Remington 700 RE-Barrel project Question

[T.Rhodes]

I've got an idea for a re-barrel project on 700SA in 223rem that I have and would like to get some opinions/advice from those better in-the-know than me (just about everybody).

I want to do a Remage barrel swap (NorthLand Shooting Supply). But I want to change the bolt and get a 308 bolt face and get a Criterion barrel in 6.5CM - varmint contour, 29" threaded muzzle.

I "think" this should be an easy doable swap since I'll be setting head space with go/nogo gauges.

Use for the finished project would be general shooting/plinking out to 600 yards or so.

Am I missing something in the difficulty or feasibility of this? I know it would easier/cheaper to just go buy a factory 6.5cm, but I like doing projects like this.

What do you think? TIA

EDIT : The existing barrel is an aftermarket - not a Remington factory installed one.

 

[Preacher]

Not a problem at all, I have a few rifles with 2 different bolts for when I change out barrels..

 

[Riesel]

As per Preacher, just purchase/trade for a SA .308 size bolt and you're good to go. Go/NoGo gauges and the proper wrenches will make this doable.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

I've got a .308 bolt I'll trade.
PM me please

 

[kendog]

The only issue I can think of is the mag box and feed lips/release points are different for each cartridge. Mag box and follower are easy to change out, integral feed lips not so much. Most likely the 308 will function better as a single loader.

 

[Fast14riot]

Get either a pinned recoil lug or an alignment tool to hold the lug. Unless you have an action wrench with a lug alignment slot.

 

[DaveTooley]

feed rails are different

 

[T.Rhodes]

Get either a pinned recoil lug or an alignment tool to hold the lug. Unless you have an action wrench with a lug alignment slot.

I haven't got anything for this project yet and will using James at North Land to walk me through spefically what I need. Thanks for the input.

 

[T.Rhodes]

feed rails are different

Tell me more detail...not with you on this.

 

[DaveTooley]

The distance between the rails in the bottom of the action are spaced differently. Narrow for 223 and wider for 308 base family of cases. Those two class of cartridges are not interchangeable using standard Remington magazine boxes, follower and springs.

 

[Eagle Six]

The distance between the rails in the bottom of the action are spaced differently. Narrow for 223 and wider for 308 base family of cases. Those two class of cartridges are not interchangeable using standard Remington magazine boxes, follower and springs.

Side question Dave. If using a center feed AICS magazine will it make any difference?

 

[T.Rhodes]

The distance between the rails in the bottom of the action are spaced differently. Narrow for 223 and wider for 308 base family of cases. Those two class of cartridges are not interchangeable using standard Remington magazine boxes, follower and springs.

Thanks for the reply. Here's a pic of the 223 mag box and the 308 mag box. The opening in the action is the same but the 223 mag box is contoured to fit that case. There is spacer box at one end of the 233 mag box.
Or am I still not getting it?

 

[jobhopper66]

I am quite sure Mr. Tooley is talking about the action itself and not anything at all to do with the magazine box. It's above the magazine box that will give you feeding issues.

 

[cranky]

I'm not seeing it either. Even the feed ramp profile is the same, defined by the bolt nose. I have 204 and 308 receivers on my bench, the only difference is the bolt face and extractor. Mag box or AICS pattern is the variable of concern.

 

[Preacher]

Sure am glad I only shoot single shots as a rule..
I can switch barrels to my hearts content with no problems at all..

 

[whatsupdoc]

Thanks for the reply. Here's a pic of the 223 mag box and the 308 mag box. The opening in the action is the same but the 223 mag box is contoured to fit that case. There is spacer box at one end of the 233 mag box.
Or am I still not getting it?

Post a pic of both actions side by side without the mag boxes in place.

I dont have a700 308 action to compare but my 700 223 action will feed
6.5 creed out of an acis magazine.

 

[Sniperhandle]

Thanks for the reply. Here's a pic of the 223 mag box and the 308 mag box. The opening in the action is the same but the 223 mag box is contoured to fit that case. There is spacer box at one end of the 233 mag box.
Or am I still not getting it?

Listen to Dave Tooley, He has built thousands of them.

 

[WSnyder]

Side question Dave. If using a center feed AICS magazine will it make any difference?

No because the.223 feed rails are too narrow to allow the.308 to feed. The rim of the .308 would never raise high enough for the bolt to touch it. If you leave the feed rails as is the only way for the .308 to work is to single feed.

 

[WSnyder]

Or am I still not getting it?

Are you sure the feed rail openings on the bottom of the action are the same width and shape? I’ve never seen a .223 the same as a .308. I can’t see how either would function in the other. See pictures.
1) .223 left, .308 right
2) .223 left, .308 right
3) .308 left, .223right

 

[Fast14riot]

I haven't got anything for this project yet and will using James at North Land to walk me through spefically what I need. Thanks for the input.

I've done a few with nothing more than the barrel vise blocks in my bench vise, kleinendorst lug tool and a barrel nut wrench. No action wrench, and if you took the Guffy school of headspace lessons, but make sure bolt nose clearance is appropriate too, you can get a perfectly safe and good shooting gun in about 30 minutes.