Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters TO RE-BORE or NOT TO RE-BORE

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I've had two 700 short actions in 308win rebored to 358 Win. The rebore on one barrel revealed an area near the muzzle where the metal wouldn't rifle properly. It was cut back 1.5 in and recrowned. Both rifles were only average shooters and when barrels were hot might bounce bullets anywhere. One was rebarreled to 708 and one to 243 for my wife. The 708 has a 3 groove 1-11 barrel and drills tacks with 120 BTs. The 243 shoots everything well.

Number three was another 700 LA that went to 35 Whelan. The barrel wall, especially the last six inches were marginally thin. The barrel contour on this one tapered suddenly and ended up being really thin. Who wants a Whelan with 18 in barrel? I didn't even shoot, just had it rebarreled. It shot very well, but has since migrated to my sons gun safe.

Number four was a Rem varmint contour in 223 that went to 243 Win 1-10 5 groove. This was set back, rechambered and recontoured and cryoed. All that cost $480. This shot ok, but never could get better than 3/4" groups.
It is my opinion that the results of a rebore are unknown till your money is gone. I'd rather have a new barrel that been QCd befor I buy it.

Question? On the .30-30's to .375 on a Marlin, did they feed the .375's or was other work required? Magazine tubes?

TIA,
Mike

I haven't had JES do a rebore job for me, but I talked to Jesse about doing a 308 to 338 Fed on a Savage 99 and he discouraged me from having it done. Jesse told me that he'd done a couple of 338 Feds on a Savage 99 and the guys were seeing high pressure signs with factory ammo. I figure that any guy who turns away work that he isn't confident in can't be all bad.

I'd rebore it for sure.

Not good luck, for sure, Ed. Thanks for the reply.

I'd be happy with that 3/4" group, however. The 9,3X62 is a 250-300 yard round for big animals, and 3/4" is perfectly fine for that application.

Looks like Larry's back.

My 338-06 that Cliff rebored in 1995 shoots most stuff well but really likes the 225 gr AB. Effective load too.

Curious also about the 30-30 to 375. Have an octagon 94 that would benefit from a bigger hole in it...

W

Nice bears and good groups. My LaBounty 35 Whelen rebore shoots about the same.

IIRC, member "Weagle" had a Marlin 336 rebored from 30-30 to 375 by JES.

Was waiting on him to see it.

Mike

I would be happy with that, including the bruins.

Mike, I don't think any action work or modifications to the magazine, extractor or ejector were required. Mine feeds slick as butter. Jess didn't mention any modifications other than the barrel work.

My experience has been that the .375 puts the whack on deer much like the .35 rem does, but recoils considerably less.

If you don't want to pay the premium but want a Savage 99 in .358, or a Marlin in .356 or .375 I think a re-bore is the way to go.

I recently acquired a decent Model 64 Winchester for dirt cheap because the bore was badly rusted. Although I am very happy with my .375 marlin rebore, I'll probably go 38-55 in the Winchester. Same/Same really and it just seems right to do the Winchester in 38-55.

Thanks Weagle!

Mike

38-55 is the only re-bore for that Winchester. You think right.

I didn't realize that. Makes sense though.

I have a sav 99 308 that JES rebored to 358. I bought the rifle off him (his brother) on GB last year and have another on the way in from him ... a Vanguard 30-06 rebored to 35 Whelen. Well pleased.

Charlie

Can JES re-bore without messing up the finish, or do you have to re-coat the barrel?

Yes. He did my 375 Whelen. Not a mark on the barrel other than the new caliber stamping.