5r gen2 or what?

[SM7]

Hi everyone. I’m new to shooting bolt guns. I built a Rem 700 with a 16.5” barrel in 308. At the time I wanted a short precision rifle to eventually throw a can on it. Rifle is sitting in a Grayboe ridgeback, seekins base and rings, triggertech special, and Pst gen 2 3-15ffp. Rifle shoots pretty tight groups, but heats up quick and opens up more than I like.

I considered a rebarrel to 20” 308 Bartlein, but after barrel, install, and trueing ($950) I could get a new rifle. I’m considering a 5r gen2 in 20”. I would like a rifle that could be stretched a little further all the while holding tight groups. I don’t have access to anything further than 200yds unless I join a local club that has 600yds and may be adding 1000yds. I don’t foresee my self reloading or getting into competitions. Looking for some advice as I’m contemplating selling my current base rifle and keeping the rest for another rifle.

 

[stello1001]

Rebarreling and truing IMO is going to be the better route. You can instead buy a new 5r gen2 as you mentioned but it's still gonna be a rem700 and it's still not gonna be trued. This is just my opinion though.

 

[Codiekfx400]

Factory barrels open up when hot because of improper heat treating or no heat treating. If your looking for a nice factory rifle with a custom barrel the price starts at about $1800 and goes up from there. https://www.guns2ammo.com/product-search-results?search_text=Mpa+pmr

 

[supercorndogs]

Send it off to get a top quality barrel installed. It will shoot, buying a new remington may or may not.

 

[SM7]

Rebarreling and truing IMO is going to be the better route. You can instead buy a new 5r gen2 as you mentioned but it's still gonna be a rem700 and it's still not gonna be trued. This is just my opinion though.

I agree and I’m taking a chance buying another factory gun.

 

[SM7]

Send it off to get a top quality barrel installed. It will shoot, buying a new remington may or may not.

I agree

 

[6brshooter]

I'd get a different estimate on rebarreling. That seems high. Also 30cal blanks always sit around in px section, I've saw several good blanks linger at 250-300 $ range. You might find a nice 308 barreled action for cheap in the px here. I was tempted to snag one, trued 700 action and bart 22" threaded for 575, 30rds on it. Luckily someone else bought it and saved me money.

 

[Ledzep]

I'll echo what others have said. A new barrel + install should be under $650.

I wouldn't worry about truing the action unless there's a problem (not contacting on one lug). The benefits are theory based and I haven't seen a single source show improvement in accuracy from truing the action. Happy to be educated if someone can provide a source. I've done testing purposely misaligning the barrel in the receiver and shown no degrade in accuracy potential. YMMV.

P.S. Remington 5r barrels are much better than the 6-groovers but I'd still put my money in a known-quality blank before gambling with green and gold.

 

[gasrat]

I have a 5R Gen 2 that shoots very well. But like others said, it’s hit or miss with today’s Remington’s.

 

[SM7]

I'll echo what others have said. A new barrel + install should be under $650.

I wouldn't worry about truing the action unless there's a problem (not contacting on one lug). The benefits are theory based and I haven't seen a single source show improvement in accuracy from truing the action. Happy to be educated if someone can provide a source. I've done testing purposely misaligning the barrel in the receiver and shown no degrade in accuracy potential. YMMV.

P.S. Remington 5r barrels are much better than the 6-groovers but I'd still put my money in a known-quality blank before gambling with green and gold.

That’s good to know and now has me questioning on avoiding that step. I’ll have to talk to the Smith and see what they recommend. I live near Bartlein and one of their guys referred me to this shop.