To re-barrel or...

jparent

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I have a R700 and while i am fond of the rifle, it does not meet my requirements for the shooting i do. That could be solved, with a re-barreling.

My question is, would it be more cost effective to sell the rifle in it's factory condition and (i have an aftermarket stock, trigger and optic that i would keep) and buy a barreled action from a Canadian Company, or have my rifle re-barreled?
 
I don't see that a used barreled action is going to net you enough to come out ahead on the new one. You're paying someone to do the work, both ways.

Might want to wait for the dollar to do a bit better or ITAR to relax to buy the new barrel, too. You don't mention a timeframe.
 
I don't see that a used barreled action is going to net you enough to come out ahead on the new one. You're paying someone to do the work, both ways.

Might want to wait for the dollar to do a bit better or ITAR to relax to buy the new barrel, too. You don't mention a timeframe.

I wouldn't sell the barreled action, i would return the rifle to factory configuration and sell it as a complete rifle. Then look to have an action and barrel put together to go into my stock
 
...it cost me exactly the same to have my rifle rebarreled (the old one's throat was shot out after 3,000 rounds) as to have bought a new rifle in the new calibre

ps...i had to wait almost an entire year for the work to be completed...top-end gunsmith...and am very happy with the results...this was back in 2002
 
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A new barrel from a good custom maker installed will run you about $700-800, depending on the barrel and what the "smith" charges. If you're going that far, may as well get the action trued.($2-300??) Is it worth it??? In MY OPINION a definite YES. You'll end up with an accurate rifle just the way you want it. Twist rate for what you prefer to use, barrel dimensions for weight/length. If you buy something else you really can't control the final product results. Best of luck.
 
Depends if you like how your Rem 700 functions. Like others have said, you're looking at about $1000 to get a new barrel installed and your action trued. Or you can sell your rifle and buy a new action and have a barrel installed on it but most actions are in the $1500 range and then another $800ish to buy a barrel and have it installed. If you're happy with how your action runs, maybe stick with it. Generally, when/if reselling a "custom rig" you can never get out of it what you put in with the caveat that a custom action holds it's value better than a trued R700. I guess it really comes down to how much cash you want to spend and how much you can get for your current rifle in it's factory setup.
 
What do you plan to use the rifle for?

All around, hunting, run and gun. My only real issue with the gun is the weight. I wish it shot lighter bullets a bit better, but i can live with it. It has a really heavy barrel (16.5" Heavy Contour).

The only other option i considered, was fluting and truing, but i haven't found anyone to do it, and have heard mixed results of fluting a factory barrel.
 
The labour for truing a 700 can be about $175 and the labour to thread, chamber, crown a stainless contoured blank in most calibers about $275... and if you supply a good barrel it will most likely shoot under 1/2 inch, in the .300's with smaller cartridges.
 
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