Which barrel should I put on my model 700 SPS

[sodakhunter]

Which barrel would best serve my needs????

Right now I have a Remington model 700 SPS Stainless in .257 Weatherby. This rifle is pure stock right now, and I love it, but i'm doing some work on it this summer. I'm purchasing a HS Precision Stock, but i'm lost as to the barrel to use.

I shoot often with this rifle, i'm very confident in this rifle, and have taken 3 whitetails, and 1 antelope this year, all betwee 480 yds. and 560 yds.(stating this only for sake of the conversation). This gun is very accurate, sub-moa, but I feel that customizing this rifle over the summer, will make it even better. Hoping to gain the extra confidence to step up the next level (out to 800 yds) of long range hunting. Will a new barrel subsatantially increase the accuracy of my rifle? If so which barrel(fluted)/contour would be best for my needs? Not to mention, i'm adding the new stock for sure. I love long range shooting and hunting, but i'm not a junky per se, so I could use some help.

I know Krieger has long lead times, but have heard they are "not" for hunting.

Thanks Guys

 

[trebark]

If you're getting .5moa accuracy at 560 yards from your current rifle now and you like the cartridge for which it is chambered (257wby), why rebarrel?

If you're not a "junkie" per se, how about 'accurizing' your rifle. Which is to say, do a few things to maximize the rifle as is. This would include...

1. New stock (HS precision is a good choice)
2. Have your action bedded in the new stock
3. tune your factory trigger to 2.5lbs or lighter. Better yet, replace the factory trigger with a Timney or Jewel trigger.
5. Lap your bolt's locking lugs. This will ensure complete contact/lock up.
6. Recrown your barrel. Often the crown on factory barrels is not completely perpendicular to the bore of the rifle. Recrowning will correct this.

As an example, here's my nephew's rifle that has had this work done....

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/nephews-transformed-rifle-53634/

With the exception of recrowning the barrel, all of the steps above, will 'stay' with the rifle even if you rebarrel. Accurizing can be done for ~$225

If you're set on rebarreling, there are many good barrel manufacturers...krieger (fine for hunting), brux, shilen, hart just to name a few.

As to cartridge chambering, length and contour, that would depend on your intended use. If the rifle will be a 'prone' gun where you will take it to a firing point, then shoot, you can go with a heavier contour (generally more accurate) because you will not be carrying the rifle much.

if your intended use is for it to be more of an 'all around' then you might look at a more 'standard' contour (similar to your current contour or even a bit lighter).

In terms of getting a barrel quickly, check out www.bugholes.com They are an LRH sponsor and have many barrels on-hand and ready to ship.

 

[sodakhunter]

Thanks for the input trebark. I'm surely adding the HS stock, and will have the action bedded. I don't mind the factory trigger, but I also own a Tikka, and in my opinion, the two triggers don't compare. That being said, adding a jewell trigger to the mix would probably be a good start for my offseason gun work. I was concerned about the barrel because of the long lead times, and I surely couldn't go a hunting season w/o my .257WM. I still might add a new barrel, but i'll start with your suggestions. Thanks again.

 

[trebark]

Most gunsmiths take four to six months to rebarrel a rifle. This is a combination of waiting for the barrel, then getting the work done. If you want to rebarrel your rifle and have it ready in time for hunting season this coming fall, you pretty much would need to have your gun to the gunsmith by January. As I mentioned earlier, the way to cut down the time it takes for the job would be to find someone like bugholes.com with the barrel you want in stock. that way you walk into the gunsmith with rifle and barrel in hand. Then all you have to wait on is getting the work done. Depending on how busy your 'smith is, might be able to get the job done in a couple weeks.

 

[AZShooter]

I can understand getting a better stock. You might not have to bed the rifle in the HS stock. It has an aluminum bedding block system. Proper inch/lb torque of the action screws might be all it needs. Afterall it is shooting fine from an unaltered SPS stock.

An improved trigger is also a good idea.

I don't understand why you want to change the barrel when it is shooting so well. Is is showing signs of loosing its accuracy? Have the velocities dropped off? Is it difficult to clean? Those are signs that it might need changing. A bore scope can also help answer the barrel's condition. How many rounds through this barrel? I wouldn't mess with a good thing at this point.


You mentioned going for longer distances like 800 yds. Quite frankly unless you are shooting small bodied deer or antelope the 257 is going to run out of the kind of energy and could have too much wind drift to make a clean kill. In my opinion a larger caliber/higher BC/ heavier bullet would be a better choice for those longer shots.

 

[roninflag]

i am not a junkie either. i have 6 krieger barrels and one hart. triggers- i have 4 shilen one jewell. the barrels are worth the wait.

 

[Derek M.]

I know Krieger has long lead times, but have heard they are "not" for hunting.

Thanks Guys

WHAT???? Where did you hear this? Wherever you heard this "not" for hunting information, that individual is mistaken.

BTW, you can check Krieger's inventory too. I lucked out about 2 years ago and they had 4 barrels I wanted IN STOCK, though, I did have them turn down 2 of them to smaller contours.

I have Kriegers, Hart, Bartlien, Obermeyer, Broughton-Richards, Shilen, Lilja, and LW.

 

[sodakhunter]

Looking at Krieger's web site, I feel like I don't dare ask any questions. I better know exactly what I want, tell them, and don't plan on talking to them until you get your barrel. I'm a little concerned about this. I have questions, and if I'm spending $1000 dollars with them, I would hope answers come with this. Are they as difficult to deal with as there website makes it sound, or am I reading into this too much?

 

[trebark]

Looking at Krieger's web site, I feel like I don't dare ask any questions. I better know exactly what I want, tell them, and don't plan on talking to them until you get your barrel. I'm a little concerned about this. I have questions, and if I'm spending $1000 dollars with them, I would hope answers come with this. Are they as difficult to deal with as there website makes it sound, or am I reading into this too much?

If they won't answer your questions, don't deal with them. Remember, you're the customer. If they want your money, they will work with you. If not, take your money some place else. There are plenty of barrel makers.

Alternatively, you can work with your gunsmith and have him order the barrel for you.

 

[sodakhunter]

I don't understand why you want to change the barrel when it is shooting so well. Is is showing signs of loosing its accuracy? Have the velocities dropped off? Is it difficult to clean? Those are signs that it might need changing. A bore scope can also help answer the barrel's condition. How many rounds through this barrel? I wouldn't mess with a good thing at this point.

I'm not sure I really need a barrel. I've only got 320 rounds through it right now. That's why i'm here. I have never owned a gun with add on parts. I have never paid more than $600.00 for a rifle. I have always shot what I had, and been happy with it. Hunting is my greatest passion, and now being a father of two, my time is limited. So with limited time, I feel the need to expand my abilities. I can't afford to pass on a buck of a lifetime at 700 yards, because it's too far, I don't have tomorrow, I have right now. I punch plenty of paper to 800 yds., but we all know a trophy at 800yds. is much different than a paper plate with a 3" circle painted on it. My thoughts were that a new barrel might tighten my groups at 800. Maybe not. Thanks for the input guys.