gents:

how do you know if you should put a new barrel on a rifle? specifically, if you haven't had the rifle too long how do you know? the rifles in question here are a pair of M70 classics in 30 06. i'm sure the rifles shoot better than we can but still wondering.

thanks

Maybe the easiest is to have it borescoped by a gunsmith. Otherwise, what's the round count and when was it last cleaned? Few people shoot out a .30-06, but most have no idea how to really clean a rifle. Try stripping every last little bit of gunk out and shoot it then.

LWD

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Few people shoot out a .30-06, but most have no idea how to really clean a rifle.

Good post.....

It's quite unlikely your .30-06 is shot out!!!

Go to your local gun shop and ask for copper remover.

Unless you have fired way over 3,000 rounds the barrel is likely just fine.

You may want to check the crown. I see alot of used rifles that were hauled in trucks with the muzzle down in the floor board and have gotten dust and dirt in them then fired and the muzzle just worn out in the last 1/4" or so. Then again most new tubes will beat any factory tube in accuracy anyway. Louis

Thanks. I'm not sure if the post was clear then; I'm definitely not worried about the barrel being shot out but rather how to know whether a rifle should be re-barrelled with something other than the factory barrel.

Thanks in advance.

Well, I guess that the trick in your statement is knowing WHEN. That is probably pretty subjective, but most of us would think that meant when would it be needed, presumably from excess wear. Other than that determinate, if you have done enough load development to know that your barrel won't shoot up to your accuracy standards, than have a good gunsmith put a nice custom on there, and you most likely will be on your way to better accuracy!

I had a rig that wouldn't shoot to my standards, firelapped the barrel, and shazam, new life! That thing shoots awesome now!
On the other hand, I had a 22-250 that wouldn't shoot worth a flip, I went through all the loading and tweaking I could stand, pulled the factory tube, put a new Krieger on there, and boom--1/4 minute rig!

Good luck to you!

essentially, the question is whether one is normally advised to put an after market barrel on a rifle if having the rifle overhauled or whether a factory barrel is ok. I am quite sure whether factory or after market, the rifle will shoot better than I ever will.

so, if having the action gone over thoroughly and anticipating having iron sights put on a barrel, is it merely a matter of preference to re barrel or what? Finally, is it acceptable to have someone like Lothar Walther or another install it or have the gunsmith who will work on the action install it?

Thanks!

I think it is just that, a matter of personal preference.
If you feel good about the accuracy potential, then I would just go ahead and stay with the factory tube unless your smith indicates something is incuarably wrong with it, and use the money saved from not buying a new tube for more reloading components, build some more ammo, and shoot it!

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Originally posted by jsl3170:
I'm not sure if the post was clear then; I'm definitely not worried about the barrel being shot out but rather how to know whether a rifle should be re-barrelled with something other than the factory barrel.

Oh, well, that's EASY. If they have factory barrels, they need new custom handlapped ones.

I've got a PacNor fluted stainless on my .06 and love it.

I misunderstood your question in my first post. To answer your question, I'd say only a few reasons warrant a rebarrel. Obviously, if it's shot out and won't group well now, but there's lots of stuff to check first before doing that. If you want a new caliber. .30-06 too bland and you want hip and trendy? Screw on a 280AI. If you want a longer barrel or heavier profile. Though I've never seen someone rebarrel solely for those reasons.

Otherwise, there's not a lot of reasons to just rebarrel. Remember, a quality barrel installed by a good smith who trues your action in the process will cost you more than many new guns.

In short, if it's a hunting rifle that shoots MOA or better with your preferred load, be happy and go forth and kill stuff.

LWD

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Originally posted by Doc:
I've got a PacNor fluted stainless on my .06 and love it.

What contour do you have? What does it weigh? I am looking to build a LR hunter on a Stevens 200 action, and was looking at PacNor as a possible option. What kind of groups are you getting?

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Originally posted by bernieb90:

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:
I've got a PacNor fluted stainless on my .06 and love it.

What contour do you have? What does it weigh? I am looking to build a LR hunter on a Stevens 200 action, and was looking at PacNor as a possible option. What kind of groups are you getting?

#3 sporter magnum. 22" stainless. fluted. I think it is about .625 at the muzzle. Don't know wt but just about anyone could carry this rifle all day long. I'll post a pic of me with it from my wolf hunt. Groups are excellent, I've got several that are all sub moa with many bullet makes. My experience with the PacNor is the easy cleaning. Best one I have at low fouling right up there with my Broughton-Richards.

does anyone have experience with IT&D Custom Gun in OH? Seems like a pretty good outfit after talking with Dave, the owner.

quote:

Originally posted by jsl3170:
does anyone have experience with IT&D Custom Gun in OH? Seems like a pretty good outfit after talking with Dave, the owner.

Never heard of him. Dave Bruno in Dayton, PA has been doing a lot of work for me lately. He's top notch, has built several record holding bench guns, and his prices are excellent. He built the 270 that was used on this wolf:



This is an old Remington 78 I think. Components: 24" #3 Lilja 3 groove, H-S Precision stock, Jewel trigger at 2 pounds. We didn't have time to really work up a load, but Norm took this rifle to the range and shot 140 factory Hornady SSTs. First 3 shots into one hole, literally, a .000 group. I told him to save that box of ammo but he shot it up that day for practice.

Dave will have my 2nd 6-5x284 in about 3 weeks. I learned of him through Bartlien barrels and Accuflite rifles.

He will be building my next 7mag and next .277 something. Haven't decided on whether it will be a Win or WSM.

Dave Bruno's number: 814-257-8089, if you are interested.

I appreciate it! I am back to the old what to do with this rifle? game. It's definitely going out in a week or so. Leave as 30 06 or do something interesting like the 338-06.

Oh, choices, choices...

If you don't mind me asking what is the attraction to hunting wolf? I just never really thought of it.

Jeff

quote:

Originally posted by jsl3170:
I appreciate it! I am back to the old what to do with this rifle? game. It's definitely going out in a week or so. Leave as 30 06 or do something interesting like the 338-06.

Oh, choices, choices...

If you don't mind me asking what is the attraction to hunting wolf? I just never really thought of it.

Jeff

Check your PMs. Will send one when done posting here.

Well well well, if you are thinking of converting the rifle to something else, then I'd go to a 270 without a second thought. My favorite cal.

338-06 is an excellent choice, but I don't know what you plan on hunting so....

Wolf hunt. Well, I suppose to each his own will be a sound response here. I can't really explain it other than for many years I've had a list of game animals that I've wanted to hunt and there have been some carnivors on that list: cougar, wolf, black bear.

I must admit, until I actually did the hunt, I did keep running the thought that this was simply a big dog that would be like a wild husky or something. For whatever reason, I never once thought negatively about shooting a coyote, which, is kind of like a mini-wolf, and just another dog. Nonetheless, I'm glad I did it and would go back in a heartbeat. Too much fun. Norm and I agreed that it was the most exciting hunt we'd ever done.

quote:

Originally posted by jsl3170:
does anyone have experience with IT&D Custom Gun in OH? Seems like a pretty good outfit after talking with Dave, the owner.

I sent a pawn shop Rem 700 in 30-06 to IT&D and had it rebarreled to 25-06. I am pleased with the results. Turn around time was reasonable too.

I googled IT&D and found some posts on 24hourcampfire. Looks like they are reputable. Good feedback on them. For unknown reasons their website wouldn't pull up.

There are lots of good smiths out there. Right now, I'm sticking with Dave Bruno as I've got personal experience with his work. Turn around is very very good right now.

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Originally posted by jtinidaho:
I sent a pawn shop Rem 700 in 30-06 to IT&D and had it rebarreled to 25-06. I am pleased with the results. Turn around time was reasonable too.

What bbl did you use?

Air gauged Douglas SS. Factory contour.