effects of changing a barrel

[rejrichard]

I have an opportunity to purchase a Browning A-Bolt II rifle that is only 3 years old for a pretty good price. The one thing that makes me nervous is that the rifle was originally a 280 rem with the BOSS attachment and the barrel was changed to a 30-06. I’m just wondering if I should be worried about buying a rifle that has had the barrel changed. It was changed with a new barrell. What kind of effects could this have on the accuracy, dependability, etc.

the seller has told me that the reason he changed it was because the 280 was very loud with BOSS. He also said that the reason he is selling, is because he moved to a different area and he does more bush hunting now.

Any information you would have on this would be great.

 

[Gibbs505]

Any change will affect the rifles performance. All you can do is shoot it and see. Fill the mag with rounds and work the action etc. Test it out well.

 

[bearhunter]

Brownings can be very fussy beasts. That being said, if you come accross one that shoots all factory offerings well and some do, hold onto it because they are dreams when they do.
Rebarreling will effect any rifle. It mostly depends on the time and care the gunsmith has put into the job as long as he has a good product to deal with in the first place.
If the barrel is a take off and remounted, it should be OK as long as everything is straight and true.
This barrel and action combo may be very good, it's the same as buying a new rifle, a crap shoot, there isn't a major manufacturer out there that will guarantee 3/4 inch or less groups with factory or handloaded ammo.
Look at the rifle or get a ten day option of return if you're concerned.
Factory ammunition is notorious for being phenomenal in some rifles and terrible in others and they vary from lot to lot. Handloading can cure the ills.
If the owner still has the 280 take off bbl, ask him to throw it in with the rifle or give him an extra $75 for it, you can always switch back.
Check the bbl for excessive fouling and crown damage or wear, check the bbl chnnel for oil, which if it gets into the action area will cause inconsistancy until properly cleaned out. These are a few of the most important things to check out and consider when eyeballing a used rifle. bearhunter

 

[sunray]

"...buying a rifle that has had the barrel changed..." It creates a whole new rifle. I'd ask him who changed it and have the headspace checked just to be sure though. Assuming it was changed by a smithy, it should be just fine. If the barrel wasn't changed properly(using a barrel vise and the correct action wrench), the action could be twisted.