Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Rebarrel an inherited rifle?

Would you rebarrel an inherited rifle to a faster twist barrel?
It’s not a collectors item. It’s just a Model 700 SA made in the 70s.
It’s not a matter of the cartridge it’s in but a question of would you rebarrel an inherited rifle? That’s the only question.
It’s a Model 700 243 made in the 70s in good condition.
Does a 700 ADL even have enough magazine length for 103’s -108’s?

Your post is overflowing with details...it's so hard to take it all in at once.

I wouldn't do that to any rifle...

You wouldn’t rebarrel any rifle?

Caliber and current barrel condition ?

kwg

Seriously, what's the chamber now & what are you considering changing to?

I wouldn't do that with any rifle either!

Not any rifle or not an inherited rifle?

Fast twist is one of the most over rated concepts to happen, next to the 6.5 Creedmoor...

The rifle being inherited wouldn't likely play much into my decision process - given the rifle you've mentioned. An old Sav 99 or something, yeah but a M700? That's hardly "special" outside if the inheritance.

If - all things considered - I needed/wanted the rifle to have more RPMs - yeah.

I mean - you've not mentioned how important the person was who gave you the rifle and all. I assume it's not a President or someone famous but family. How important to you were they and what part did the rifle play into your relationship?

I can't answer that for you. Just know for me - even inherited, it would have to be awful special in some way to keep me from doing the work. It was given to you to use and enjoy - I assume without condition. Do so as best you see fit. Life's too short.

That said - if I was looking for a fast twist 6mm - I'd just go buy a new 6Creedmoor and be done. Save the heartburn on the old rifle.

What bullet are you wanting to shoot and what purpose is the rifle used for?

100 gr bullets (or less) are sufficient for hunting purposes.

Mike

I've done it with several hand-me-down bolt actions already. In both cases, the barrels were getting tired. I use the rifles now more than I would have if I'd left them alone, but they are still that heirloom rifle at heart. If you wanted to, you could always go for a new faster-twist SS sporter 6mm tube and then coat all metal black. It'd still look fairly similar, much like an older factory 700, but it'd now be updated with regards to twist and weatherproofing.

fast twist isn't the answer for almost any hunting rifle.

It would depend on who handed the rifle down to me and it would also depend on how much it was cherished by the original owner.
If I were to re-barrel a M700 short action, it would probably be chambered in 6mm Creedmoor which is owning the segment now.

If it wasn't shooting good enough, yes, I would rebarrel

That someone would ask such a question to a wide audience is quite a tribute to the person who left the rifle. But only one person can answer the question.

I would hope that my heirs don't feel compelled to maintain a defacto museum or shrine containing unaltered artifacts of mine that bring them no enjoyment. Guns included.

For several years when it was the only centerfire rifle I owned you could fill up a Semi-Truck with the deer it’s killed with 95 grain purple meanies. The last time I took it hunting I killed a deer with an 80 grain purple meanie.
I’ve just wanted to try some heavy bullets in 243, 103’s and up.
Reality is when I take it hunting I probably won’t shoot at anything past 300 yards with it anyway. Although a 95 BT zeroed at 200 yards has more wind drift in a 10mph crosswind than drop at 300 yards.

I don’t have the notes what we use to use behind the 95BT’s. It think it was the same load my dad used in his which back then was usually RL22 I think. It would touch bullet holes. Then a couple years ago I used 80 grain BT’s loaded with H100V and it touched bullet holes with that also.
Would like to use 90 grains and up and go with temp stable powder these days. I have a post in the reloading section for that.

The rifle in question belonged to my grandpa. WWII vet and would have been 12-14 at the start of the depression. I’m sure he would just tell me to use the heck out of it and do whatever I want with it.
I don’t know why but I use to think you shouldn’t make changes to an inherited rifle etc. I don’t know why as that doesn’t make sense. They are made to use not look at.

Do with it what you want. I agree with the fast twist opinions, but I know the rest of the world thinks you must shoot the heaviest bullet out there and in some cases, there isn’t a bullet heavy enough yet. I’m on the other side unless we’re talking about a target rifle. Rifles are to be used and enjoyed and not as static items that were once great but past it’s prime. If the idea of replacing the barrel bugs you and takes away from the original, then keep the old barrel after replacement and that way you still have it. Maybe it will trick your mind into believing its still a part of the idea of originality.

Nothing wrong with looking at them, but a true travesty if you don't use them. Just sayin..