I have a 7mm RM model seventy that needs some TLC, the barrel is about shot out and the action needs to be re-blued, how much should I pay to have a gunsmith do this work? I don't need a high dollar barrel, this is and will remain a meat getter, but I would like to give it to my brother, and it is a little rough to give away as a gift in it's present shape.

I'm a left handed shooter and this is a right handed action, so I'm looking to make room in the safe for a lefty Montana LA, flavor to be decided later.

I'm in the Northwest, so if anyone could recommend a Gunsmith I would like to hear what you have to say.

low_tech

If "cheap" is okay, send it to E.R. Shaw. E.R. Shaw

They can install a 'utility-grade' barrel for relatively little money.

George

E.R. Shaw will set you up for about $280, for a chrome-moly. They will rebarrel and reblue the barreled action, and probably polish up the bolt body and blue the bolt handle and shroud (if you mention it). Be warned, they are quite slow, so don't be in a hurry. I'd say 12-14 weeks pretty much for sure, although they did get a 358 Win to me in about half that time once. You'll hear people complain about them, but I have always been pleased with their work. Their barrels have shot well for me, and they don't foul much (if any) worse than most of the more expensive barrels I have.

If you're willing to fork over $400, Gander Mountain will do a barrel job for $400 if you want a chrome-moly Douglas barrel. I've only had these guys do one barrel job for me, but they did a good job, and the rifle is very accurate. However, they were VERY slow, seems to me it took almost 6 months to get the barreled action back!

Have you contacted Winchester directly to have them install a new barrel and reblue?

New barrel prices seem to run about $85, then of course the cost of installation. My cursory examination of their webpage did not find a rebluing cost.

Some folks, including me, have found fault with their off the shelf products but I've never had reason to fault the work done by their service department.

I know that an aftermarket barrel will most likely be more accurate, but as you said, for a meat getter, my factory Model 70's seem quite capable of 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" inch accuracy and usually much better with handloads, so I thought I'd mention this as a possibility.

You can contact Winchester here:
http://www.winchester-guns.com/services/phone_service.htm

thanks everyone for your responses, exactly what I was looking for...

Have a great Christmas,

low_tech

Call Dave at IT&D Custom Gun, he does great work and uses Douglas barrels, which are as good as you'll ever need for hunting. Last price list I have shows $118 for the barrel, $65 to chamber & install, $70 for beadblast blue. That's a couple years old but I doubt it's changed much.

I.T. & D. Custom Gun
2229 Leisure Road, N.W.
Minerva, OH 44657
330-868-6867

I have a couple of Post 70 7mm Remington barrels. If you're interested let me know.

hacksawtom

pm sent

Low Tech

This is "meat and potatoes" work for any gunsmith. I would first check locally. If you can't find someone to trust in eastern Washington, Idaho and Western Montana are loaded with very good people. You save the risk of damage in transit, and help keep the local guy's door open so he will be there when you need urgent work.

If you find a true riflesmith, he may be able to recondition your "shot out" barrel to hunting accuracy. Cleaning and recrowning often do wonders.

Roger