Re-barrel thoughts?

edgehit · Post by **edgehit** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:09 pm

What are reasonable rebarrel options? Brand recommendations? Stainless? What contour? What length?

I have a Rem 700 ADL in .243 that Dad gave me in 1976. I recently got another .243, a Mohawk 600 carbine, inherited from deceased father in law. Its a real shooter with 100gr factory loads. The 700 is a so-so shooter with re-loads or factory ammo.

I don't need two .243's and would like another caliber like a .260Rem. It would fit the niche btwn 243 and 270. I already shoot A LOT of small bore silhouette and have a Pharr stocked 1712. I'm thinking it won't be long when I'll want to dabble in hi-power.

My thought is to rebarrel the 700 ADL as its never shot really well in spite of epoxy bedding and free floated barrel.

I guess for now, I could slap my extra 6.5-20 scope on it and go shoot a match to see how I like it.

sobrbiker883 · Post by **sobrbiker883** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:31 pm

If you like ringing rams, go shoot the 243 at a match..........I spot for a guy that shoots one, and when you hit 5 rams in a row and only 4 fall it seems to hurt.

My vote, if you have a Pharr stocked 1712, send Evelio your 700 and have him put a 260 barrel in it, drop it in a Pharr stock and shoot HP for days to come happily!

Just my opinion........

Bob259 · Post by **Bob259** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:24 am

I'd vote for rebarreling it to a 6.5x47, which seems to be the new hot cartridge not only in Silhouette, but bench rest as well.

Have Dr. Evelio mount it in a Pharr stock and your all set. For a barrel, Evelio can explain in more detail, but the problems we had with Krieger on my new HP rifle I would go with a Lilja fluted barrel. I know I will go to the Lilja when I have to rebarrel again as I was very disappointed in Krieger's response to our problem, Dan Lilja was more of a help than Krieger was.

BlauBear · Post by **BlauBear** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:50 am

The Remington .260 is a mature round that actually appears in manufacturers catalogs while the Lapua 6.5x47 is, at least currently, a specialty round. They use the same 6.5mm bullet and .308 action, so do what you like, shoot that barrel out, and try the other next time if you like!

I've got a Remington .260, but haven't shot a match with it yet, but know from other shooters that if it doesn't work, it was me...

Bob Mc Alice · Post by **Bob Mc Alice** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:35 am

Edgehit.......be forewarned. Dabbling with Highpower will be just like dabbling with any powerful street drug. Wont be long 'till you are totally hooked and become just another strung out HP junkie. You will have to sell all your small bore stuff to support your new addiction!

There are a number of barrel makers to choose from. I chose Douglas stainless for my two 7-08's when the original factory ones burned out. They are among the lowest priced high quality barrel manufacturers with 50 years in business. They also sell their products to the "do it your selfers" like me. Others will only install their barrels at added cost or sell them to bonified gunsmiths.

A number three (3) contour closely matches the Remington factory sporter barrel. I am told that stainless will have up to 20% longer barrel life over chrome moly and it is much easier to clean. Common length is 24 inches and will keep you well within the hunter gun weight limit.

The mentioned 6.5 cartridges should do well for you, but I am "old school" and firmly believe bigger is better. Long live the 7-08, 7x57 and the .308.

daisy · Post by **daisy** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:57 pm

Here's a photo of my recent barrelled Rem 700 BDL. It was a 22-250 and is now a 7-08 Tobler barrel ( Australian) . The scope is a Leo from Chicken George.

The 7-08 is a joy to shoot as I was using a 30-06 before.

PS The sling was on cause I took it for a walk in the bush.

Daisy

Bob Mc Alice · Post by **Bob Mc Alice** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:17 pm

Nice set up Daisy. I assume you have shot some matches with it by now. How does it shoot, what bullets did you settle on?

daisy · Post by **daisy** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:50 pm

Bob Mc Alice wrote:Nice set up Daisy. I assume you have shot some matches with it by now. How does it shoot, what bullets did you settle on?

G'day Bob,

Thanks for your help and comments in earlier posts.

I have been shooting Rem 140 with 43g of 2209 (H414/H4350) behind it for c,p,t. They are half minute groups at 100m off the bench. I have tested 145 Speers & 150 Sierras with 2209 & 2208 around the 42-44 gains and they all seem to shoot well enough, what a forgiving calibre.

For rams I have some 175 bthp Sierra seconds that I am pushing with 42 g of 2209.

I have only shot one match with the gun & scope combo and got a new PB of 14. It's all in where you hold it when it goes bang that counts.

Daisy

Ramslammer · Post by **Ramslammer** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 5:08 pm

G'Day All
It was a case of praise the lord when Daisy got the new gun. No more blinding muzzle blast, mind numbing concussion(didn't have to go far) and listening to his evil chuckle everytime he fired the 30-06 next to you. The only thing he has to do now is smack one of his Chicken loads fair in the middle of the 100 mound. I use both 7/08 and .308 and even though I've always been one of the 308's biggest fans I think the 7/08 is the best choice. Here in OZ we have some tough rams on different ranges and the .260 sometimes can't topple them. Saying that I've stood rams with everything I've used. One match using Tasco's 6.5 BR I hit 5 and stood 2 on one bank, hurts bad.
Juddy

Ramslammer · Post by **Ramslammer** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 5:08 pm

G'Day All
It was a case of praise the lord when Daisy got the new gun. No more blinding muzzle blast, mind numbing concussion(didn't have to go far) and listening to his evil chuckle everytime he fired the 30-06 next to you. The only thing he has to do now is smack one of his Chicken loads fair in the middle of the 100 mound. I use both 7/08 and .308 and even though I've always been one of the 308's biggest fans I think the 7/08 is the best choice. Here in OZ we have some tough rams on different ranges and the .260 sometimes can't topple them. Saying that I've stood rams with everything I've used. One match using Tasco's 6.5 BR I hit 5 and stood 2 on one bank, hurts bad.
Juddy

edgehit · Post by **edgehit** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:04 pm

I'm so cheap that I can rub a nickle and make the buffalo fart. So I like the advice of shooting what I've got and see where that goes.

If I get hooked, I'll likely rebarrel with .260 or 7-08. Stainless.

Why would I go with 24" barrel? Forward weighted feel? Slows the barrel wobble down?

Silo65 · Post by **Silo65** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:31 am

edgehit

Allot of good information in the link below. Probably one of the best HP threads with advice from many good shooters: It will answer most of your questions on lengths/profiles/calibers.

Barrel Length / Calibers
http://www.steelchickens.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=851

If you decide to re-barrel, you need to get a handle on weight before changing components since there are many ways to make weight. See my thread for some basic weights. Most of the barrel manufacturers have weights listed for their different profiles. Pick a profile that allows you to make weight with your components at your preferred barrel length. The weight can usually be shifted up or down a little by having your gunsmith move the location of the cuts in relation to the large diameters; i.e., more or less large diameter in the final profile. I just installed a 24

edgehit · Post by **edgehit** » Wed May 07, 2008 9:12 pm

I got some advice that 9" twist for 6.5mm is fine. But I'm reading that the 140's need 8" twist.

What twist is best?

edgerat · Post by **edgerat** » Wed May 07, 2008 9:42 pm

I would get an 8-twist barrel so you can shoot whatever you want from the 123s to the 140+gr'ers. I have shot ever HP barrel out there with the exception of Brux and I can tell you Krieger gets the nod from me every time there is simply nothing better IMO....
Isaac

dave imas · Post by **dave imas** » Thu May 08, 2008 9:09 am

keep in mind 75% of your shots with a 6.5mm rifle will be with a bullet weighing around 105 grains. selecting a barrel specifically for 25% of your shots may not be such a good idea. unless, of course, you plan on swapping barrels between relays. :)