PRICE FOR A REBARREL

[longwinters]

I have a short action Rem that I am thinking about getting rebarreled to my favorite caliber 7m-08. I want a good job done with an accuracy guarantee. What would I be looking at cost wise...approximately?

Also, it seems as though many custom barrels have fouling problems which factory barrels do not. Is this accurate, and if so why?

Long

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

I'm not so sure about aftermarket barrels fouling quicker or worse then factory tubes. Aftermarket barrels foul MUCH less then factory barrels, and are MUCH easier to clean. Where have you read or seen aftermarket barrels fouling worse then factory??

Accuracy guaruntee?? What good is a guaruntee?? Different shooter, different loads, different weather could all effect accuracy. All kidding aside here, a guaruntee is just a sales pitch IMO. If you have a guy that knows how to build rifles the right way, and you know how to shoot and load accurate ammo, chances are it will easily shoot 1/2 moa. The guy I sent my gun to get rebarreled to 338 EDGE just happens to be one of the top 5 gunsmiths in the nation and there is no guarantee that I know of or see that he speaks of. However, every gun he builds seems to shoot 1/2 MOA or better, so...

When I sent my gun to get rebarreled to 338 EDGE, it was around $1200. That was for a 28" HART, stainless fluted, sendero contour, muzzle brake, bedding, original trigger re-worked, truing up and squaring a 700 action, finish chambering the 338 EDGE, and his services for all the above. It was quite a bit more then I thoguht it would be to just "rebarrel a rifle" but I quickly learned the components aren't cheap, and neither is the work of a quality smith.

Granted the muzzle brake was about 150, you could do the trigger and bedding yourself, so knock off another 100 or so, so you could probly get away with a basic rebarrel for around $900-$950. However, truing a 700 action is a 1 time deal, and once its done, its done for good. So after you burn a barrel out, it should just be the cost of barrel, finish chambering, and his time spent on it.

 

[longwinters]

Thanks for the reply. I questioned about the fouling because I have read quite a few people relating their experiences of fouling custom barrels etc...while I rarely read of people complaining about factory barrels having problems.

With that kind of cost, I might as well by a used Sako and have guaranteed accuracy. Of course it would not be custom, but I would never had thought it would cost that much for a good rebarrel job. And I have never had a Sako (6 of em) that would not shoot 3/4 or better.

I just cannot find a Sako in 7m-08 (used) in my area so figured a rebarreled Remington would be mighty fine.

Long

 

[tjen]

I used shilen for the barrel and all the gun smithing too. Seems for the complete rebarrel, action squaring, stock inletting and pillerbedding it was about $900. I am very happy with their work.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

There are a couple of different approches avaliable when it comes time for a new tube...Remingtonman, and Tjen really did more of a custom build then a traditional rebarrel...and yes, I'm guilty of that myself. When it was all said an done my cost was around that $900.00 figure.

If all you want is a rebarrel, Midway has the Shilen Match grade Barrel, threaded for the Rem 700, and chambered in 7mm-08 for $179.20....call it $200.00 with shipping. A reputable smith will insist on truing the action, add in headspace and install, and you are out of there for under $200.00...
If you haven't done so already, you can adjust the trigger and bed the action yourself....and for a whole lot less then a new Sako, I would expect you to have a very good shooting rifle.

 

[JD338]

Long,

If you go with a new barrel, you will also want the action blueprinted.
I have a Hart barrel #5 fluted contour in 280 AI, Tubb recoil lug and pillar bedded.

Call Rob Canze at Williams Gunsight. Davison, MI 810 653 2131
Rob will take good care of you and make you a shooter. :wink:

JD338

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Jd: .092" group :grin: :grin:
Not many factory guns can do that.....and that would include Sako's.....
I bet it didn't come with a "guarantee"

 

[JD338]

Jd: .092" group :grin: :grin:
Not many factory guns can do that.....and that would include Sako's.....
I bet it didn't come with a "guarantee"

There are some pretty accurate factory guns but not to this level.
My gunsmith told me when we started this project that it would shoot.
I was happy with sub .25" groups but never thought I would get this level of accuracy.

JD338

 

[Guest]

I looked into a straight up rebarrel a couple of years ago. The rundown is just about even with what Antelope_Sniper said. You can get a decent barrel (a shade better than factory stuff) for about $200-300, and you can get it installed for about the same amount, if you don't want a bunch of stuff done. But, it's kind of like changing the clutch in my old Bronco - while I was taking the trouble to remove the transfer case and transmission and such, I went ahead and replaced a perfectly workable throwout bearing because it was relatively cheap. Truing the action is just like that. It's going to run $150-200 depending on what you have done, and once done, it's right from then on, as has been mentioned. So figure at least $600-800 to really get it done properly and make it worth the time and money. If you have a good smith do the work, you won't worry about a guarantee, because it will shoot like a house-a-fire anyway. I'm suddenly hearing Chris Farley talk about a guarantee on a box...

Anyway, I digress. Smiths don't generally guarantee anything, but if you want to go whole hog, you can send your rifle to Hill Country and they will guarantee the results using your donor action. Of course, you'll be on the hook for a lot more coin, and get a lot more work done than just truing and rebarreling. It's your choice, but I've known guys who got Douglas, Shilen, Hart, Krieger, Lilja, Pac-Nor, and others to rebarrel their guns, and not one of them has had any trouble shooting excellent groups after that, although some guys just shoot better than others. I can say that it is not pretty when your friend lets you shoot his new custom barreled gun and you outshoot him by half a group size! It goes over like a turd in the punch bowl, and I'll probably never get to shoot that gun again!

 

[longwinters]

For that kind of money, I think I will just keep my eyes open for a used Sako in 7m-08. You guys have brought me back to reality, there is no inexpensive way to satisfy my itch . So I will just keep it as a 22-250 LVSF and keep shooting the 308 and 280.

Long

 

[Ol` Joe]

I`ve no experiance with these guys but have heard a lot of happy reports with hunting rifles.
http://www.pac-nor.com/pricelist/

It looks like $300 for trueing, lug lapping, chambering and installing.

Barrels run $230+

You might ask for reports on them at the 24hr campfire forums. I`m sure there are a few there who have used them.

I paid ~$600 to put a Walther in 708 on a M700 short action a few years ago. Answer systems did the work, but are no longer in the business. If you for go trueig the action you`ll save $~100 but I don`t recommend it if you are rebarreling. It something that could make the difference in the final result..

 

[JD338]

You can always keep your eye open for a donor action. A good friend of mine is having a long range hunting rifle made. He bought a used 700 for $350. He sold the stock for $100 and has someone lined up to buy the factory take off barrel for $75. That leaves the action and bottom metal for around $275. Buying all new would be close to $500 so he did quite well for himself.

Just a thought.......

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

Pac Nor has a good reputation. Hart also builds a fine barrel and will true your action & install the barrel.

I prefer Krieger barrels, but that's mostly because my smith likes 'em I suppose. Then again I do like their cut rifling.

Fouling is almost non-existent with a good aftermarket barrel. In six to ten shots I see pretty serious fouling in a stock Remington barrel with those soft all-copper Barnes TSX bullets. From my Krieger barreled Rem 700 - there is virtually no fouling from TSX's after 20 shots.

I've shot a two-day 600 yard match, 66 rounds a day, with my Krieger barrel. Never cleaned it during the match and finished quite well. Fouling was not an issue and took only a few swabs down the tube afterwards to clean what little fouling there was. The rifle was shooting X's and 10's on the last relay, so accuracy didn't degrade at all.

A good custom barrel, installed by a top notch rifle smith, opens up a new world of accuracy, seldom seen with factory barrels.

Regards, Guy

 

[Guy Miner]

By the way... A Savage bolt action rifle can be re-barreled at home by anyone reasonably competent with hand tools. Pre-chambered/pre-threaded barrels are avail for them from Pac-Nor and other makers. The few tools needed for the job are readily available.

This makes Savage a very, very good choice for the home hobby shooter. If I was starting over, I'd go with a Savage. However I've already spent my money building up a Remington...

Regards, Guy

 

[Ol` Joe]

By the way... A Savage bolt action rifle can be re-barreled at home by anyone reasonably competent with hand tools. Pre-chambered/pre-threaded barrels are avail for them from Pac-Nor and other makers. The few tools needed for the job are readily available.

This makes Savage a very, very good choice for the home hobby shooter. If I was starting over, I'd go with a Savage. However I've already spent my money building up a Remington...

Regards, Guy

I agree 100%. I recently watched a guy swap out barrels on a Savage on our range. It took him maybe 5 minutes and that was including BS`ing his buddy while working.
The rifle was a 204 Ruger to start I can`t recall the cartridge he switched to but I do remember the rifle shot very well.
Actions are available from Savage
http://www.savagearms.com/TA_223_Bolt.htm
and barrels are offered by Midway, Shilen and others. You only need a barrel nut wrench and headspace gage to do it.

 

[cloverleaf]

I would have to say the same thing I am trying to save the money for (or find a dropped winning lotto ticket) to buty a savage in 250-3000 savage. For $600 or less I can get one in my pet cal. and still buy a 7mm-08 barrel and put it on myself for the cost of a wrench and a "go"guage when I want ammo off the shelf. Adjustable trigger pillar bedded etc. More than they used to be and I'll confess to never having actually shot a savage, but dont see how you can beat the deal. CL

 

[YoteSmoker]

Two layers of masking tape across the bolt face and a properly sized case with the barrel turned in or out for a "crush fit" will save you buying go/no go gages. For liability reasons, you didn't hear this from me.

 

[Powerstroke]

long,

the one thing you do have going for you on such a project is it is a 7-08.
I have yet to see one that doesn't shoot pretty darn well. Generally fairly easy to find a decent combo.
Factory M700 Varmiter trigger job and bedded below.

 

[onesonek]

Fouling on aftermarket barrels,,,,well that would be dependent on barrel maker, you can buy some fairly inexpensive blanks, but why do they cost less than a premium blank?
I have used mostly match grade blanks from several different makers, and have never had a fouling problem, yes they cost more. ranging from 250 to 350 bucks, then you have your installation cost.
But, lately for the price, I have been very impressed with Pac-Nor's barrels. They aren't much less than Hart's, Lilja's, Broughton's, Krieger's to name a few, but very good blanks. I also have very good results with Shilen and Douglas blanks. But yes, depending on the amount of work by the gunsmith, I would hazzard a guess 250 bucks is on the very low end for an installation. and throw in the other options as mention 2-5 times that isn't out the possibilty. It all depends on how much accuracy potential you want.

Dave