Changing barrel on Rem 700

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Babalouie

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If I found a Remy 700 short action beater and wanted to rebarrel it in a different caliber (same parent case head ie. 308 to 260) could I do it myself or is there some kind of expensive gunsmith only tools you must have? I've built ARs and have had great fun doing it and am a tinkerer by nature so I'm not worried about figuring it all out...in fact I look forward to it.
 
Many expensive gunsmith tools required - a lathe being first and foremost. Add an action wrench and barrel vise, a chamber reamer and headspace gauges, and you've got the bare minimum tools required.

Now a Savage, on the other hand, is a DIY proposition, requiring only a barrel vise, barrel nut wrench (much less expensive than an action wrench), and a 'Go' headspace gauge. Assuming that you buy one of the many threaded, chambered barrels available for them. Even if you want to change from a 'standard ' (.473") case to a magnum case, all that's required is a new bolt head (assuming you've got the correct length action).
 
You could do it without most of that equipment, but without experience it wouldn't turn out to be nearly as good of a job. You can buy pre-threaded barrels that are already contoured and short chambered so that you can chamber/headspace them to that individual rifle. A rifle can be chambered by hand with a reamer that you could rent... but after all of the cost etc. like I said, you probably wont end up with as good of a finished product as you would have if you just paid a qualified gunsmith to do it.

So if you were going to do it by hand, the minimum you'd need would be -

Action wrench/vise that Nicholst mentioned
Reamer (available for rent)
Pre-threaded short chambered barrel
Headspace guages which should come with the rented reamer
 
What neither Nicholst or Strongbad mentioned as being required and is probably the most important is PATIENCE.

Don't get in a rush with the reamer or end up with excessive headspace and need the lathe to set the barrel back and probably cut new threads!
 
Naw, don't have the skill, the tools, or the patience to do a true build. I was hoping that, like an AR, you could take the barrel out and replace it with a drop in threaded new one.


Now a Savage, on the other hand, is a DIY proposition, requiring only a barrel vise, barrel nut wrench (much less expensive than an action wrench), and a 'Go' headspace gauge. Assuming that you buy one of the many threaded, chambered barrels available for them. Even if you want to change from a 'standard ' (.473") case to a magnum case, all that's required is a new bolt head (assuming you've got the correct length action).
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This is good news. I don't know much about Savage. I recently bought a Rem CDL after considering the Savage but the accutrigger was a little goofy and I just loved the look o the CDL. Regarding the Savage are there advantages to different years, some things to stay away from, which models would be top of the list? I want to build a Mountain style rifle in 260 Rem. but with a bit heavier barrel than a typical Mountain rifle.
 
I put about $3k into tools for gunsmithing projects, not including a lathe and mill.

It's far cheaper if you are only doing the occasional project to have a gunsmith do it.
 
I put about $3k into tools for gunsmithing projects, not including a lathe and mill.

It's far cheaper if you are only doing the occasional project to have a gunsmith do it.
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I hear you. For about $150 I'm all set up and can build and customize ARs...I was hoping for something similar for bolt guns. I'm a hobbiest and tinkerer...drilling, filing, stoning, polishing, fitting I can do...machining and milling I cannot.
 
mljdeckard
Senior Member
I would love to have the know-how and gear to do THAT job in particular, but I don't think that in my lifetime I'll need it done enough times to make it worth the gear and training. I have several friends who are great gunsmiths.
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My Dad always said that if you are going to spend the money to have something done why not, for about the same money, buy the tools you need to do the job, do it yourself, and the next time you do the job it paid for itself? A rule I've lived by most of my life. However, somethings requires skill and craftsmenship so the rule changes. Skills, ability and patience I have but giftedness and talent are another thing altogether. Can anyone tell me if this is something I can do? I handled the AR rebuilds: furniture, new barrel, trigger installation with ease. Or is it better to let the professionals with the talent and gifts work on the bolt guns?
 
A lathe and expensive tools are NOT needed to change the barrel on your Rem 700. Brownells sells everything you need: pre-turned short chambered barrels by Shilen, action wrench, barrel vise, finish reamer and GO/NO GO chamber gages. With care, you'll end up with a rifle that shoots better than when it left the factory, but maybe not as well as a fully blueprinted rifle.
Brownells Rem 700 barrel
Action wrench
Barrel vise
Chamber reamer
GO/NO GO chamber gages
 
How do you guys that build your rifles know how much to torque on your barrels? Is there an optimum torque value for the Savage barrel nut?
 
How do you guys that build your rifles know how much to torque on your barrels? Is there an optimum torque value for the Savage barrel nut?
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I just snug the barrel nut up, and bump it with a hammer a couple of times. It doesn't need much. But I'm sure you can find an actual torque value on Savageshooters.com.
 
For the cost that is charged, I would send the action to the
barrel maker where the job can be completed into a trouble free
precise rifle that you will proud of. They are experienced and
do many!
 
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