Cost to rebarrel a 700 to 6.5 Creedmore

[Peakbagger46]

I have a Remington 700 in .308 that loves my handloads with 168g SMK over Reloader 15. Bought the rifle used some time ago, it has a heavy 24” barrel with 5R rifling, HS precision stock, and has had gunsmith work done on the action and trigger.

What would it cost me to have a smith turn it into a 6.5 Creedmore? Would it require anything other than a new barrel?

I’m thinking at 600 yards I would see some improvement over the .308.

 

[Gtscotty]

You can go through Pac Nor's order forms to see what they would charge to make the barrel you want and mount it to your action. Most of the variants I've priced out with them run $600 - $700.

http://pac-nor.com/barrel_order/

Alternatively, if you're a bit handy and don't mind having a Savage style barrel nut on your Remington, you could order a remage such as these from Criterion.

http://northlandshooterssupply.com/match-grade-barrels/criterion-remington-remage/

You'd have to pick up a few tools like gauges and barrel/action wrenches, but without any extra options, the cost would be ~$328 for a SS barrel and nut.

Shooting in the wind, I can tell the difference between my 6.5 and .308 by 600 yds, especially shooting 168gr bullets in the .308.

 

[Hillbillyz]

Why not just get another rifle?

 

[Peakbagger46]

I guess I could, but I really like this rifle and don’t need two precision rifles.

I’m kind of attached to the Remington after taking a bunch of mule deer with it and lugging it all over the mountains. I finally did come to my senses and bought a lighter gun for hunting though.

 

[Peakbagger46]

I had no idea a Savage/Remington hybrid barrel existed! That seems like an excellent option.

 

[FL-NC]

For the cost involved in having it done right. you would be better off starting fresh- especially if your rifle in 308 shoots so good (mine does too). There is just so much available for the long range 308- especially if it is 700-based- for any long range shooter to not have at least one.

 

[Jim Watson]

Keep shooting it, it won't last forever and you can put on a 6.5 barrel when the .308's accuracy falls off. Incremental cost, just new dies.

 

[Nature Boy]

I'm also in favor of keeping the .308

1. Everyone should have a .308
2. More than one precision rifle is a good thing. Some people don't have any

 

[Sunray]

Doubt you'll see considerable "improvement" just by changing cartridges. 600 isn't that far.
Brownell's wants $459.99 for a threaded and chambered, Shilen, SS, Varmint contour, M700, barrel. Plus shipping and whatever your smithy wants for installation. $388.99 for a chrome-moly barrel. Both with 1 in 8 rifling. Bit less than directly from Shilen too.
"...when the .308's accuracy falls off..." Subjective thing that is. Accuracy to a deer hunter isn't the same as it is to a target shooter. snicker.

 

[Jim Watson]

I was going by "loves my reloads" and "600 yards."

It may have been Bart who said it is time to replace a target barrel when groups are 50% larger than new.
I once saw a guy try to push one until it fell off the target backer. "But it shot fine last weekend."

 

[FN in MT]

.308 versus the Creedmore for LR....NO contest at all...Do the Creedmore.
I'd go 1 in 8" so you can use the 130-142's.

I just bought a HART barrel and it was $400.My Smith charges $300 to cut the threads, change taper if reqd, install, chamber, crown, bed to stock, etc.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Thanks for all the input fellows! I’ve been looking over loads and such and think I may stick with the .308 for now and try loading up some of the 168g Hornady ELD-X bullets. That .523 BC would be a marked improvement over my 168g HPBT if I can get them to shoot.

Once it needs a new barrel, I will definitely be looking at those funky Savage style barrels in the Creedmore that I could install myself.

 

[MtnCreek]

... and has had gunsmith work done on the action ...

Is the barrel that's on it now the factory barrel / factory chambering? Depending on what the smith did to the action, you may not be able to buy a prefit barrel. If the tread have been worked on you'll likely need a smith installed barrel.

 

[GooseGestapo]

6.5 Creedmoor are common now.
Don't believe there is a 6.5 Creedmore...