Question for my fellow "Barrel Burners"

[allard_msu76]

I have a Rem 700 LH 7Rum in need of its first new barrel. This will also be my first trip down the road to a "Custom Rig" . My goal for this build is a hunting rifle that looks and performs like a Bada$$ out past 1k yards. I've been shooting the 160 accubonds but will probably move to the 180 Berger's with this new barrel. I talked with my smith and decided on a Lilja, probably 28" + brake. I have no idea on contour but I know I want it fluted. Should I go with the Wyatt's ext. box or is it possible to have my smith chamber it so the Berger's will fit in the mag and still get me close enough to the lands for the VLD's? So... what do my fellow 7 rum brothers think? Any comments from those of you who have been down this road would be greatly appreciated. Like I said, this is my virgin run but I don't want any regrets when I'm done. Thanks in Advance gun)(p.s. I know, I know the bolt is on the wrong side...)

 

[MudRunner2005]

I have a Rem 700 LH 7Rum in need of its first new barrel. This will also be my first trip down the road to a "Custom Rig" . My goal for this build is a hunting rifle that looks and performs like a Bada$$ out past 1k yards. I've been shooting the 160 accubonds but will probably move to the 180 Berger's with this new barrel. I talked with my smith and decided on a Lilja, probably 28" + brake. I have no idea on contour but I know I want it fluted. Should I go with the Wyatt's ext. box or is it possible to have my smith chamber it so the Berger's will fit in the mag and still get me close enough to the lands for the VLD's? So... what do my fellow 7 rum brothers think? Any comments from those of you who have been down this road would be greatly appreciated. Like I said, this is my virgin run but I don't want any regrets when I'm done. Thanks in Advance gun)(p.s. I know, I know the bolt is on the wrong side...)

I'm not a 7RUM runner, but I have been burning powder in my 7 STW (close to 7RUM) for the last 11 years. Lilja 28"+ brake stainless fluted Sendero contour sounds about right to me. If the 168-180 is what you plan to shoot, a 1:9 twist would be best. If you ever plan on shooting the 195's when they become available (if ever?) a 1:8.75 twist will be better. The 180's are big enough for my 7mm rifles so I go 1:9, it's more common to find blanks in that twist rate. If I need a bigger heavier bullet, I'm fixing to be buying a 5R MilSpec .300 WM take-off barrel in the next month or so, I will be putting on my other 700, that has a junked .338 WM barrel on it right now. I think you'll enjoy that setup. I see you already have a great scope for that rifle (Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50). I have one of them as well, and will have another one soon that will be goin on my .280 AI / .25-06 AI switch-barrel 700.

Just make sure your smith thoroughly trues the action, barrel threads & face, and headspacing and make sure he gets it all torqued properly. Make sure to get him to bed the action & recoil lug while he's at it, and cover all the bases.

 

[Edd]

If you and your Smith are interested in a Krieger instead of a Lilja, send me a PM.

I think chambering a 7mm RUM so a 180 gr bullet will contact the rifling will cause a problem.

 

[65WSM]

I tend to use the 6.5 VLD bullets instead of the 7mm bullets but I too am intrigued by the Berger 180 VLD in 7mm. I have burned through plenty of Retumbo, Ramshot Magnum, H-1000, etc to feel your pain. I too am a barrel burner.

I do not own a Lilja barrel but own Krieger, McGowen, Rock Creek, Bartlein, Hart and Shilen custom barrels.

What I can say is that by all means have your barrel "nitrocarburized". It will double the life (at least) and will perform better throughout its life. It makes them slick inside as well as hard.

Use HBN coating. It will all but eliminate copper fouling and reduce barrel friction. You will have to add powder to get similar velocities but you could actually gain velocity with even more powder. Zoom.

 

[Fiftydriver]

If you came to me with this project, this is what I would recommend:

-Fully accurize bolt and receiver
-fit an aftermarket recoil lug, I recommend Holland Comp recoil lug
-Lilja barrel contour for a rifle intended for +1000 yard use, AT LEAST a #7 contour with a #8 being even better.
-With the Berger 180s, go with the Lilja 1-9 twist 4 groove rifling.
-Go at least 28" barrel but no more then 30"
-Freefloat barrel obviously
-Install at least a Wyatts 3.820" extended internal magazine box of if you want to seat the 180 gr to the base of the neck, you may want to go with a Seekins 3.900" DM system or a 3.990" center feed Wyatts internal mag box.
-make sure stock is up to the challenge.
-Use a quality muzzle brake, you will be happy with a good brake, no recoil at all from the 7mm RUM, the big 7mm really makes a good brake work very well.

 

[allard_msu76]

Ok, thanks for the input... I met with my smith today and I gave him a list with the following parts; Per Kirby's advice I ordered a 28" Fluted Lilja 1:9 4 groove barrel that will be finished with one of Kirby's Painkiller brakes (small 3 port or the med 3 port, haven't decided on that one) and a Holland recoil lug. I am also ordering a spiral fluted bolt body with a tactical knob and Sako extractor from Twisted Barrels. Unfortunately my smith informed me that it will be about five months until I get to pull the trigger... I already cant sit still due to the anticipation. Thanks a lot for the input and I will post pics of my first trip to the range with my new baby!!!