Rebarrel or Rechamber my .243 Ackley?

[BLD]

My problem is I have a 700 Rem action with a medium lengh bolt and a regular bolt face. The barrel is a Mclellan (canadian match grade) stainless with nickle finish. I have excess head space and a small pit in the chamber. The bolt lugs are beginning to gaul. I have shot a .223" group with it the way it is but I want the gun to be right. My gunsmith is recommending to replace the barrel with an HS Precision or cut off my barrel and rechambering it. I am inquiring to you for recommended solutions. I use this gun for target shooting on my own range and will use it in Nebraska for long range at white tail and mule deer.

My options are as follows:

1. rechamber this barrel - same caliber $300.00

2. rechamber to another caliber - which one should I go to still using this action and magazing. Have to stay with 6mm. $300.00

3. new barrel with any cartrige that will fit the action. Are the wsm's worth looking into? $600.00

Depending on the repair I am purchasing this gun for $500.00 from my father inlaw the way it is. He paid $1200.00 and ran approx 2000 rounds through it. So I believe the bore to be in good condition yet.

[mbianchini]

I would re-barrel your action with a Lilja or a Krieger in 243 Ackley.

[Gary Rihn]

To rechamber a barrel that has 2000 rounds of 243 AI through it would be wasting money. Yeah, you'll set it back, and the throat will be cleaned up/moved forward, etc, but that's still a high round count to invest another $300 in that tube.

If he's got dies, etc for it, rebarrel in the same caliber, and you're a step ahead. If not, pick anything you like. I personally like the 6mm Remington...

[chris matthews]

A couple of thoughts- The galling problem needs taken care of. If it's not too bad lapping will probably get it out otherwise it's machine time.
HS barrels suck. If you want a good 6mm barrel, use a Schneider. I built my wife a 243 AI and it shoot sub 1/4 and I have built several others on Schneider tubes that all shot great. second choice would be a Rock barrel.
Setting the current barrel back is an option depending on throat erosion- if it's gone for more than .100" or so it would take two full turns off to recut it and depending on the barrel contour you might not have enough room.
What do you mean you have a medium length bolt? Remmy makes a short or long action. If it's a short stay with the 243 AI, if it's long go with something bigger.

[Darryl Cassel]

To the original poster.

You said;

My options are as follows:

1. rechamber this barrel - same caliber $300.00

"Rechamber cost should "NOT" be $300.00. It should be a bit less then a new chamber in a new barrel"

2. rechamber to another caliber - which one should I go to still using this action and magazing. Have to stay with 6mm. $300.00

Again---Rechamber to another caliber should NOT be $300.00.

3. new barrel with any cartrige that will fit the action. Are the wsm's worth looking into? $600.00

New Barrel 26" to 28" $250.00 to $300.00 Tops.
Chamber job $125.00 to $150.00 TOPS

Where do you get the $600.00 rebarrel fee? That is extremely high.

If your gunsmilth quoted those prices, find another gunsmith.

DC

PS---The 6mm or 243 are fine cartridges. The WSM takes a Magnum bolt face.

[chris matthews]

DC,
Your're right, and I didn't catch it earlier. Setting the barrel back should be a little cheaper than that.
However, we (GA Precision) charge $350 to blueprintand rebarrel the action. Good barrels run around $250ish. So $600 is about right for a new barrel.
Some guys will do it cheaper but you get what you pay for...

[BountyHunter]

BLD

1. $300 US for re chambering or chambering is like paying $1500 for a new Rem Sendaro. Nice gun and all, but not worth that much. Chamber job is normally $135-160 from most top LR/BR gunsmiths. Most will check front of rcvr and notify you if needs truing and that only runs $50 normally. Lugs another $25-30. Now if you are trying to milk that last .0001 out of it, maybe recut threads and sleeve bolt etc,

2. Barrels: All cost same so why buy something that is not the absolute best. Schneider might make a good barrel, but you never see it in the winners circle. For same money buy a Hart, Lilja, Spencer, Krieger, K & P.

3. While rebarreling, consider another caliber. Yea, I know some here love the 243 AI for LR deer but I think it is marginal unless perfect hit. I have shot deer with 243, but like a little more knockdown downrange than what it provides. I have also trailed too many deer hit less than perfect with 243, My brother in law thinks hitting a pie plate at 50 yds is an adequate zero. Just my 2 cents. 7wsm might make more sense and have more knockdown.

BH