Gunsmithing remington 700 barrel swapping

[teneyedoc]

OK, here is the deal. My girlfriend has informed me she wants a rifle that "kicks" harder than her 10/22. I have a lefty rem 700 sps varmint in .243 that I bought because I shoot lefty and got a good deal. I would prefer a .308, I think. So, here is the question. If I buy a 700 in .308 for her, how much should I expect to pay to have the barrels swapped?

This of course is dependent on her call on whether she likes the .243 or not.

 

[wadebrown]

Re: remington 700 barrel swapping

You will need a gunsmith to swap the barrels as they are going to need headspacing, or at least verify that the headspace is correct.

 

[Thud]

Re: remington 700 barrel swapping

Just let her shoot the 308. Why change a ggod thing.
Barrel cost krieger now 320.00 + 250.00 chamber and fit=570.00
Leave well enough alone more money for ammo.

 

[teneyedoc]

Re: remington 700 barrel swapping

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Thud</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just let her shoot the 308. Why change a ggod thing.
Barrel cost krieger now 320.00 + 250.00 chamber and fit=570.00
Leave well enough alone more money for ammo. </div></div>

My plan is to buy a right handed 308, then have the 308 barrel put on my lefty and the .243 put on her righty. I don't think I'm good enough to justify buying an aftermarket barrel. The factory barrels will serve their purpose just fine for both of us. A krieger would be a waste of money for me right now, you are right, it should be spent on ammo. As for her shooting 308, that's cool, but she can help pay for that one. I'm going for the most bang for buck on this one for right now out of my pocket.

Aside from actually removing and swapping the barrels from one rifle to the other, the smith should only have to check/adjust headspace, correct? I guess I'm curious about labor costs...

 

[Thud]

Re: remington 700 barrel swapping

Yes. Check headspace and adjust if needed.

 

[teneyedoc]

Re: remington 700 barrel swapping

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Thud</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes. Check headspace and adjust if needed. </div></div>

Thanks,
I appreciate it. I think that is the route I'm gonna go if she digs the .243.

 

[HarryCallahan]

Re: remington 700 barrel swapping

Sell me your lefty 243, get yourself a lefty 308. I will even send you back your 243 barrel if you pay to ship it so you have a spare.

 

[pklin1297]

Re: remington 700 barrel swapping

Why not try a Savage? Buy a barrel from any of the top barrel makers and change the barrel yourself.

You can also check over at savageshooters.com. Northlander is selling his Remage (Remington/Savage) barrel nut system now that will allow you to swap barrels on a Rem like a Savage. Of course you will have to have your Remington barrel made to utilize that system.