Rifle Repair

[338winmag]

Since I have eliminated everything but "bedding" and "barrel" for a rifle that is shooting like a shotgun, I have a few questions hopefully some people can give comment.

How much would it cost to replace a Model 700 270 Winchester barrel?
Can a decent gunsmith determine through inspection if the barrel is indeed needing to be replaced?
Can a gunsmith determine if the bedding is a main cause of poor grouping?
Is the barrel replacement and costs worth replacing rahter then just purchase a decent Weatheryby Vanguard or Savage?

Thanks
338winmag

 

[BK]

According to PacNor, barrel prices:
match, CM $260
match, SS $290
supermatch, CM $285
supermatch, SS $310
Plus $300 for them to screw it together.

I'm sure Remington would be cheaper, but no idea how much.

Whether it's worth it is a question you have to answer yourself. Any emotional attachment to the gun? Or is it just a tool? If the second, the Vanguard S2 might be the way to go. You can sell the old rifle to someone like me as a donor so I can rebarrel it to something a little offbeat, like a 6.5-06 or .338-06.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

As Kurt said, it would probably be cheaper to sell the rifle to a gunny like some of us are, telling them that the barrel is no good and using that money plus what you would save in getting a new barrel twisted on for buying a new rifle. Might I suggest a Winchester Model 70 Sporter... and yes they even make them in 270 Win! :mrgreen:

 

[Anonymous]

Good shooting rifles are so common and reasonably priced these days it makes little sense to rebarrel to improve accuracy unless you just love the rifle. New rifles are likely more accurate and better built than at any time in history despite the grousing of a bunch of us curmudegeons about "the good old days." (which often entailed pitiful accuracy and spotty functioning out of the box). I've hauled several new rifles to the gunsmith in years past...haven't done that in a long while.

I've bought several rifles over the last few years that shot MOA or better for less than what I'd expect your barrel job to cost. A Tikka T3, a Ruger Hawkeye and a Vanguard- all shot fabulous considering their modest asking prices. You can spend a bit more and get a new M70 or Remington 700 and have a superb rifle that is both beautiful and accurate.

As mentioned you'll likely do better selling it off for a project gun and starting over.

 

[BK]

Might I suggest a Winchester Model 70 Sporter... and yes they even make them in 270 Win! :mrgreen:

Nah, if it's a .270, it's gotta be a Featherweight.

 

[sask boy]

I have the the CDL in the 270 win and get .5 all day with a lead sled .

Blessings,
Dan

 

[BK]

While I love my Remingtons, I'm not too sure I would buy a current production sporter weight rifle from them right now. I hear too many reports of wildly inconsistent QC to want to take the risk... Scotty's .25-06 is a perfect example.

Strangely, the heavy barreled rigs seem to be immune from this. Odd.

 

[Teknys]

I hear too many reports of wildly inconsistent QC to want to take the risk... Scotty's .25-06 is a perfect example.

Strangely, the heavy barreled rigs seem to be immune from this. Odd.

I have to admit that I was starting to feel that way about current Rem 700s. My buddy and I each purchased 243Win in CDL SS, we swapped stocks(HS Prec) and triggers(Jewel). We both had such a hard time getting a load to group less than 1.5" until we tried Hybrid 100V and the 95 BT @ .010" off. Now they are less then 0.5" for the couple of groups last week end. Will they be able to repeat this every time???
I also have a recent Sendero II that shoots great so that is consistent with the reputation. Another buddy has the 700 XHR in 243 and it shoots 90 and 95 BT with RL17 easily. Took no time to get that gun and load right.
This is just to point out that there are still some 700s being put out that can still shoot the way they are supposed to.

I have a hard time not sticking with what I'm used to, by feel. That said I own and shoot 700s and Sako so go figure.

 

[Woodycreek]

I hear too many reports of wildly inconsistent QC to want to take the risk... Scotty's .25-06 is a perfect example.

Strangely, the heavy barreled rigs seem to be immune from this. Odd.

I have to admit that I was starting to feel that way about current Rem 700s. My buddy and I each purchased 243Win in CDL SS, we swapped stocks(HS Prec) and triggers(Jewel). We both had such a hard time getting a load to group less than 1.5" until we tried Hybrid 100V and the 95 BT @ .010" off. Now they are less then 0.5" for the couple of groups last week end. Will they be able to repeat this every time???
I also have a recent Sendero II that shoots great so that is consistent with the reputation. Another buddy has the 700 XHR in 243 and it shoots 90 and 95 BT with RL17 easily. Took no time to get that gun and load right.
This is just to point out that there are still some 700s being put out that can still shoot the way they are supposed to.

I have a hard time not sticking with what I'm used to, by feel. That said I own and shoot 700s and Sako so go figure.

Same here on the heavy barrelled 700s. I have purchased three new 700s in the past couple of years and they all can shoot half inch groups. The Sendero was not much of a surprise but the two SPS 700s were a very welcomed surprise. Its not likely that I will buy another Remington rifle anytime soon even with the luck I have had. I see Savage as the next varmint rifle and Winchester for the next big game rifle maybe?

 

[Oldtrader3]

With a Vanguard or a Sako A7, you can buy a rifle that is MOA qualranteed with factory fodder! In the past 4 years, I have bought a CZ 527, a Sako 85 and a Weatherby Mark V magnum. All of these rifles shoot well under MOA with the right loads. In today's consistant quality environment of accuracy almost being guaranteed, there is no reason to put up with poor accuracy. Even my old USRAC, .30-06 shoots really great (way under MOA) now that is has a decent stock on it.

 

[usmc 89]

To answer your questions about the smith, yes a competent smith can tell if something isn't right. A bore scope will tell him what the throat, chamber and rifling looks like, a visual inspection of the bedding and crown can eliminate that and a ride on the lathe can rule out any bending. Separating the action and barrel will tell him if there is any threading problems. A micrometer will tell him what the bolt face is doing as well. Not a big remington fan but done right they are tough to beat. I have owned several bdl varmints with the wood stocks 222 22-250 243 and 2506 they all shot very well and can be had for a song. Would I buy a new remington? No would I buy a new savage if I were to buy a over the counter rifle absolutely!

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

A "set back" can usually be done for $125-150.
If you decide to go with a new barrel, you might as well go custom, and have the action printed while you are at it. A 26" Douglas #4 would run you two and a quarter, plus smith work.
Talk with your smith. See what he says, and go from there.

 

[wildgene]

With a Vanguard or a Sako A7, you can buy a rifle that is MOA qualranteed with factory fodder! In the past 4 years, I have bought a CZ 527, a Sako 85 and a Weatherby Mark V magnum. All of these rifles shoot well under MOA with the right loads. In today's consistant quality environment of accuracy almost being guaranteed, there is no reason to put up with poor accuracy. Even my old USRAC, .30-06 shoots really great (way under MOA) now that is has a decent stock on it.

...sounds like you should go down & buy a Tikka, too... :mrgreen:

...while the potential for accuracy is there, buying a new Remington is like a crap shoot, & like a crap shoot the "house" is loaded against you, & while Savage accuracy is still "legendary", Savages aren't near the "bargain" they used to be, & for some obscure reason, Savage seems intent on compounding "ugly" on to an already "ugly" rifle. There are so many "good" rifles available, when you compare fit, finish, features, accuracy, & price, Remingtons tend to come out a "distant third place/ also ran"...

 

[BK]

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that Remington builds only poor quality rifles, just that they are pretty inconsistent lately. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be picking up SPS Varmints in .22-250 and .308 before too long, and I'm thinking about rolling the dice on an XCR II in .280, if only because I already have a McMillan to fit it.