Build or buy

[Remfarmer]

I have a late 80's or early 90's Remington 700 short action in 22/250. After many years of varmint hunting it sits quietly in my safe. I am thinking of having new life and a new barrel put on this once accurate rifle and am trying to see if the cost would justify the means. I could buy a new .260 or .308 and go from there but wonder if a custom barrel and newer optics might give more satisfaction? I bought a Bobby Hart laminated long range rifle stock that I really like but never used and it would be easy to accept either of my decision to build or buy. Thoughts?​

 

[mram10]

Guessing most here would say build. “Buy once, cry once” seems to be the motto here. Best of luck

 

[jepp2]

I am thinking of having new life and a new barrel put on this once accurate rifle and am trying to see if the cost would justify the means.

Several years ago, I was where you are now. I was trying to justify the cost of re-barreling a rifle. I looked at the cost of a premium barrel, and the cost to have it chambered and fit. $300 for the barrel, $400 for the chambering. I could buy a new rifle cheaper.

But after having my first rifle re-barreled, there is no factory barrel that will compare to a quality aftermarket barrel. Accuracy will be much improved and you will not believe how little copper will collect in the barrel after break-in.

Now I just view the barrel as a consumable that needs to be replaced in time, if you shoot enough. If you don't, you will enjoy the benefits for the life of the rifle. I never look back.

 

[nmkid]

The problem is, (was for me anyhow) once you start on this semi-custom stuff you can't stop!! LOL.

 

[mr45man]

The problem is, (was for me anyhow) once you start on this semi-custom stuff you can't stop!! LOL.

That's right. A crappy barrel, trigger, bolt,timing.
Head space, just will no longer be acceptable

 

[Sniper338]

remage barrel and barrel nut from xcaliber.... and boom you got a new rig.. and go/no go gauge.

order it, comes chambered and ready to put on your action with caliber of choice..

 

[carlsbad]

Putting a new barrel on it will get you more accuracy than you ever had.

Custom action will get you things like side bolt release, excellent primary extraction, very smooth action. If you are ok with those things on the stock rifle, and all you want is your accuracy back, rebarrel. --Jerry

 

[Rich S]

If you are happy with the action Id
Rebarrel it and bed it in the stock you have. If you upgrade the trigger it could transfer to custom if you decide to upgrade latter. Of course if you sell the current rifle, you have a good downpayment on a custom action.

 

[dsculley]

I agree with Sniper338. A new pre-fit barrel won't break the bank and will shoot as well as a full custom. Call Northland Shooters Supply. I got a Criterion for my Savage that is impressive. Northland has Criterion and Shilen. You can't go wrong with either.

 

[stalkingbear]

Your decision whether to buy or build should be based on the level of performance you want, and the ranges/uses you're going to use it for. For example, ALL factory rifles are 1 size fits all, and if the particular features/specs isn't offered, you're out of luck & have to settle for the closest thing available. When you build a rifle, every aspect, spec, cartridge, and dimension is chosen by YOU, for exacting fit, component quality, specs. Unless you buy something like the excellent 40 X/40 XB line from Remington, or some other top quality rifle, no factory barrel will be as uniform as a custom barrel, hand fitted. Well it IS possible, but the tolerance stackup coming together perfectly is akin to winning a big lottery. Speaking as a retired custom rifle builder, everybody deserves a really great shooting custom rifle at least once in his (or her) lifetime!

 

[Mozella]

remage barrel and barrel nut from xcaliber.... and boom you got a new rig.. and go/no go gauge.

order it, comes chambered and ready to put on your action with caliber of choice..

I'm a big fan of Savage for precisely this reason. A "Remage"; i.e. Rem action with a barrel nut, gives you the same ability to fit and headspace a new barrel yourself. It's easy and you need not be a gunsmith to do it. You need a few cheap and simple tools, but they cost less than shipping an action to a licensed dealer/gunsmith to have a custom barrel fitted.

I agree that buying a new "drop in" barrel with a Remage style barrel nut from X caliber or someone else, fitting it at home, and bedding it in the stock that the OP really likes (and already owns) is not only cost effective, it will result in a better shooting rifle than buying a new factory built gun, plus the OP will have a pride of ownership feeling that money alone can't buy.

The barrel should cost right around $400 and another $100 should get you a can of Devcon epoxy and the tools necessary to fit the new SS custom barrel which will be made to your exact specifications including contour, caliber, twist rate, crown type, length, fluting or not, custom engraving, etc. Usually with a factory gun you don't get all the choices you really want.

 

[Barlow]

I recently put a new Rock Creek .257 diam barrel on an old Ruger TS and am completely happy with it. Put a new custom barrel of your choice and chambering on that 700 and have at it. jmo Barlow