Gunsmithing Rechambering Dilemma

[trailrider121]

I'm thinking of rechambering my savage SA 7mm-08 to 7 wsm this winter. It's a toss up to sell barrel or rechamber it. The barrel is a 24" criterion with around 250 round count, but I want to shoot 180 vld's. So my question is what kind of cost I'm I looking at to rechamber it vs cost of new barrel?

We dont have very many good gunsmiths around here, so I would feel comfortable to send it out to a smith that does this kind of work.Even would be better if he had a reamer for SA 7 wsm. What do you guys think? I plan to shoot mostly from 600-1K.

 

[dsink]

Re: Rechambering Dilemma

Going from 7/08 to 7 wsm is and easy rechamber job. The problem your probably going to run into is the twist on your current barrel is probably going to be to slow for the 180gr VLD's.

 

[trailrider121]

Re: Rechambering Dilemma

The barrel has a 1:9 twist. The rifle will be use for targets and carried for hunting. I've never rechambered a barrel so I have no idea what it will cost. Might have to buy new reamer from PTG. I've been doing some researching here on the hide, and need to make some calls to see if there are shops that might be setup to do the job. Who to call??

 

[turbo54]

Re: Rechambering Dilemma

If it were me, I'd sell the 708 barrel for what you can get out of it (maybe even to me)...

...and call up Jim @ Northland and get the Criterion 7RSAUM pre-fit.

Any reason you chose 7WSM? The 7RSAUM achieves the same velocities with the same bullets, only with less powder. Ok, maybe not QUITE, but DAMNED close.

 

[trailrider121]

Re: Rechambering Dilemma

Haha Turbo. I looked at the 7SAUM vs 7 wsm. Lots of info out there on those two chamberings. I chose the 7 wsm because of the ease of finding brass. I plan on using a short action and seems like its better to build a 7 SAUM off a Long Action to seat the bullets out.

The 7 wsm don't need to be hot rodded to get good velocity, and throat it for short action. That's the reason why 7 WSM, but the 7 SAUM is a cool round though.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Rechambering Dilemma

Don't forget about the bolt face diameter differences. You will need to fit or have fitted a different Savage Bolt Head to accommodate a magnum rim diameter. Not anything major, but it is an added expense, and there are a couple of versions out there, depending on the rifle's age, and it pays to know which is what. Barrel contour also has to fit into the existing channel.

My suggestion would be to hold onto the barrel, You are tired of the 7-08 now, but that may not always be the case. Nice to have the old barrel to fall back on. Magnums can get old.

Instead of selling or rechambering, I'd try for a prefit barrel. If you keep with cases that employ a .473" diameter cartidge base, you'll save on the bolt head coversion. Be aware that .308 based cases cannot just be rechambered for the .30-'06 based cases; the .308's shoulder diameter is wider than the .30-'06 case at the same height above the base. The barrel must be shortened several inches before this can work, and that may end up being too short for good efficiency.

The .284 Win and 280 Rem both use the same bolt face as the 7-08. The fired .280 case will extract and eject in a short action, but won't fit into the magazine and will need the bolt release to be tripped to extract a loaded round (which happens seldom enough to make it worth using the .280 Rem as a single shot action for comp/target shooting). In essence a .280 rem is a 7mm-'06, and is plenty adequate for 1000yd work.

A 1:9" twist will work for 168's and maybe for 175's, but longer bullets need a faster twist, or so I'm told. The .280 Rem will drive a Nosler 150gr BT to 1000yd supersonic without too much trouble. Gets the job done without the customary ripsnortin' magnum whackage, if if you consider that's a point worth considering. I do.

If you're going with a prefit, you're not limited to a 7mm bore. Here are some prefit choices with prices from Lothar-Walther USA. A Savage Varmint Contour is an available option for L-W prefit barrels. Honestly, if the cost of a new barrel is a deal breaker, maybe it's not the best time for a caliber swap.

Greg

 

[trailrider121]

Re: Rechambering Dilemma

I'm aware of changing bolt head to wsm, mag box as well. SSS quoted me $85 bucks for the change. I found a few places that will rechamber my barrel for 125-150 bucks.So I think the WSM would just hammer out to 1K easy. Whats the big difference in 168 vs 180 vld's. They seem to perform the same out to 1k from programs, but would like to hear real world performance.

Deciding to go with either 168' or 180 vld's.

 

[George63]

Re: Rechambering Dilemma

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trailrider121</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm aware of changing bolt head to wsm, mag box as well. SSS quoted me $85 bucks for the change. I found a few places that will rechamber my barrel for 125-150 bucks.So I think the WSM would just hammer out to 1K easy. Whats the big difference in 168 vs 180 vld's. They seem to perform the same out to 1k from programs, but would like to hear real world performance.

Deciding to go with either 168' or 180 vld's. </div></div>

have a good time doing business with SSS hope you are very patient and enjoy being lied to, in that case you will be satisfied

 

[trailrider121]

Re: Rechambering Dilemma

Thanks for the heads up on SSS. Really, are they that bad. It took a few days to speak to a person, hard to get a hold of. Maybe I should order now and will be ready for October.

 

[hntbambi]

Re: Rechambering Dilemma

Fred does decent work. I have had a couple barrels done by him and had one issue but he fixed it quickly. Another good option is Jim Briggs at Northland Shooting Supply. I have purchased 2 barrels from Jim and I am happy with both. He also has other parts. I can't say for sure if he had bolt heads in stock though. Call or e-mail him and ask.