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What to do with a "problem" rifle????

K

kill_goose

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 8, 2010
313
0
44
MT
#1
Ive got a decision to make.

Ive got a Rem 700 VLS in .308 that to put bluntly, needs work. This is only the second 700 ive ever had that, at minimum, wasn't shooting to a point where I felt confident I could improve with my meager gunsmithing "skills".

I either have to get rid of it and risk having getting another lemon, or pay someone to tweak it and possibly still not have a shooter.

Not that im not a fan of the .308, but the more I read up on the .260 Rem, the more it calls to me (this is for a practical, long range coyote killer, not just whacking paper or steel). Debating springing for the extra cost of re-barreling to a .260.

Whats the general concensus on the .260 vs .308 for long range hunting?
 
#2
Re: What to do with a "problem" rifle????

If it's not shooting then get a new barrel. You can either spend $700 on another factory rifle and make the crap shoot about how it will shoot or about the same to have the action trued and a custom barrel put on your rifle and have a much better chance of having an excellent shooter. That's a no brainer.

Now just figure out the caliber you will be rebarreling to and go for it.
 
#3
Re: What to do with a "problem" rifle????

I would break down and have it rebarreled in 260. I've got a GAP 308 that rairly gets shot anymore because I'm usually shooting my 260 or 7WSM. I don't hunt anymore but would think that the 260 at long range would "catch up" energy wise with the 308. Another consideration is if you reload or not as you have much more variety in the 308.
 
#4
Re: What to do with a "problem" rifle????

308 is an awesome round that is very capable of killing anything in North America. The 700 short action is proven to be quite capable as well. There are countless high end gunsmiths that can turn your rifle into a laser. Personally, if I found the rifle lacking, I would sell it and call a high end shop and see what they have on their shelves that fit your needs and pocketbook.

FWIW, I typically use a .22-250 for the local coyote population, though I have taken plenty with a .22 rimfire. I use my AI AW and Robar SR90, both in .308, for long distance hunting and varminting. These days, the larger guns rarely get taken out; they are such overkill.
 
#5
Re: What to do with a "problem" rifle????

Yeah, the .22-250 is my "go to" coyote gun too. But with the added calling pressure the last few years as coyote hunting gets more popular, the more the coyotes like to sit out at 600+ yards thumbing they're nose at ya. And when you got people relying on you for a body count, ya gotta be able to reach out to them, and often up here, in breezy conditions. The 250 just doesn't hack it past 400 yards.

I am a reloader, and have a good supply of .308 Lapua brass that could be converted over to .260.

I guess im just looking for the push over the proverbial cliff in making a decision as to switching calibers.
 
#6
Re: What to do with a "problem" rifle????

Have it re barreled, I purchased a 700 adl @ Dicks sporting goods they were selling them for $425 so i figured i had to have one. worst shooting rifle i ever had. hand loads didn't help either. to load the bullet anywhere near the rifling with 155s (.308)the bullet would fall out of the case. I can't have the barrel set back and rechambered because it tapers to quickly. so a new barrel is what it will have to be.
It's a shity way to find out you should bought custom action to begin with. If your going to build that action into into a quality rifle. I suggest you sell it now and build what you want. you have the same cash into it.

Scott
 
#8
Re: What to do with a "problem" rifle????

Looks like going to a .260 seems to be the general concensus.

Ive been rolling it around for a while, and honestly the only thing that worries me is brass availability, or the fact I may have to make brass, and I hate reloading, so adding steps to that is a red mark for me.
 
#9
Re: What to do with a "problem" rifle????

I heard from a guy that supposedly heard from a Lapua rep that Lapua is going to start making .260 Rem brass. Anyone else heard that?
 
#11
Re: What to do with a "problem" rifle????

I have a model 700 that started out as a VLS, and when i got it, it would not shoot what so ever. I bought it used, cleaned it good prior to shooting, and first 10 rounds i put down range, put a group on the page of almost 9 inches across. checked on the scope rings, that made a marginal difference (2 inches). checked all the screws mounting the gun to the stock, no difference, did the trigger, that cut it by half, and then did the stock inlet thing on the forend, and that cut it down to about 1.25" groups with factory ammo
 
#14
Re: What to do with a "problem" rifle????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: M.45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Stick with the .308, it's got a longer barrel life and will shoot just a well as a .260. </div></div>

I agree. You already have 308 brass too.

I know what you mean about the Coyotes getting smarter. I never take a shot that I am not certain of because a miss means there is a smarter coyote out there. A good 308 will take coyotes at 600 yards no problem.
 
#17
Re: What to do with a "problem" rifle????

I have em both. My 308 is my go to weapon for killin stuff!

AAC sells a 260 barrel thats damn near a drop in in 260 and 308. There is a thread around here somewhere abou them. I think the 308 is around the 20" mark and the 260 is in the 24-26" range..
 
#18
Re: What to do with a "problem" rifle????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dazza</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Find the problem and fix the problem. No point replacing the barrel if the problem is it needs bedding or something else, you'll just have another caliber that shoots bad. </div></div>

Pretty much had everything done to it but an action job and barrel.

I dont know how much trueing up an action will help if the problem is the barrel. My original plan was to have the action blueprinted and have the barrel set back to minimum specs, but if the problem is the barrel....that seems like a waste of money if I just have to do it again and pay another fee to have a good barrel put on.
 
#20
Re: What to do with a "problem" rifle????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kill_goose</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I heard from a guy that supposedly heard from a Lapua rep that Lapua is going to start making .260 Rem brass. Anyone else heard that? </div></div>

I might be that guy...

Awhile back I talked to a Lapua rep. who told me that they were to, with strong possibility, reveal .260 Rem brass at SHOT 2011 this year. I'm thinking that it will hit the stores sometime in March-April 2011....just my guess. I posted this in another thread a few weeks ago.

For the OP: If you can afford good brass and handload, by all means go .260 Rem. Pretty much the .260 leaves the .308 behind at about 750yards. For me, a .260 means to never have to worry about transonic issues at long distances. As my medium go to load will do 1300+ yards with no worries. Not liking to reload and availability of ammo would lead me to stick with the .308. Either way I'd rebarrel and get something that shoots better than you. No sense in slinging a $1 a shot down the barrel for match ammo in a gun that don't produce match results.

See my link below for my .260 Rem. I had built. I handload for it, but my God is it worth it.
 
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