Reboring a barrel?

[muleman]

Anybody have experience with reboring a barrel? I have this 300Win Ruger 77 express rifle that would be perfect as a 375 Ruger. The end of the barrel mics .620" and according to several sites this would be enough to reach .375. The cost to rebore and rechamber would be about $425.
Don't you think this rifle should be a .375?

Scott

 

[JD338]

Scott,

I have heard of it but do not know anyone who has done it.
A 375 Riger would be cool.


JD338

 

[DrMike]

For sure, the 375 Ruger would be cool. I'm really out of touch with who is doing quality work in the States.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to put a new tube on it? Have it stamped correctly to. $425 seems a lot to me when you can order a Pac-Nor for $300 or so.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Yep, a new tube is usually cheaper.
I believe most "reboring" is done with a a single point cutting machine.
For that kind of work, might as well start brand new.

 

[IdahoCTD]

It would be cheaper to rebore then to buy a new barrel, have it fitted, blued, and drilled and tapped for sights. The upside to a new barrel is it should be stress free unlike a factory hammer forged barrel. If the person reboring stress relieves it then it might be as good but the "might" part would push me towards a new tube.

 

[Guy Miner]

Some years back a buddy of mine searched in vain for a Browning BLR in .358 Win and ended up having his .308 Win BLR re-bored. It worked out real well, and "Thumper" has accounted for a pretty fair number of elk now, as well as a few deer and a couple of black bears.

At the time Browning wasn't making the BLR in .358, and he just had to have one. It's worked out real well for him.

I don't know who did the work, and it had to have been 15 years ago or more that it was done.

Muleman - that is a very good looking rifle. If I had it rebarreled, I'd make sure the barrel contour and finish remained the same, and that the factory sights were in place as well.

Or just load it with some 220 gr Nosler Partitions and call it good as a heavy-hitting .300 mag... :grin:

 

[gerry]

The Browning BLR I just sold was a 243 rebored to 260 Rem, it was quite accurate. It wasn't easy to send it to the U.S. from here but I had Dan Pedersen do the work for me, he did an excellent job.

http://www.cutrifle.com/

 

[muleman]

Thanks for the input guys.
Gerry - That is one of the places I was looking at. How was the accuracy on the .260?
Nathan - Your exactly right about the sights,bluing and other work that would be required upping the price. Rebarreling is the way to go if that is all you have to do. The price for Pacnor to rebarrel, chamber, true the action and set the barrel is $900 on my 280AI vs the $425 for the rebore and rechamber quote I received to do the Ruger.

Scott

 

[gerry]

Thanks for the input guys.
Gerry - That is one of the places I was looking at. How was the accuracy on the .260?
Nathan - Your exactly right about the sights,bluing and other work that would be required upping the price. Rebarreling is the way to go if that is all you have to do. The price for Pacnor to rebarrel, chamber, true the action and set the barrel is $900 on my 280AI vs the $425 for the rebore and rechamber quote I received to do the Ruger.

Scott

Scott, my records show guite a few 3 shot groups ranging from .700-1.00" which I think is good from a lever action with a two piece stock and a mushy trigger. I have no doubt that a good bolt action could do even better but if not I'm sure 3/4" groups from a 375 Ruger would suffice Another thought, how hard would it be to find a 375 Ruger take off barrel? The factory barrels are usually tack drivers, someone must be doing big wildcats based on the 357 Ruger case.

 

[Rem Jim]

Anybody have experience with reboring a barrel? I have this 300Win Ruger 77 express rifle that would be perfect as a 375 Ruger. The end of the barrel mics .620" and according to several sites this would be enough to reach .375. The cost to rebore and rechamber would be about $425.
Don't you think this rifle should be a .375?

Scott

YUP ! YUP ! YUP ! make it a 375 Ruger -that would be very KOOL ! 8)

Cheers RJ

 

[SJB358]

Scott, that rifle looks like it is made for a 375 hole in the tube. I think Joel had his 338-06 rebored as well and his shoots well too. Mr. Pedersen seems like he comes pretty highly recommended from what I have heard and that isn't a bad price.. It is a very nice rifle and looks well suited to the 375..

 

[glane5910]

The muzzle OD should be a minimum of 2 times the bore diameter.

 

[Guest]

You could get a Douglas barrel (air-gauged, XX Premium) installed on your action for $460 by Douglas in WV. Williams Gunsight will install your sights and high-polish blue it for something like $250-280. That's about $750 worst-case, and I dare say it's more likely to be the best option. You might find a local smith who can R&R the barrel, install the sights, and re-blue it for less, even. That puts you in a more competitive range. It's obviously your choice, but I tend to agree with the "new barrel" method, as it has certain advantages.

Oh, and that rifle is absolutely begging to be a 375!!! What a beauty! I'd even consider swapping out the sights for a nice set of express sights with multiple folding leaves if you can find a set you like. That would be a dream rifle for big/dangerous game on any continent.