Gunsmithing New barrels with new serial #'s

[anthonylapoint]

I have an old Remington 700 LA in .270. The barrel is more then gone in it and its a mountain man rifle so its a really light barrel and gun for that caliber(commence with the snickering). I was hoping to rebarrel in something like a .260 with a slightly heavier barrel and not spend lots of money. I like the looks of the Remington XCR barrel because its 20" and fluted, so I called Remington to get an idea of pricing. Im the type of person who ALWAYS says hello and wait for a response. The customer rep simple waited for me to continue. Then, I inquired about a new barrel and she couldnt give me a price because they dont sell new barrels. She said it changes the serial number on the rifle so its not an option. WTF then how does everyone else get away with buying and selling barrels without this issue? Is this customer rep out of her mind or am I. I have a Savage that can stwitch barrels on, you mean to tell me every time I switch it goes from # to #? Dont people switch barrels all the time for comps? Or maybe what she meant to say is, Remington has a warranty process and they would have to install it? Anyway, f that. Anyone have any ideas for a cheap upgrade for a fluted medium contoured barrel about 20", 22" to the largest. This is a hunting rifle so it needs to stay light but accurate. Anyone have an XCR barrel for sale?

Well, thanks for the help guys. Anyone else have a remington story to bitch about too?

 

[jonaddis84]

Re: New barrels with new serial #'s

It wont change the serial #, however, switching out a 700 barrel is not like a Savage. Gunsmithing is REQUIRED, so you are better off taking it to a local smith proficient in this or shipping it out and let them take care of it.

 

[anthonylapoint]

Re: New barrels with new serial #'s

I am aware that it is a LA to a SA round incase someone was wondering about it. I do have a local gunsmith who would do it, I deffinatly wouldnt do it. But im just confused why she wouldnt sell me a barrel and then proceed to tell me it changes your serial.

 

[nuclabuyer]

Re: New barrels with new serial #'s

If you are interested in doing it youself there is an option to change your Remington 700 into a barrel nut type setup like a savage. Northlander

Some people dont like the Savage barrel nut but it is cheaper to gunsmith and I personally think my savages are at least as accurate as my Remington 700 with $700 worth of machining.

 

[biffj]

Re: New barrels with new serial #'s

The reason she won't sell you a barrel is because she doesn't know what the hell she's talking about. You have to remember that just because she works at a gun manufacturer doesn't mean she knows a gun from a truck. The BATF regs clearly state that the serial number is required to be on the receiver so swapping a barrel isn't going to change anything. Unfortunately you talked to a non-educated party who probably thought.....who knows what? Maybe she thought you were swapping your rifle for a new cal version or maybe she's just ignorant of reality. In any case you can legally swap the barrel out to any cal .50 or under with no notification to anyone or fear of legal repercussion. Not sure if going to a short round in a long action is reasonably doable but it probably is...

good luck
Frank

 

[anthonylapoint]

Re: New barrels with new serial #'s

Yeah, she is dumb as a rock. I have never heard of barrels changing serial #'s, otherwise a Savage wouldnt be so innovative. Maybe ill call back and get someone who isnt stupid...maybe.

 

[boshine]

Re: New barrels with new serial #'s

Remington will not re-barrel. They swap your barreled action for a new one. That is why you get a new serial number. I had remingtons that had bad barrels & they sent them back with letters that stated my rifle was repaired & had a new serial number.
in-range
(only for rifles under warranty)

 

[anthonylapoint]

Re: New barrels with new serial #'s

Thanks in range, guess that settles that and makes sense why they wouldnt just sell a barrel.

 

[boshine]

Re: New barrels with new serial #'s

Glad to help. When it happened to me I felt the same way.
in-range

 

[anthonylapoint]

Re: New barrels with new serial #'s

Oh well, found a used sps barrel thats 20", that will do just as well and 1/4 the price

 

[1snowcat]

Re: New barrels with new serial #'s

A new barrel is somewhere in the 350-400 dollar range for what you described you are looking for and another 200-250 to chamber and install it... According to most smiths I've talked to. You wont be sorry you did it. (should be a hammer when you are done) just keep an eye on here you might find a barrel you are looking for a smidge cheaper if your lucky, just pick one of the fine smiths on here and don't look back... While your at it I would look at having the action blueprinted as well sure cant hurt accuracy!!!

 

[former naval person]

Re: New barrels with new serial #'s

Savage MOA...you may get lucky and find that it headspaces out correctly. Careful tho...make sure your "gunsmith" whoever he is checks out the headspacing when swapping those barrels.

 

[Beef_Supreme]

Re: New barrels with new serial #'s

Let me clear this up in a jiff. The reason she said the barrel came with a new serial number is because Remington doesn't REbarrel ANYthing. They pull a new barreled receiver off the line, and if your bolt is in safe condition- they use it with a new barreled action, right off the assembly line. Remington isn't a 'gunsmith' shop or anything else, they put barrels on in their assembly line, they do not have a 'take barrels' off area. They do not employee 'gunsmiths' except in the Custom Shop, everyone else is a 'repairman' and is a factory worker.
If you want the original receiver rebarelled, then most of the previous posts have informed you of options. Sending it to the 'factory' is not one of them.

 

[anthonylapoint]

Re: New barrels with new serial #'s

Im gonna have the gunsmith check out the action, lugs and barrel when I have him put it together. The SPS barrel was under $100 with less then 200 rounds, so I couldnt say no. Its gonna be more of a hunting rifle then anything but I still need accuracy and safety and reliability. My tack driver will be my Savage 10 chambered in a 6x hart barrel.