Remington 597 HB Range Report

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Just wanted to share a few thoughts and experiences on my latest range trip-

 

I believe I mentioned around Christmas the newest member of the portfolio (at that time) was a Remington 597 Heavy Barrel (combo) from Dick's Sporting Goods.  If you do not know, the Remington 597 is a frequent DSG sales device and you can almost always get a nice olive drab green 597 w/ "Remington" 3-9x32mm scope for $200, and now you can get a really nice, black stock, 20" heavy barrel, scope combo for $250.  I got a discount AND a sales price on it around Christmas.  It was very very nice and the idea was it would share magazines with the 597 I already have ( a heavily modified and upgraded 597 etc.)

 

I had bought the Volquartsen Exact Edge Extractor and Target Hammer with the rifle and installed them forthwith but time did not allow testing; likewise, I installed a brand new, latest-generation Nikon ProStaff Rimfire 4x32mm scope.  We likewise hadn't been able to zero the scope before heading out to the range.

 

So we were not only test firing and hoping to 'break in' the rifle, we were confirming function with the new parts (hammer and extractor) and trying to get the scope right.  Fortunately, the rifle shot *LIKE A DREAM*.  And I mean that literally, it was a superfun blast to shoot.  In about 300-500 rounds, not a single malfunction in the least.  The scope was about two inches to the right but otherwise dead on, we got it zeroed for 25 yds in about 4 minutes and then had a lot of fun.  I had both the rifles main user (father) and new shooter (sister) with me and it brought both lots of fun and plenty of success, both of them were sharpshooting like rimfire range snipers.

 

If anyone is in the market, I can highly highly recommend the Remington 597 - I have a regular "sporter" barrel which I love and this new Heavy Barrel is just a dream to shoot.  Also, as I have a Nikon ProStaff 4-12x40mm on my 597, I purposely selected the ProStaff Rimfire 4x32mm so there would be no fuss nor messing around - look through the scope and shoot.  And that was a GREAT scope - I think I paid $92 on sale before Christmas and boy was it a clear, sharp-shooting scope.

 

 

Anyway- check out the 597 and 597 HB @ DSG if you need a .22LR rifle and always check out Nikon when you need optics. the Value for Dollar, Quality-to-Price Ratio is unsurpassed.

[iCARRY 0]

Good to hear it is shooting great.

 

What ammo did you run through it? Did you put a bipod on it? P

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Thanks much for the read and reply!

 

Started out with CCI Mini Mags 36  gr HPs.  Not because I really wanted to, but to be 100% honest, because I had a bunch of magazines (As I mentioned, I have a 597, we got another, so *I* had a nice stash of mags, the new one only has the one it came with [i thought when I got mine it came with 2 but I can't remember] - so I let the old man and sister use mine) and they had all been pre-loaded with Mini Mags from some time ago (to be honest I don't know why lol?).  So first Mini Mags, maybe 100 worth?  Then the better part of a Federal Bulk Pack 525 36 gr HPs.

 

As I said , not a single problem.  Which is also how my own 597 functions- although there is a long story about it- when I bought it, it was my first long gun purchased.  It basically would not function.  Out of a 10 round magazine, more rounds than not wouldn't work.  It literally wouldn't work.  If a round did get fired, it was positive the second one wouldn't load or jam or FTF FTE FTL etc.  I put it away in sad disgust, a month later bought a Savage Mark II GXP, a month after that a S&W M&P 15-22... and the 597 sat idle for almost a year.  I finally decided, give it some TLC- so I bought the VQ Extractor and Hammer, a ProStaff 4-12x40mm, and paid a gunsmith *way more than he said it would be* to give it a TLC-babying and install the parts.  Since that time I do not think I have had one single failure.  And yes that 597 wears the Walmart Winchester 9-13" sling stud bipod (worth every dime of the $39.99).

 

No bipod yet for the 597 HB- although I believe it will come.  My old man *LOVES* to accessorize and hook up his vehicles, but refuses to on firearms.  As a retired career cop, he is the type that his gun was simply a work tool, no more no less .  I am a huge gun guy, collector, amateur armorer, etc.  I figure whatever a firearm costs, *at least* that much will be spent extra on it lol.  My 15-22 is like a $1500 gun lol.  Him, not so much.  BUT I learned this from an old Vietnam-era Navy SEAL Master Chief - "The best way to convince someone they're wrong is to let them have it their own way!"  SO I believe after a day of shooting the 597 HB in his hands , and trying out my 597 with bipod, and seeing the difference/feeling the difference, maybe he will buck the funk up for a bipod lol.

 

 

 

lastly about ammo- I am a Federal and CCI guy especially for .22LR.  If the ammo situation was Pre 12/12 . all I would own would be 525 Bulk Packs by Federal and Mini Mags/Stingers/Blazer Bricks.  But i have a pretty diverse ammo collection, the 597s *HATE REMINGTON* with a passion, simply cannot shoot Remington .22, and also no success really with Winchester.  Fed and CCI, A+++.