Question for the best gunsmiths out there. I have a Rem 700 in 25.06, 24 inch barrel, sporter weight, Leopold III 4.5 X 14. I have in hand target from this weekend. Fired at 250 yards, four shot group less than 2 inches.
My Questions:
1. Can I change the barrel to a heavy barrel in this caliber and what brand and who can do it (estimated cost?).
2. If I spent the money to do it, would I see an improvement that would be worth the money.
I have been told that for a sporter weight barrel this rifle is a keeper. For the experts out there, is this as good as its going to get for real. I'v been firing Federal factory .85 grain Nosler tip rounds out of the box. I don't let the barrel get hot but will shoot 3 to 8 rounds before rest time. Trying to keep it simple what info can you ALL give this squirrl shooter. (I like the exposive action this round has on the little critters) Critterhorse

Honestly, the only reason I would have you change that barrel is to line my pockets!

In all honesty I think you have a winner in that gun, especially when shooting factory ammo.

To answer question #1, I would put on a Shilen CM barrel, chamber it for about $370 and add about $100 for stainless. Reblue the CM barrel for an additional $35 or so.

Only you know the truth. What does your other targets look like? You are only fooling yourself if the others aren't as good. You are the one that needs to be satisfied, not us.
Butch

From what you have posted it sounds like you want a hunting rifle instead of a target rifle. Not telling you what to do, but you should try carrying around a heavy barrel gun for a couple hours and then try to shoot it. Maybe I'm getting old, but I see no need for a heavy barrel for anything that does not get fired off a bench anymore.

I agree 100% with Mark.
Butch

Have you tried to improve what you already have? You can do that with hand loads or trying other factory loads. What is the pound pull of your trigger? If it is over three pounds, you could lessen it and probably tighten up your groups. I don't think any gunsmith will guarantee you much better than 1 moa (which you already have). Even though you would most likely get better than that with a cm barrel.

My best suggestion is to keep this rifle "as is" and buy yourself a varmint rifle. I'm a quarter-bore fan and my favorite is the 25/06.
Please don't mess with a good thing.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!