Longer COAL in Rem 700

[kyotekiller25]

I was doing some tinkering around with my Rem 700 in 7-300 win mag earlier today with bullet measurements. The smith who built the rifle didn't really throat it properly unfortunately. On the flip side of that, its also probably the best shooting rifle I've ever owned. When I had it built 10 years ago, my plan was to shoot the 162 amax from the 28" Bartlein 9 twist. There were no really good high bc bullets other than the 168/180 bergers back then. Anyway, the 162 amax hit the lands at around 3.450" which is very short, and the bullet is seated way down in the case. I shot them for 7 years or so before finally switching to the 180g ELDMs. These hit the lands around 3.5" But again, these are seated very very deep in the case. The dreaded "donut" got me thinking well just how far out do these 180s need to be seated to not be in that area? I haven't experienced donut issue yet from the Nosler brass that's been fired about 10x, but just got me curiois anyway. From my crude measurements I'm coming up with around 3.750" which is a tad bit longer than you can fit, feed, and function through the factory mag. I'm well aware of Wyatts extended box mags as I had to have one for my 338 EDGE/300g SMK build years ago. I think that allowed me to get to 3.8" or so. I'm just wondering if that is the most cost effective way to get a longer COAL? I have a McMillan A5 stock, but it's just inletted for the standard BDL bottom metal. Would it be worth it to convert to M5 AICS mag setup? Can a guy install the Wyatts mag box himself? The M5 detach mag set ups are pretty spendy from my limited research. Could I have a smith go in and just ream out the throat to the new desired length? And if so, could that potentially be a risk on ruining how it shoots?Here is a couple pictures to represent what I'm talking about with the bullet lengths.

 

[HTSmith]

And if so, could that potentially be a risk on ruining how it shoots?

Yes. Your rifle shoots great. Your brass has been resized 10 times with no issues. My advice would be to leave it alone and chamber your next barrel to your liking. Just my opinion.

 

[boltfluter]

Yes. Your rifle shoots great. Your brass has been resized 10 times with no issues. My advice would be to leave it alone and chamber your next barrel to your liking. Just my opinion.

This. No way would I have someone go in and mess with the throat of a great shooting rifle. You have no donut issues, so just run with it. From a machining point of view, doing an operation in two steps, that can be done in one step, is just asking for trouble. Make your adjustments to your next barrel and hope that it shoots as good as your current barrel. Enjoy.
Paul

 

[kyotekiller25]

Thanks guys. I was kinda leaning towards the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" way.

 

[K22]

Thanks guys. I was kinda leaning towards the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" way.

Amen!

 

[D-4297]

My Grand dad saw me working on my pristine Triumph Bonneville one day , when I was about twenty , and he asked what I was doing . Trying to get more speed out of "her" by changing the carb jets , I said .
He replied ; Is it broke ?
No , I said .
Does it run good ?
Yes , I replied .
Then stop trying to fix what ain't broke , he growled , as he walked away !
I've carried that piece of advice for the last fifty-five years .

 

[AckleymanII]

The only thing I would fix is the Nosler brass due to soft case heads, no federal either....Winchester or AGD.

Your barrel will like the 162 or the 180 best. If you can ever get your hands on any 160g Sierra TMK, buy them!

 

[kyotekiller25]

This Nosler brass has been quite good really. It has like 10 firings on it and pockets are still tight, and they've never been annealed. I'm just using a middle of the road load for accuracy, so that's definitely helped with case life. 180s at 3000fps from a 28" tube. Whenever the Noslers decide to quit holding primers, or the necks split, I have both Winchester and Lapua brass. The Lapua is going to be for sale since I'll have to turn the necks, which isn't something I want to do.

I have a box of the 160g TMKs but they're for the wifes 7/08. Not a good enough BC for me or the 7-300. I have 12 boxes of the 180 eldms so that's what we're using for a while.

When it's time to rebarrel, I'll have an extended box mag put in, and make sure it's throated right this time around...

 

[STOMP442]

I have said forever that where the bullet sits in the case is the least of my concern when it comes to getting a cartridge/rife to shoot well. Take the .260 Remington for example, nobody likes it because you have to seat the bullet deeper in the case to get it to fit a standard magazine. Truth be told it will shoot just as well if not better than the touted Creedmoor while providing a bit more performance in most instances just the way it is.