Rem. 700 barrel swap, would you?

[Dan877]

I've got a 700 BDL in .308 with a 22' sporter weight barrel that shoots pretty darn good for a factory barrel, but I'd really like a heavier and longer barrel for informal 300 to 500 yard bench play and varmint blasting. Last week I found a new take off Remington .308 26' varmint barrel pretty cheap so I grabbed it. I figure I can sell the original stock and barrel and get enough to buy a varmint stock, so all I'll be out is what I paid for the barrel and the cost of having it swapped.

My quandary is, is it worth doing that? Or would I most likely be just as well off selling the rifle as is and just buying a varmint barreled rig? I bought the rifle new around 1990, is there any thing that makes my action more desirable than a new one, other than the J-lock thing? I'd appreciate some knowledgeable opinions,'if you was me what would you do?'

Dan

 

[Preacher]

That extra 4 inches will cost you money in the long run....
No guarantee the new one will shoot any better, and I always suspect a factory take off barrel unless it's brand new... and wouldn't put money on that either..
I think I would rather put a custom barrel on it, and be done with it...

 

[Shootndig]

Personally, I'd shoot the one you've got 'till it doesn't, then order a new Stainless match barrel and while you're waiting, screw the new takeoff on and find out what you've got. Just my 2 cents.