700 caliber modification

[toddfuqua59]

I recently purchased a 1970’s model 700 in 30-06 and want to convert it to a long range rifle. Any caliber suggestions or tricks? Thanks in advance.

[Freefloat]

30-06 can shoot a long ways. How far you want to shoot?

[rkittine]

Welcome to the forum, Where are you located?

Do you want to use the existing barrel or are you going to rebarrel it? If you are going to keep and use the existing barrel than you are stuck with .308 caliber. Next what is the end use going to be, long range target shooting or long range hunting and what yardage do you consider as Long Range.

For accuracy purposes short cases tend to provide more consistent pressure and ignition and are usually more accurate then similar longer cases. You typically can get more accuracy out of a .308 then you can out of a .30-06. So if you remove the barrel and have it set back and re-reamed, you could go .308, .30 Winchest Short Magnum or some Ackley improved variant. You have a long action, so you also have to decide about whether you want to use it as a single shot or modify the feeding system.

If you are going to rebarrel, then you have a lot of options without changing the bold face for .4703 rounds. 6mmBR Norma, 260 Rem, 6.5x47 Lapua, 6.5x.284, and the list goes on, again more dependent on what yardage and type of long range shooting you want to do.

Bob

[mayor]

Bob,

Subject "6mmBR Norma, 260 Rem, 6.5x47 Lapua, 6.5x.284"

"Is it safe to say" you're fond of barrel burner calibers ? You must re-barrel your own actions? I have not had any rifle work done in years, my old gunsmith no longer with us. What's the going rate these days to re-barrel a 700 and head space providing the barrel?

[rkittine]

Of that group, I would only put the 6.5x284 as a true Barrel Burner - Maybe 900 rounds for 1,000 yard accuracy. The .260 Rem and 6.5x47 Lapua would be better and I have gotten 4" or better groups out of one of my 6.5x47 Lapua's at 1,000 yards after 3,000 rounds down the bore. The 6mmBR Norma, will go beyond that, but I do not shoot that caliber past 600 yards.

The guys I use charge $250 to cut, crown, Chamber and install a new barrel. All of my center fire barrels are Krieger and all my Rim Fire Barrels are Bartlein. New Barrel typically runs me $280 - $320 delivered.

Bob