Orphaned Barrels: what to do?

[Cowsearshooter]

I have two "spare" barrels in .308 1:10" twist; both are of exceptional quality.

The first is a Kreiger stainless cut to 20", chambered in .308x39mm, threaded for a CZ-527, and muzzle threaded for 5/8-24TPI.

The second is a new-old stock Winchester Marksman barrel chambered in 30-06 (throated for M72 match ammo), 26" long, and has a minor imperfection at the neck which precludes its use in the rapid fire stage.

I'll likely rechamber the Kreiger in 308 with a M852 reamer and strap it to my Tikka T3 stainless lite (currently in 338 Federal) as a switch barrel. But this leaves the Winchester barrel.

So what should I do?

I've considered three basic options:
1. leave it the hell alone and shoot the barrel as is when the time comes
2. Rechamber it in some sort of Magnum (308 Norma tops the list) and buy a bolt for the Win 70 so I can use it
3. Rechamber it and rethread it for the other Tikka in 308 (will have to be cut to 25")

I hate wasting good steel--any suggestions out there? Anyone shooting the 308 Norma?

 

[buffybuster]

Re: Orphaned Barrels: what to do?

How much do you shoot the .308Win? Two barrels is at least 10K rounds worth.

Why are you looking at .308NormaMag? A 300WM would be much simpler.

 

[Cowsearshooter]

Re: Orphaned Barrels: what to do?

The Kreiger will be on a hunting rifle--I fully expect that to last for the rest of my natural life (and beyond).

I should think a 5k round life on a 308 will last me about 2 shooting seasons between practice and matches. If I opted for a magnum type cartridge it might come out the same (2 seasons) as I would not shoot it except for in prone matches which require a lot lower round count.

The 300 WM is on the list (in second place) but I hand load regardless (with Norma brass for the long line) and the 308 Norma has some attributes which lend themselves well to the overall picture.

The slightly longer neck of the 308 Norma, similar usable case capacity (70-72 grains of IMR-4350 under a 180 grain bullet), and modest advantage in efficiency (in a relatively short 26" barrel) all favor the 308 Norma.

On the other hand, if I was one of the few that had access to a ready supply of 300 WM ammo for nearly nothing, this would be a moot point.

They are both excellent cartridges and similar in most respects. But if you are going to have a custom gun for which you hand load, why not have one with a touch of an edge?