How easy is it to rebarrel a 700?

[Downeast]

Buddy wants to rebarrel an older model .280 (with literally thousands of rounds down the tube) with a new .280 AI. I can rebarrel Savages (easy) but have never done a 700? I have the vise and the barrel wrench for 700's. How do you set headspace? Cut with a lathe? I suggested that he take it to a smith.

 

[Sharps40]

Headspace is typically set with the reamer on a blank or short chambered barrel. Long chambered barrels require lathe turning barrel breech and shoulder if your good...or breech face, shoulder and re reaming if you are average!


Or get a savage nut barrel.....

 

[Downeast]

"Remage barrels?"

Criterion Barrels Remage prefit |Northland Shooters Supply

Northland Shooters Supply offers prefit Remage barrels by Criterion barrels that are hand lapped match grade barrels, finished and fully chambered.

northlandshooterssupply.com

 

[Sharps40]

That's one brand

 

[tod0987]

"Remage" barrels which uses a "savage type" nut to adjust the headspace and are threaded in the Remington pitch are easy to swap out. I built a rifle with a blank 700SA 223bolt face and with the gauges and a vise it took about 10 minutes to get it just right and snugged down. If you have built a savage before, you can do this no problem. The only thing is that you may have to remove material from the stock to get the nut to fit. You do have to remove the ejector from the bolt with a drift punch in order to prevent a false headspace reading. The gauges are usually $60 for a set.

As far as brands of remage barrels there are lots and most have 4-12 week waits. I found this guy using X-caliber blanks and he reamed it and shipped the next day after a call to discuss what I wanted. I only have 50 rounds down it so far, so I don't have a yea/neh review https://www.crownridgebarrelworks.com/

You would need a Remage barrel ($450+), remage nut ($50), recoil lug ($40-100ish), and go/no gauges ($60ish).

The hardest part you will have is getting that old barrel off which will likely be "fun".

 

[JBoyette]

So,
What are you doing?
I mean is the throat worn out?
If not just rent a .280AI reamer and blow out the shoulder in the chamber and BAMB, you are done. Use a T handle to an some cutting fluid.
10 turns max.

https://4drentals.com/product/280-ai-saami/

John

 

[jimmyjames8]

Nothing to screwing one off and screwing one on with the right tools which the OP seems to have. A "custom" bbl will cost around $350 and another $300 to $350 to chamber, thread, headspace and crown. "Custom" bbls can be up to 12 mos wait right now.

 

[Sharps40]

Reaming to Ackley improved does not clean out the worn portion of the throat. Wasted time and effort there.

 

[Sharps40]

However a cheep try it is to rent a throater and reaming the throat lightly to clean it up after the ai rechamber. Then accuracy check factory (Fireform source) and longer seated handloads. Might add another 1000 or more accurate shots under 100 bucks and no pulling the barrel.

 

[Downeast]

Got a text this evening and my bud ordered a brand new Douglass barrel in .280 AI. 4-8 week turn around time. I told him to take it to a reputable Smith and he agreed. From all your comments I think he made the right decision. Thanks fellas.

 

[Sharps40]

Yep. And it gives him 2 people to Holler at if he don't like it! 🙄

 

[Joker00]

I own blood feather precision out of Littleton NC. I rebarrel rifles. I can do this In a lot less time than 2 months.

 

[Downeast]

Thank you for the the information @Joker00
I think he may have found someone nearby. It's about a 3 hour drive to Littleton from here. But I'll pass it on.

 

[iridgewa]

For what it’s worth…I’ve built 2 rifles using criterion Remage barrels from Northland and they are unbelievable. Ones a 6.5 creed and the other 25-06.