700 Sportsman 78?

[Boyscout618]

I recently won via online auction a Remington 700 with a heavy 26-inch 7mm-08 barrel and HS Precision stock. The only oddity is that the receiver is marked "SPORTSMAN 78" on the left side opposite the action opening. From the research that I've done these "Sportsman 78" models were built back in the 80's, and were advertised as a lower-end 700, much like an ADL today. My question is, why would a new rifle have this marking? The seller, who had an excellent rating, said he got it from a retired cop and didn't know the history behind the rifle. He said it was new, and the only rounds through it were fired by him to sight in. The barrel appears to be factory, as it says "Remington Arms Company" on it. It looks as though someone took an SPS Varmint in 7mm-08, which are rare but exist, and put it in an HS Precision stock. The only question is the marking on the action... Anyone have any idea how this could have happened? My only idea is someone had an old action, bought the barrel new, and pieced everything together with a smith.

Pics:








I appreciate any help you can provide! My plans are to add a Harris bipod, stock pack, and swap the scope with a Vortex PST 6-24 FFP I already have for this project. Maybe swap the mount for a rail (brand undecided) and Seekins rings. Can't wait to have finally have a precision rig!

 

[WeiserBucks]

I know a guy who hoardes the Remington heavy Bbl 7-08s , he probably has 20+ but all of his are wood stock , gloss blued bdl .I like yours much better!

 

[Boyscout618]

Thanks! Gunbroker has had a few of those up lately, they are way too beautiful for the work I would do to them to suit my needs!

 

[WeiserBucks]

I'm curious what they're selling for ? PM me if you don't mind

 

[Boyscout618]

Does anyone else have info or experience with these models?

 

[Mike Monroe]

I have had several of the Sportsman 78's in various calibers. Remington made it as a low end 700 type gun. The catch 22 for Remington was the rifles turned out to be very accurate out of the box. All but one that I had would do 3/4 out of the box. I paid 180.00 for everyone I ever bought. They come with a birch stock in ADL platform. Yours is as from the factory, except for the stock. I would generally replace the stock with HS or BC sporter stocks. The downside of the birch stocks was they had no comb drop therefore, had some stout recoil. The original stock had a black plastic butt plate as well. The twist in that barrel will probably be too slow for anything over 130, typically 120's shot the best out of them. The original barrel has /had fixed sights, I can't see any in your attached photos. My hunting partner has had one in .270 for 30 years now and it still shoots well, he ck's his zero and goes hunting. The actions are good for other builds as well.

 

[Boyscout618]

I have had several of the Sportsman 78's in various calibers. Remington made it as a low end 700 type gun. The catch 22 for Remington was the rifles turned out to be very accurate out of the box. All but one that I had would do 3/4 out of the box. I paid 180.00 for everyone I ever bought. They come with a birch stock in ADL platform. Yours is as from the factory, except for the stock. I would generally replace the stock with HS or BC sporter stocks. The downside of the birch stocks was they had no comb drop therefore, had some stout recoil. The original stock had a black plastic butt plate as well. The twist in that barrel will probably be too slow for anything over 130, typically 120's shot the best out of them. The original barrel has /had fixed sights, I can't see any in your attached photos. My hunting partner has had one in .270 for 30 years now and it still shoots well, he ck's his zero and goes hunting. The actions are good for other builds as well.

Thanks for the info Mike! The twist is 9 1/4, which is what my hunting rifle is and I have shot 150gr SMK with pretty good success (.70 MOA) with that, so I'm anticipating/hoping this does just fine with them as well. When I rebarrel I might go to a 9 just so I can utilize the heavier bullets. Even with the heavier barrel you think its as-is from factory? There's no open sights on it, which is what partially left me confused. Glad to hear I can expect good things!

 

[Mike Monroe]

I have seen a few without sights, usually later models. It may stabilize 150's, it may not. Most of the earlier ones did not do well with higher mid weight bullets. Good luck with it.

 

[Boyscout618]

UPDATE:

I'm home from school and picked up the rifle and I am very pleased with it! The first thing I did was add the bipod, swap the scope to the new Vortex PST 6-24x50 FFP, and added the kydex cheek riser. This specific one is from Matthew's Fabrication on amazon and it was (mostly) easy enough to install. The scope mount is a DNZ Game Reaper, it came with the old scope on it and I probably won't change it until I start needing the extra 20 MOA, or if I notice any issues.

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However, the curiosities continue. I am confident it is an older action, as the bolt knob doesn't have any checkering on it...



But, the HS-Precision stock has a Remington factory buttpad on it...



And the barrel, I am still confident, is factory. Whoever threw this rifle together, I can only imagine, used a hodge podge of parts collected over time and slapped it all together, HOPEFULLY having trued the action in the process. The trigger is ~2.5 pounds, and breaks pretty darn clean, to my feel. Unfortunately I do not have a range report yet, I will be sure to add that when I get the chance, hopefully tomorrow or this weekend.

 

[Boyscout618]

Here are some groups from sighting in today, TRIGGER WARNING they are three shot groups, if you need a safe space call your local liberal arts college.

This was at 100 yards, they are both reloads my buddy's dad made for my other 700 hunting rifle, with the Hornady SST and SMK. Seems to do just fine in this rifle as well... No pressure signs in either of the brass and the bolt closed just fine on them.



This was at 270, the farthest we can go in my buddy's field. I'm really happy with this load in the rifle, shows how much potential it has if I keep my shit together.



The big group in the bottom right was from earlier in the day, we had been shooting after getting it dialed in and we realized the scope was way off from where I had marked it when I mounted it yesterday. I had snugged the rings down with what I thought was appropriate, but apparently not and it started shifting due to recoil. Today we reset it for the proper eye relief, leveled it again, and torqued it down. I don't have a torque wrench yet, but I may have to get one now... or if I keep having this problem I will scrap the DNZ mount and get a rail and Seekins rings, I'm gonna need the elevation anyways.

 

[trauma1]

The sportsman 78 was my first rifle. I am looking to buy one in short action !!! Please contumely if you have a lead in one. They were pretty smooth