Gunsmithing "Recycling" a barrel

[LongRangEnthusiast]

Hey guys I have a 223 win 70 with a 26" heavy stainless steel krieger barrel. I believe it is close to 1.3" at reciever, but it slims down to .75" for palma sights. I plan to shoot this thing to death and then get a new barrel. But that got me thinking, why throw out the old one? I also have a .308 remmy that could use a krieger barrel. Could I cut the barrel down to 22" and get it cut to .308 specs? cost estimate? Thank you all. (this is a hypothetical question, the thing only has 700 down the tube or so)

 

[turbo54]

Re: "Recycling" a barrel

Yes, there is an outfit that does that. Name escapes me.

Of course, they claim its as good or better than a fresh barrel. It doesn't save money, as it costs as much as a new one.

Most of the cost in a barrel is labor.

 

[deadly0311]

Re: "Recycling" a barrel

Short answer....yes theoretically it could....but why in the world would you have a 400 dollar barrel re drilled, re rifled, re lapped, and the re stress relieved....just buy a new one.

 

[buffybuster]

Re: "Recycling" a barrel

Reboring a barrel is usually not cost effective, unless it has somekind of fancy contour or sight ribs which would be expensive to redo on another barrel.

 

[Lucky Jack]

Re: "Recycling" a barrel

I turn take off pipes into muzzle brakes and thread protectors.

 

[northern50]

Re: "Recycling" a barrel

Tomato plant stakes in the garden.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: "Recycling" a barrel

I don't believe in modifying barrels. In theory, a decent barrel has what it takes to end up decent after modification, but the costs involved cannot be justified, IMHO. A new barrel has all the same advantages, plus one extra, really important one; it's new.

Greg