Remington 597 HB (heavy barrel)
- Thread starter AStone
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AStone
Member
Monster, I may indeed follow your lead with the V hammer. But I'm going to try the stock first. But wait, did you mean 20" 597 instead of HB? Or have they produced a 20" HB in the past? Now that would be heavy.
Craig, thanks for your treatise above (and helping keep things civil here). I've only scanned it so far, but must work before reading thoroughly, which I look forward to later.
Just two comments for now.
One, the purpose of my HB? Multiple uses, but mainly -- and I'm being sincere here -- to just try out a heavy short barrel in a variety of uses: target shooting, plinking and ... yes, hunting. It may work for me, it may not. But the only way I'll know is to try it over time. (I don't want to just borrow one temporarily -- this decision will take some time.)
And for the record, I'm not a gun collector. I never have more than 3 - 4 at a time, by choice. One or two handguns (for me now that's a SW 642 .38 spl +p; hope to add a Ruger SR9C by winter), my Marlin 336 in .30-30. The HB will take the .22 niche, at least for now. Ask me again in 2017.
My reasons for a small kit are several, but I won't get into that here. It has to do with the way I use all my tools, and my lifestyle, with is necessarily quasi-nomadic -- and I just don't want to haul around a bunch of guns. Suffice to say, I've owned 4 - 5X that number of guns in my lifetime. (I acknowledge that's small beans to many on this forum.) If it doesn't work long term, or my needs change, I don't keep it.
I'm really, really not concerned about the weight. I sling all my long guns, bar none. I've got one kind of sling that I love (can't remember it's name right now, and it's at home, I'm at work -- I'll check later). The one that came off my 39a will go onto the HB -- yes, I'll put in studs. I never just carry a rifle when I'm walking until I need it; until then, African carry.
As for the weight, Remington lists the weight of the 597 HB as 5.75 lb. I said 5.5 above, so I was off. (The standard is listed as 5.5.) But I'm hard pressed to believe that they'd make that bigga mistake -- but such things are possible. But I can see taking 4" off a 20" barrel, and turning that metal into more mass for the remaining 16". Hence, only adds 4 oz.
So, if that's true, then I'm not at all worried about the weight.
But honestly, even if it turns out to be 8 lb, I still want to try it.
Craig, thanks for your treatise above (and helping keep things civil here). I've only scanned it so far, but must work before reading thoroughly, which I look forward to later.
Just two comments for now.
One, the purpose of my HB? Multiple uses, but mainly -- and I'm being sincere here -- to just try out a heavy short barrel in a variety of uses: target shooting, plinking and ... yes, hunting. It may work for me, it may not. But the only way I'll know is to try it over time. (I don't want to just borrow one temporarily -- this decision will take some time.)
And for the record, I'm not a gun collector. I never have more than 3 - 4 at a time, by choice. One or two handguns (for me now that's a SW 642 .38 spl +p; hope to add a Ruger SR9C by winter), my Marlin 336 in .30-30. The HB will take the .22 niche, at least for now. Ask me again in 2017.
My reasons for a small kit are several, but I won't get into that here. It has to do with the way I use all my tools, and my lifestyle, with is necessarily quasi-nomadic -- and I just don't want to haul around a bunch of guns. Suffice to say, I've owned 4 - 5X that number of guns in my lifetime. (I acknowledge that's small beans to many on this forum.) If it doesn't work long term, or my needs change, I don't keep it.
I'm really, really not concerned about the weight. I sling all my long guns, bar none. I've got one kind of sling that I love (can't remember it's name right now, and it's at home, I'm at work -- I'll check later). The one that came off my 39a will go onto the HB -- yes, I'll put in studs. I never just carry a rifle when I'm walking until I need it; until then, African carry.
As for the weight, Remington lists the weight of the 597 HB as 5.75 lb. I said 5.5 above, so I was off. (The standard is listed as 5.5.) But I'm hard pressed to believe that they'd make that bigga mistake -- but such things are possible. But I can see taking 4" off a 20" barrel, and turning that metal into more mass for the remaining 16". Hence, only adds 4 oz.
So, if that's true, then I'm not at all worried about the weight.
But honestly, even if it turns out to be 8 lb, I still want to try it.
AStone
Member
Just a bit more about my ... interest in short barrels.
For years, I've considered having my 336 cut down to 16.5". I've seen a few such projects. Living where I do, in the land of heavy cover and thickets (some of the extensive green alder thickets up in Maine, that grow in wetlands and marshes, which means most of the southern part of the state, are hard enough to walk through with a pack, let alone a long gun) -- it seems a reasonable strategy.
But I've resisted doing the cut. Not sure I ever will. Seems a bit of a sacrilege. Maybe I'll try it first on a beater someday. Not sure.
But this HB will satiate that hunger to try out a short barrel, AND let me experience a heavy barrel. I've never even shot one, let alone owned one. I just want to see what it's like for myself. I'm curious that way.
For years, I've considered having my 336 cut down to 16.5". I've seen a few such projects. Living where I do, in the land of heavy cover and thickets (some of the extensive green alder thickets up in Maine, that grow in wetlands and marshes, which means most of the southern part of the state, are hard enough to walk through with a pack, let alone a long gun) -- it seems a reasonable strategy.
But I've resisted doing the cut. Not sure I ever will. Seems a bit of a sacrilege. Maybe I'll try it first on a beater someday. Not sure.
But this HB will satiate that hunger to try out a short barrel, AND let me experience a heavy barrel. I've never even shot one, let alone owned one. I just want to see what it's like for myself. I'm curious that way.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Davidson's lists it at 6.5lbs. Either way, factory advertised weight cannot always be counted upon to be 100% accurate. Some are more accurate than others.
Any idea the diameter of the HB? I know my 541 is about .750" and that is not bad, even at 24".
Any idea the diameter of the HB? I know my 541 is about .750" and that is not bad, even at 24".
AStone
Member
Good question on diameter. No, haven't a clue. Maybe someone here can tell us.
If not, I'll eventually give you an answer.
If not, I'll eventually give you an answer.
AStone, yes, mine is a 597 they haven't made in a few years. It is a 20" heavy barrel rifle with a laminate wood stock and weighs around 6.5 lbs. There is a nice review of one (and pictures of what mine looks like) on realguns.com
AStone
Member
Thanks, Monster! Found it. Looks like a 3-part series. Here's part 1.
ETA: Oh, wait, that's .22 mag. I'll check the other articles.
And damn, I was going to spend the afternoon working. :banghead:
Here's their pic of it. What a beauty with that laminate stock.
Is it picky about what it eats? One review -- #1 in my list in my post from yesterday -- claims it ate 5 different brands from good to cheap (Win white box) and gave quarter-sized groups at 25 yds.
And this note is relevant to the weight of the 16". "The Remington site list this rifle at 6 Lbs even. It actually weighs just under 7 Lbs [6 lb, 15 oz]." So I'll bet the 16" is closer to 6.5 -- which is still lighter than my 336; I'm good with that.
ETA: Oh, wait, that's .22 mag. I'll check the other articles.
And damn, I was going to spend the afternoon working. :banghead:
Here's their pic of it. What a beauty with that laminate stock.
Is it picky about what it eats? One review -- #1 in my list in my post from yesterday -- claims it ate 5 different brands from good to cheap (Win white box) and gave quarter-sized groups at 25 yds.
And this note is relevant to the weight of the 16". "The Remington site list this rifle at 6 Lbs even. It actually weighs just under 7 Lbs [6 lb, 15 oz]." So I'll bet the 16" is closer to 6.5 -- which is still lighter than my 336; I'm good with that.
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AStone
Member
Scooter22
Member
I've been interested in that model myself for awhile. Just because. But reading all the negatives about it and all the poor QC on all Remingtong guns in the last 5-10 years has put me off. I don't need a clunker. I have plenty of other good semi auto .22s. Take a look at a Marlin 795 semi auto. My family has 3. Mine has a 3x9 Centerpoint Mildot scope and will put 10 shots of bulk ammo in a nickle at 50yds. The other 2 are similar but have lower power scopes. Might be worth a look. Those Marlins are inexpensive, very accurate and bullet proof. They work.
AStone
Member
Weight
This just in ...
Bud's Gun Shop -- which is where I'll likely buy mine -- lists the weight of the HB as 7.5 lb. So Craig may be right after all.
So, to carry this a bit further, I just sent this to Bud's "product query" group.
Maybe I'll hear back next week (they're closed on weekends).
________
Hi, I'm planning to purchase a Remington 597 HB from you soon.
On Remington's page about that rifle, they list the weight as 5.75 lbs.
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/rimfire/model-597/model-597-hb.aspx
On your page, you list it at 7.5 lbs.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/79972
That's a very substantial difference. Not a deal breaker, but I just want to know what I'm getting.
Can you please confirm this weight? Thanks!
This just in ...
Bud's Gun Shop -- which is where I'll likely buy mine -- lists the weight of the HB as 7.5 lb. So Craig may be right after all.
So, to carry this a bit further, I just sent this to Bud's "product query" group.
Maybe I'll hear back next week (they're closed on weekends).
________
Hi, I'm planning to purchase a Remington 597 HB from you soon.
On Remington's page about that rifle, they list the weight as 5.75 lbs.
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/rimfire/model-597/model-597-hb.aspx
On your page, you list it at 7.5 lbs.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/79972
That's a very substantial difference. Not a deal breaker, but I just want to know what I'm getting.
Can you please confirm this weight? Thanks!
Ifishsum
Member
I bought a plain jane 597 when I went shopping for a new .22, because it felt more substantial in my hands than a 10/22, cost less and had very superior iron sights (IMHO of course). I also liked the chrome plated bolt and dual bolt guide rods. Only complaint I had was the first generation metal magazines; after about 7 rds they became very hard to load and when you did load 8+ they jammed often on the first couple shots. I took them apart and filed down the followers enough to solve that problem. The rifle itself was very accurate out of the box and reliable; enough so that I immediately started looking for a 597HB; I wanted a scoped one that was nicer and still keep an unscoped 597. I must say I was equally satisfied with the 597HB (mine is also the LSHB with laminated stock that ilmonster has), and still have both today. The HB shoots as well or better than my BIL's highly upgraded 10/22, with the only modifications being the Volquartsen hammer and extractor. The current Remington magazines are reliable, my brother tried aftermarket hi-caps with his and they don't seem to be very good.
My brother's 597 will eat most any ammo he feeds it. I can't say I have tried many different brands because years ago I developed a strong bias toward CCI mini-mag ammo and rarely shoot anything else. Federal Champion HP is probably the only other .22LR ammo I have bought in the last 15 years and they both use that just fine as well.
My brother's 597 will eat most any ammo he feeds it. I can't say I have tried many different brands because years ago I developed a strong bias toward CCI mini-mag ammo and rarely shoot anything else. Federal Champion HP is probably the only other .22LR ammo I have bought in the last 15 years and they both use that just fine as well.
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AStone
Member
Ifishsum, thanks! I'm becoming more an more confident about this.
Your story about the gen 1 mag also affirmed what I've said for years: those of us willing to do a little extra work -- some filing, sanding, buffing, working mechanisms to break them in more quickly, etc -- will on average have fewer problems.
The author of the article just above about the HB magnum did something similar with his 8 rnd magazine: he used a punch covered with a pad to cycle an empty mag 20 times. It markedly improved his ability to get those last couple of rnds in -- although he reported no jam issues before doing so. But the point is, the machines need a little help when they're right out of the factory.
Your story about the gen 1 mag also affirmed what I've said for years: those of us willing to do a little extra work -- some filing, sanding, buffing, working mechanisms to break them in more quickly, etc -- will on average have fewer problems.
The author of the article just above about the HB magnum did something similar with his 8 rnd magazine: he used a punch covered with a pad to cycle an empty mag 20 times. It markedly improved his ability to get those last couple of rnds in -- although he reported no jam issues before doing so. But the point is, the machines need a little help when they're right out of the factory.
AStone
Member
Another positive recommendation
A guy named Zeke (zb338) posted this in a thread about .22 ammo shortage after I mentioned this eminent purchase.
A guy named Zeke (zb338) posted this in a thread about .22 ammo shortage after I mentioned this eminent purchase.
I asked him if I could copy/paste his comment here, and invited him to join us in this discussion. His response.
AStone
Member
Thanks for your feedback, Elcemento. Can you tell us more about what you mean by "worst shooting"? Poor groups? Jams? Failure to feed? Other?
Poor accuracy.Put an after market trigger on it hoping that would help but no luck.Sent it off to Remington.They sent it back with targets showing one and one half inch groups at 25 yards.Within specs they said.I tried many brands of ammo all shot poorly except CCI sub sonics.Last new Remington I will ever buy!
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Which stock? The laminate is going to be a good bit heavier than the synthetic.
AStone
Member
Hello AStone,
I'm not sure I understand some of the less than helpful post by some of our members, very unlike what I normally see on The High Road.
The 597 is not an CZ or Anschutz or some expensive bench rest rifle but for about $200 its a really nice rifle.
I bought my son a 597 about 15 year ago and he has shot alot of rounds until he found center fire, it did have a small problem with the trigger group once.
I bought a 597 about 6 years ago from Dicks, a standard with a scope and I had a smith install Tech-Sights/REM200 with Inserts as the barrel needed to be drilled and tapped.
I have shot many thousands of rounds with it. I love the way the gun fits and shoots. I installed a sling and attended the Appleseed program to learn marksmanship.
As for problems I have had some fail to load the last round due to a dirty mag or action and a single out of battery that I blame on a dirty chamber.
A couple years ago I bought a heavy barrel from Fleet Farm and installed a Tundra thumbhole stock, DIP rail and the scope from my other 597, What a Nice Gun, a better scope would be nice.
On any given day I can get 3-4inch groups at 100yds
I did have to send it back as the barrel was loose, all better now.
For the magazines I like to rub hard wax on the internal wear surfaces, keep the action rail screws loose and use a .27cal brush to keep the chamber clean.
As for ammo gota love all things CCI.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...13/Remington+597+Synthetic+22LR+W3-9X32+SCOPE
http://www.tech-sights.com/
http://www.hawktecharms.com/Volquartsen-597-Target-Hammer-p/vcrth.htm
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ts_id/79972/Remington+597+22LR+16.5+HB+OD+SYN
http://www.shootersdiscount.com/car...ion-tundra-remington-597-rh-bull-cayenne.html
http://www.diproductsinc.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=187038&CAT=4271
These guys have all the 597 answers
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=218&order=desc&page=2
These guys will show you how to shoot like a "Rifleman".
http://appleseedinfo.org/
I'm not sure I understand some of the less than helpful post by some of our members, very unlike what I normally see on The High Road.
The 597 is not an CZ or Anschutz or some expensive bench rest rifle but for about $200 its a really nice rifle.
I bought my son a 597 about 15 year ago and he has shot alot of rounds until he found center fire, it did have a small problem with the trigger group once.
I bought a 597 about 6 years ago from Dicks, a standard with a scope and I had a smith install Tech-Sights/REM200 with Inserts as the barrel needed to be drilled and tapped.
I have shot many thousands of rounds with it. I love the way the gun fits and shoots. I installed a sling and attended the Appleseed program to learn marksmanship.
As for problems I have had some fail to load the last round due to a dirty mag or action and a single out of battery that I blame on a dirty chamber.
A couple years ago I bought a heavy barrel from Fleet Farm and installed a Tundra thumbhole stock, DIP rail and the scope from my other 597, What a Nice Gun, a better scope would be nice.
On any given day I can get 3-4inch groups at 100yds
I did have to send it back as the barrel was loose, all better now.
For the magazines I like to rub hard wax on the internal wear surfaces, keep the action rail screws loose and use a .27cal brush to keep the chamber clean.
As for ammo gota love all things CCI.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...13/Remington+597+Synthetic+22LR+W3-9X32+SCOPE
http://www.tech-sights.com/
http://www.hawktecharms.com/Volquartsen-597-Target-Hammer-p/vcrth.htm
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ts_id/79972/Remington+597+22LR+16.5+HB+OD+SYN
http://www.shootersdiscount.com/car...ion-tundra-remington-597-rh-bull-cayenne.html
http://www.diproductsinc.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=187038&CAT=4271
These guys have all the 597 answers
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=218&order=desc&page=2
These guys will show you how to shoot like a "Rifleman".
http://appleseedinfo.org/
AStone
Member
That's a stellar post, Zarthab; just what I've come to expect from THR over the years. Thanks MUCH. I'm exploring your links now ... I'm especially appreciating the Rimfire Central pages about the 597. Been meaning to go over there and check it out, but haven't made it until now -- you saved me a search.
AStone
Member
Here's an exceptionally good thread
on Rimfire Central addressing the 597 extractor.
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=576147
on Rimfire Central addressing the 597 extractor.
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=576147
I know what you mean about the Marlin 39. I have a 336 and a 1894c and love them. The 39 is proportionally wrong to me. But the Browning lever .22 is sweet!
As for this
Do it! You won't be sorry
And here's a Savage in .308
Both are awesome. I'm thinking about changing the Savage to 6.5 Creed, but that's a whole other kettle of fish.
As for this
Do it! You won't be sorry
And here's a Savage in .308
Both are awesome. I'm thinking about changing the Savage to 6.5 Creed, but that's a whole other kettle of fish.
AStone
Member
^ <Like>
magnatecman
Member
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2010
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I have a 597 that is chambered in .17 HMR and it shoots really good for such a turd ! It does not have that Heavy Barrel, though it is heavier than most standard rim fire barrels. I have shot many 8 shot groups that are under 3/4" at 100 yards. This is with a trigger that needs a tractor to pull it ! I have been going to try the Volquartsen hammer to get a better trigger, but have decided to sell it to jump into the AR scene instead.
It did have problems initially, FTF and some stove pipes. Even had a couple of three round bursts that made me nervous. I tore it down and discovered that the guide rails were too tight and out of adjustment. Once that was corrected, it shoots just fine, I load all 8 rounds into the mags and rarely get a hiccup anymore.
I say don't let the nay sayers deter you from getting what you want. It may not be perfect, but with some time and a little work you can get it pretty darn close.
It did have problems initially, FTF and some stove pipes. Even had a couple of three round bursts that made me nervous. I tore it down and discovered that the guide rails were too tight and out of adjustment. Once that was corrected, it shoots just fine, I load all 8 rounds into the mags and rarely get a hiccup anymore.
I say don't let the nay sayers deter you from getting what you want. It may not be perfect, but with some time and a little work you can get it pretty darn close.
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