 NATO, $1139July 2019B+The Ruger Scout comes closest to the original Scout rifle concept, but it falls short due to weight.
Mossberg MVP Scout Combo 7.62 NATO, $780July 2019BNot a true interpretation of the Scout Rifle concept. Accurate, well-handling short rifle at a good price.
Savage 110 Apex Storm XP 57344 6.5 CM, $605June 2019A-Best Buy. The Savage Axis proved accurate, reliable, and fast handling. Adjustable LOP.
Mauser M18 M18065P 6.5 PRC, $628June 2019A-Accurate and reliable. Expensive compared to the others.
Savage Axis II XP Rifle 57289 6.5 CM, $400June 2019B+A credible and accurate rifle for hunting. Superior stock treatment.
Ruger 77/44 Model 7401 44 Remington Mag., $754May 2019A-The 77/44 offers accuracy and power in a lightweight rifle. We disliked the magazine.
Ruger American Rifle 6903 Standard 308 Win. $382Dec. 2018ALight enough, accurate enough, and inexpensive enough for us to want to keep it.
Savage Axis II XP 57095 308 Win. $411Dec. 2018A-Best Buy. It works well, is accurate enough for hunting, and it is affordable.
Savage Model 12FV 18393 308 Win., $420Dec. 2018A-Most accurate rifle tested. Modest recoil. The rifle never failed to impress us.
Mossberg Trophy Hunter 308 Win., $240Dec. 2018COverall, the rifle was worth the modest price, but there are better choices.
Uintah UPR-10 Bolt AR-10 Upper 6.5 CM, $1295June 2018B+Capable of very good accuracy, this was a dream upper in need of a little refinement.
Ruger American Rifle Ranch 06968 300 Blackout, $420May 2018A-Shot well both suppressed and unsuppressed. Short length would make it handy.
Remington M700 SPS-T 84205 300 Blackout, $680May 2018A-Shot well in 300 BLK supersonic and subsonic.
Savage Arms 10PT-SR 22356 308 Win., $550May 2018B+Good build. It did shoot sub-MOA with one round. We loved the handle and AccuTrigger.
CZ-USA CZ 527 Youth 03050 7.62x39mm, $650Mar. 2018A-/B+Grade A- for adults; Grade B+ for youths. We would trust it to work for a lifetime.
Browning A-Bolt Micro Hunter 7mm-08 Rem., $578Mar. 2018A-/C+Grade A- for adults; Grade C+ for youths. Too much rifle and recoil for younger shooters.
Savage Axis II Compact 22230 243 Win. $490Mar. 2018B/AGrade B for adults; Grade A for youths. Clear winner as a youth rifle.
Desert Tech SRS-A1 6.5 Creedmoor, $4495Nov. 2017ATest results proved the SRS-A1 is at the top of the rifle-quality pyramid.
Ruger Hawkeye Mark IV VT 17980 6.5 CM, $1139Nov. 2017B+Rough bolt action, but in terms of accuracy, the Hawkeye deserved an A.
Legacy Sports Howa HCR 6.5 Creedmoor, $1450Nov. 2017CThe HCR should grade higher based on its ergonomics and simplicity.
Remington M700 SPS 85538 308 Win., $600Oct. 2017B+This short rifle isn’t the most accurate, but the overall handling is superb.
Remington Model 700 SPS 84218 308 Win., $606Oct. 2017B+Hard to find a production rifle that is capable of greater practical accuracy.
Savage Axis 19223 308 Win, $240Oct. 2017CAccuracy wasn’t the best. The rifle was dogged by a heavy trigger that we fixed.
Remington 783 85847 308 Win., $340Mar. 2017ABest Buy. This was the most accurate rifle tested, and there were no demerits.
Remington 700 SPS 85538 308 Win. $655Mar. 2017A-There are few rifles that are as handy as this one.
Savage Axis XP 19231 308 Win., $390Mar. 2017BAccuracy wasn’t the best, but accuracy was acceptable with the provided riflescope.
Mossberg 100 All-Terrain Rifle 27230 308 Win., $200 (Used)Mar. 2017CThe rifle did not misfeed. We liked the cheek rest. The primary problem was accuracy.
Thompson Center Compass 10071 22-250 Rem., $399Feb. 2017ASimple, straightforward, and inexpensive. Delivered sub-MOA groups with all rounds.
Browning X-Bolt Micro Midas 22-250 Rem., $860Feb. 2017B+This is a super-handy rifle for the whole family, and it can fit just about anywhere.
CZ USA 557 Sporter 04806 243 Win., $792Feb. 2017B+The 557’s refined looks belied its rugged durability. Heavier weight did not tame recoil.
Legacy Sports Howa Mini Action 6.5 Grendel, $855Feb. 2017CThis otherwise top-grade rifle was spoiled by weak magazine retention.
Ruger Precision Rifle 18008 6.5 Creedmoor, $1599Nov. 2016ARuger took an already good gun and made it a touch better.

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