Gentlemen; after review of my gun safe, I've decided that I have too many rifles in the .270 - .308 cal class; my .270 Wby, M77 '06 and .300 Wby are off limits, which leaves my Mdl 700 AWR 7 RUM and .280 Ruger MKII stainless as candidates to either get rid of (not likely) or get re-chambered/barreled. I'm thinking of something in the 338-358 class for 1 rifle, probably the .280, and maybe something lighter for the 7 RUM. Any suggestions??
I also realize that the purchase of the 700 AWR was too much $$ for what you get, but I'm past that now so please refrain from reminding me how stupid it was of me to purchase that particular rifle in the first place!!

Thank you in advance for any suggestions,

Craig Nolan

there are no limits.....dump all but the AWR 7 RUM and get a dream rifle in a caliber that fills the bill.

If you have to ruin a perfectly good .280, rebarrel it to .338-06 or .35 Whelen (ouch, can't believe I said that). I like the .338-06 for a good allround NA rig in a 7.5-8# package.

As far as the 280 is concerned, I would rebarrel to something in the neighborhood of a 257 Bob. As for the AWR, sell it for as much as you can and get started on a custom project. Just taking a guess, but judging from the rifles you already own, I am assuming you don't have very many if any custom or semi-custom guns. Personally, I would sell the AWR and built a really neat Ruger #1 in a caliber that suits your fancy. With that gun, your possibilities are all but endless. FWIW, Wyo

Fredj338 and Wyocowboyshooter, thank you both for the advice; I should also say that I have a M77 in .243, M70 Fwt in 257 Bob and a Model 700 in .35 Whelen, none of which I want to gid rid of for various reasons. Wyo, you are correct in your assumption about the # of custom rifles that I own, which is zero. How easy would it be to turn the AWR into a .257 Wby or the like? I would sell the AWR, but the market doesn't seem too warm for that rifle (not enough bonehead impulse-buyers like myself out there )I will at some point go moose/bear hunting again in AK, maybe a .338 or a .358 Norma would be do-able??

Thanks again for your help,

Craig

Unless a rifle is defective your better off money wise selling it as is and buying one all made up the way you want it. It's fun to get a new rifle also and to see what happens.

I enjoy tuning them. If it does not work out then send them on their way. Rifles like 700's are just a dime a dozen.

Craig, regarding your question about switching the AWR to a .257 Weatherby: The head diameter of Roy's 1/4 bore is smaller than that of the & RUM by .003". I think you are at a disadvantage having a bolt made to fit .404 Jeffery sized case heads. That said, if you wanted to build it up to something bigger and badder for AK, I would consider the .338 RUM or .375 RUM, with much of my support favoring the latter. Or, simply make a .404 Jeff out of it! Hope this helps you with your pondering! Kinda fun huh??!! Regards, Wyo

Craig leave my .280 alone that gun shoots great. if you like next time Bimart has them on sell I will buy you one to replace that one they don't stock the 280.

Hey Larry, how are you? I figured you'd see this topic and figure out this was your old .280; I need to do some consolidating, as I have 5 rifles between the .270 Wby and the .300 Wby. I'm sure the .280 does indeed shoot well, so please don't take offense that I may not keep it!
Do you have any ideas??

Hope all is well,
Craig

[ 12-06-2003, 05:02: Message edited by: Craig Nolan ]

Well Craig if you must I would go for a .338-06AI.