Changing from .300WM to .308

[Cut]

I'm debating changing my long action M40A3 built from TBA from .300WM to .308. I had recently sold my Remington PSS so instead of replacing it I was going this route.

Thought about sending the rifle to Hart and have them install a new barrel. The action has already been trued so should be a simple fix.

Any down sides to doing this? I can get the barrel vise and other tools from Brownells when I want to go back to .300WM.

Cut

 

[Rob01]

Re: Changing from .300WM to .308

300WM and .308 have a different bolt face. Not as easy as just a new barrel. You will need to find a long action .473 bolt face bolt.

 

[Cut]

Re: Changing from .300WM to .308

Can I get a replacement bolt? Or would I still need a donor action?

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[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Changing from .300WM to .308

IIRC you can order a new bolt from PTG and have it fitted to your action when you have the rifle re-barreled. However, I really suggest just selling that rifle and buying a .308. Unless you really want to run long COL cartridges, the short action is going to be better off.

 

[Jig Stick]

Re: Changing from .300WM to .308

stay with the 300winmag. why are you downsizing

 

[Cut]

Re: Changing from .300WM to .308

Not really downsizing. I have a .338 Lapua as well. But was wanting to be able to shoot a lot during classes and not burn up barrels. And also didn't want to replace a new rifle, new scope, new this and new that. Just trying to keep things simple.

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[vman]

Re: Changing from .300WM to .308

Ahhh i c i c.

If you have the .338lapua theres not much point in a .300winmag in my opinion... unless theres some radical breakthrough in heavy .30cal projectiles.

mmmm im sure theres a million people out there who will disagree.

I would just buy another whole new platform if it were me, bar the scope.

 

[Top Cat]

Re: Changing from .300WM to .308

By the time you buy a new bolt and have it fit to the receiver, send it off for a new barrel and mag parts you could buy a short action 308 with the money and have 3 rifles. You can always sell a nice 300WM, but a 300WM is handy to have around.

TC

 

[Guest]

Re: Changing from .300WM to .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cut</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not really downsizing. I have a .338 Lapua as well. But was wanting to be able to shoot a lot during classes and not burn up barrels. And also didn't want to replace a new rifle, new scope, new this and new that. Just trying to keep things simple.

Cut </div></div>

Why not just load to the very bottom of 300 spec's? Many very slow 300 loads in Lyman's book's.

 

[Driftwood]

Re: Changing from .300WM to .308

If you do decide to rebarrel and buy a new bolt face, why not look at a 30-06 instead of a 308? You can load it down to 308 velocities or up near 300 WM performance. Since its a long action a 30-06 would have less problems feeding. If it were mine, I would either just keep it 300WM or sell it and buy something in a caliber that that better met my needs.

 

[fdkay]

Re: Changing from .300WM to .308

A PTG bolt will set you back about 300 bills, spinning a new hart barrel will cost you around 400 and change.
A really good option would be to buy the new bolt, order a barrel nut setup from Jim Northland, get your .308 or whatever barrel, buy a .300 WM barrel and have a switch barrel setup for your remington.
Bergara, Shilen and McGowan offer "Rem-Age" barrel nut systems.

If you went the '06 route, there are a couple of match loads out for the Garand that should work nicely, you probably handload, so a .280 would be an excellent option, or the always excellent 6.5x55.

You won't be able to buy an off the shelf remington with the accuracy capability that you current action has.