Hypothetical - To Rebarrel or Not to Rebarrel

[filmjunkie4ever]

So here is my quandry. Just inherited a .25-06 from my Grandfather, a nice Interarms Mark X with a 22" sporter barrel.

I already have a legendary Remington 700 from my other Grandfather with a 24" heavier barrel in the same caliber. This gun is super accurate!

Do I rebarrel the Mauser to a different caliber (.270 or .280 perhaps) or have two .25-06s and buy another rifle in one of these two calibers?

Was itching for one of the Featherweights in .270 after reading John Barsness talk about his JOC commemorative model.

 

[DrMike]

Either option is attractive. The fact that this was your grandfather's rifle would tend to tip me in the direction of keeping it as is; it would be a family heirloom, which is huge in my mind. Two rifles chambered in the same cartridge is no big problem for me.

 

[Elkman]

Re barrel it to a 280 or 280 AI., that will bring a lot more to the table than the 270.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Re barrel it to a 280 or 280 AI., that will bring a lot more to the table than the 270.

I agree...the 270 is great, very much so....but the 280 offers just a little more, and the Ackley a little more still.

 

[DrMike]

If you choose to rebarrel, I do concur that my preference is the .280. Of course, I may display a bit of bias in this choice.

 

[wildgene]

...if you want to stick w/ a 22" (or 23") barrel, I would really consider rebarreling to a 7X57, or maybe even a .284 if you're feeling a little iconoclastic, if you're going w/ the longer barrel, 24-26", I'd do a .280/.280 AI...

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Well this was Grampa's rifle but as far as I know he has never hunted with it. He bought it about 10 years ago and sighted it in, and since then she has been a safe queen.

I have a Win 70 .30-06 with a 24" barrel that I am completely bewitched by and that gun sees the majority of my hunting trips. My Remington 700 .25-06 is my deer rifle of choice where longer shots may be possible, though that .30-06 has seen more than its share of such use.

I don't really need a .270 or a .280 but having an extra .25-06 seems pointless looking at it objectively, especially since this is one cartridge I feel NEEDS a 24" barrel to truly be any advantage over the .257 Bob. The Roberts is a fine cartridge but I would like to get something between .257 and .308 caliber that isn't a step down from what I already have.

I like the .280 but don't feel it outpaces the .270 with lighter bullets and the .30-06 will do whatever the .280 can with 160+ grain heavier bullets.

Not going to put anything longer than a 24" barrel on it for sure, that to me is the optimum barrel length for standard cartridges unless you are shooting prone on a bi-pod a lot, in which case a longer tube is not a handicap to handling features of a sporter rifle.

The .280 AI sounds neat but I am not much of a wildcatter...sorry to say I like knowing I can get ammo over the counter in a pinch. Probably why I like my .30-06 so well

How much better of an elk cartridge is the .280 versus the .270?

This rifle is likely to see use as an all-around.

I would think there really isn't too much difference between the two. The .280 has better bullet weight range while the .270 is easier to get ammo for in a pinch. Hmm....you all have got me thinking real hard now! Oh no...

 

[6mm Remington]

I'm with the guys and I'd go with the .280 Remington over the .270. Just my personal preference and I feel it fits what you want it to do a bit better. I'd go 24" barrel with it also.

Maybe you need a 6mm Remington for varmints, deer, and antelope?? That would be a great little cartridge for those types of uses and seems you don't have something below the 25-06 for that slot! Just saying!! :mrgreen:

 

[Guy Miner]

Good point 6mmRemington! :grin:

I'd be tempted to leave it as is, and keep it as a "spare" for a loaner, for a youngster in the family, or just to have the rifle. Those Mausers are good rifles. Load up some good 100 gr or 115 gr ammo for it, sight it in, keep a couple of boxes of that ammo on hand, and it will be there, ready and waiting, at virtually no expense to you, if you ever need it.

My old .30-06 Model of 1917 was ready and waiting when my son decided to step up to a bigger rifle cartridge than his 6mm Remington - which was when he started hunting bears. It was nice to have a good, solid, reliable rifle just waiting to be used some more.

I think "Elmer Thud" has a 22" barreled .25-06 which he puts to great use on red stag as I recall. With 110 gr Nosler Accubonds.

Regards, Guy

 

[SJB358]

I'd leave it as is too.. A good Mauser 25-06 is a pretty good rifle have around.. Especially living in your area.

 

[Elkman]

How much better of an elk cartridge is the .280 versus the .270? /quote]

If you have mentioned the 06 in your earlier post, I would have had a different answer. The only difference between the three is that the 06 handles heavier bullets a little better and the 180 gr. is my bullet of choice for elk . So now I really don't have a recommendation. Changing it to another standard cartridge will probably not gain you a lot.

 

[NWBlacktail]

I think the difference between the 25-06, 270, 280, and 30-06 is all just splitting hairs. Since you already have those calibers book ended, I might think about going bigger. 338-06 or a 35 Whelen.

Otherwise, I don't' think it would be worth the money to rebarrel.

 

[PJGunner]

Well somebody has to say it, .35 Whelen. I'm surprised no else even thought of it. :shock: :lol:
Paul B.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Well guys, thanks for the advice.

Will probably just leave it as it is.

Thanks again.

 

[Horsethief]

I agree with leaving it as is. Years from now the family heirloom value of the rifle will be untouchable, if it isn't already.