Rebarrel Mark V?

[slm9s]

I've got a very nice custom Mark V in 270wby; the action, stock, and trigger are spectacular. Unfortunately its in third place in my hunting rifle rotation as I've got an ULA 7RM and 700 STW that are much nicer to carry up our hills. But, I shot my first elk with it, so I'm reluctant to sell it. I was thinking about rebarreling to a heavier contour in a 7WSM or another round for a long-range tactical rig. I'm a big fan of the 7WSM, and the boltface would be the same and the LA would allow me to seat 162 amaxs or 180 bergers really long and still mag feed. My main goal is to make this the most accurate rifle I can, and be able to shoot more than 3 shots before having to let the barrel cool. What would you guys pick? My home range is only 200, but I often have access to shoot out to 1100. I know I'll have to open up the stock a little. Should the Mark V feed the WSM rounds well? Any other brilliant ideas? I need to keep the mag bolt face, but want an accurate non-barrel burning round (I know it'll have to be somewhat of a barrel-burner).
Thanks.

 

[bohem]

Re: Rebarrel Mark V?

I will probably take a some heat for this, but I would suggest just leaving it be as it is (in hunting rifle form) and buying another rifle action to start a build from the ground up.

Not because you can't get a great builder to turn it into a very solid rifle, but because that's a beautiful Wby hunting rifle in a great hunting caliber.

I'm a sucker for a high luster blue with a nice piece of wood on the stock, and it would be a shame IMO to rip it apart from what it is to build a target/comp rifle.

For shooting to 1100 you really don't need something as big as a short magnum, though it does make the task easier.

Building something in the 6.5 or 7 family that has a similar case capacity as a 308 will give you excellent performance on targets to 1100, great barrel life compared to a 7 short magnum type case, cheaper associated costs, and much easier parts gathering than dealing with the Wby action.


If you are focused on sticking to the 7 SAUM/WSM or 7/300 WSM (my personal choice in the family there) then going long action is a very good idea for the reason you listed.

If you can come up with a donor 30-06 or 270 Win action then a good solid caliber based off the 30-06 case can get you to 1100 quite easily. Or the 284 Winchester setup for a long action

280 Rem, 7-06, 7-270 are all very close in performance to the 7 SAUM with an edge over the 284 but the bonus of a longer neck and more brass choices, to include Lapua, Norma, Nosler, etc.

A long action Remington or Winchester action built in something like that would give you ample performance.

A short action Rem, Win/FN in 6.5x47L/6.5CM/6.5SLR/260/etc or a 7mm version is going to give great solutions there.

Overall? Skip on the plan to chop up that beautiful rifle and gather parts as time/money allow. Read here, look at lots of competition reports, ask questions and then have it built by a rifle builder from this place that you're comfortable with. There are lots of great builders around here to choose from.

 

[slm9s]

Re: Rebarrel Mark V?

I agree that it is beautiful, I just don't use it as is which is why I'm considering doing this. I don't want to sell it. The action is as smooth as my Nesikas and Defiance. If I rebarrel with a heavier contour blued barrel, it'll still be beautiful.

I have several other rifles in the rounds you listed; 260, 243AI, 6mmX, 6mmAR, 6 dasher, 6ppc.

I just want to turn this into something I'll use, even if its just at the range. I love shooting it, but I can only shoot 3 shots with the current barrel before having to let it cool.

 

[bohem]

Re: Rebarrel Mark V?

I gotcha, makes more sense now.

Rebarrelling to a 7/300 WSM would be good solid performance though you might have to get the builder to fuss with the feed lips because the WSM cases are a fat body (rebated rim).

With a long action 7/300 WSM or 7 WSM and about 72gr of Retumbo I've seen a bunch of them push the 180 Bergers well in excess of 3000fps, coming up on 3100 depending upon the barrel length.

That's more than enough medicine for hitting 1100yd targets.

What about something like a Light Varmint contour to assist with your barrel heating concern but still maintain some of the look that rifle brings to the table?

 

[slm9s]

Re: Rebarrel Mark V?

Thats more along the lines of what I was thinking.

Part of me thinks it would make more sense just to do a 7mm Rem Mag or maybe a 7 WBY mag? Can these attain the level of accuracy the 7WSM can? I ask because I come from a benchrest background and I see guys use the 7wsm, but not the others.

Anyone care to share what their guess is as to round count I'd get out of a 7wsm vs 7rem mag vs 7wby vs 264 mag? All around the same?

Any other opinions?
Thanks

 

[slm9s]

Re: Rebarrel Mark V?

Any other opinions?

 

[Edds]

Re: Rebarrel Mark V?

If you want a heavy barrel, I'd suggest a #4 Weatherby contour barrel and leave it a 270 WM or change it to either a 257 WM or 7mm WM.

 

[Willys46]

Re: Rebarrel Mark V?

If it were me, I would look at getting it rebarrled to a close weatherby accumark conture. I would choose a 7 rem mag to utilize the mag box. You can seat the bullets a lot longer allowing for more case capacity in the rem mag allowing it to preformed very well.

With the weatherby you can run a long mag lenght, all you have to do is mill the bolt stop a little longer if need be.

This is what I did with my old mkv and have not regretted it. 168 Berger at 3050 easily makes this thing fun to shoot.

 

[Edds]

Re: Rebarrel Mark V?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Willys46</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If it were me, I would look at getting it rebarrled to a close weatherby accumark conture. I would choose a 7 rem mag to utilize the mag box. You can seat the bullets a lot longer allowing for more case capacity in the rem mag allowing it to preformed very well. </div></div>
The Weatherby and Remington cases have virtually identical capacities. For seating bullets to maximum lengths the Weatherby case would be the best because it has about .050" more neck.

 

[Willys46]

Re: Rebarrel Mark V?

The only reason I choose the rem case is due to the cost of weatherby brass, and the OP states he has a STW and a RUM, the 7 wby is very close to those two.

To the orginal poster, when you are asking for a long range tactical rig, are you talking about competiting with it?

 

[slm9s]

Re: Rebarrel Mark V?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Willys46</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

To the orginal poster, when you are asking for a long range tactical rig, are you talking about competiting with it? </div></div>

No, not competing. Mostly an informal long range toy.