Gunsmithing Rem 700 action/barrel work question

[beermj1]

I have a Rem 700 chambered in .308 with the stock barrel. The other day i was trying to determine the o.a.l. for my loads, and determined that it's about ~2.950" to have the bullet touching the rifling. However, the max length due to the magazine is 2.885". I understand that usually bullets are usually most accurate anywhere from 0.030" off the lands to ~0.015 into the lands. I want to get the action trued, while having that done could the barrel be cut and rechambered so it's closer to the max o.a.l.? Or would it cost just as much to just get a high quality barrel installed?

If it's going to cost just as much, i'd rather just get a better barrel.

 

[mram10]

Re: Rem 700 action/barrel work question

Sir,
I am no expert, but the bullet on the lands is not as crucial as once thought. Berger has some good info about this on their website. Harmonics are harmonics. I have a 300wsm with a mag length of 2.85, yet my 185 bergers touch at 2.972. They shoot better then sub moa out to 500 yards when I do my part and the load is not perfected. Try the mag length and do a Creighton Audette test from there to find your perfect load. Good luck.
ps - info I learned from experienced gunsmiths and it worked for me and the guys I shoot with.

 

[beermj1]

Re: Rem 700 action/barrel work question

thanks, that's good to know. i went out to the range a couple weeks ago, and shot a little over 100 rounds. sadly i only have a 200 yd range, but i was seeing 1.5" groups at 200 yards. I was pretty impressed seeing as how that's the second time i've shot the rifle, and the first time i've shot rounds that i've loaded. I haven't even began to tune my load, so we'll see how it goes

 

[Willys46]

Re: Rem 700 action/barrel work question

Your thoughts are right, But if your going to go through the trouble of having it trued and the barrel cut back, Wait and put a new barrel on it. I think you are wasting your money having a factory barrel set back.

Find a load that works, The 175 SMK can handel a jump to the lands all right. find a o.a.l that fits the mag well, and that will cycle reliable, and then work u a powder charge. To prove it, by some federal match 175 measure them and then shootem.

Willys46

 

[x ring accuracy]

Re: Rem 700 action/barrel work question

Cutting the barrel back won't help you in seating the rounds at .000 or into the lands, you are bound by your mag dimensions. I agree, a new barrel will help you shoot better but you will still be jumping into the lands.

 

[beermj1]

Re: Rem 700 action/barrel work question

I don't mean shortening the barrel, i meant, if you cut the back of the barrel you would shorten the chamber...then you would just need to recut the threads. But so far, it seems to shoot fairly well. i was seeing .750" groups at 100 yards, and 1.5" groups at 200 yards. So like Willys46 recommended i'll just leave it the way it is till i actually need to replace the barrel.

 

[x ring accuracy]

Re: Rem 700 action/barrel work question

Right, shoot it til you need a barrel, sounds like a keeper

 

[crumpmd]

Re: Rem 700 action/barrel work question

I shot my box stock 308 sub moa with match ammo for almost 15 years and thousands of rounds before it started opening up. I put a Kreiger 1-12 twist on it when I rebarreled. Knowing what I know now I would go 1-10 for the heavier bullets and shooting subsonics.

I agree, shoot it until it does not shoot well anymore, then customize it.

 

[beermj1]

Re: Rem 700 action/barrel work question

Thanks for the input guys