New barrel/chambering for Ruger no1

[C-grunt]

I have a Ruger no1 in 7mm Mag and was thinking about getting it rebarreled into something cheaper to shoot like a 308 or 30-06. I don't need the power and range of the 7 Mag and after blowing up a deer on Oklahoma this week I'm thinking its a bit overkill.

But my question is can it be done? There really is t a bolt head that can be swapped so what else would I need to change?

 

[BruceB]

It'll be far less expensive to sell the rifle as-is and buy another in a cheaper-to-shoot chambering.

A simple re-barrel job can easily cost upwards of $700, so the arithmetic should be obvious.

Why not keep the 7mm and buy ANOTHER #1???? They certainly are nice to have.

Besides, ANY factory ammunition is costly these days, and likewise, ANY chambering costs much the same as any other to hand-load.

Choices, choices...

 

[GooseGestapo]

Also, start reloading.
Widener's Shooter's Supply and www.gi-brass.com have surplus powders for sale that are excellent in the 7mmRemMag. These are typically from .50bmg salvaged ammo or over-run lot's of mil-spec powder. Currently, they have WC-872 that is applicable to full-power loads in the 7mag's.
Use bullets that won't "explode" the deer. Typically, the heavier bullets such as 160-175gr bullets have heavier construction than the 140gr and lighter, and won't expand as rapidly. However, even the .30/30 will tear up a dear rather badly if hit through the shoulders or shot lengthwise up the ham's ("Texas heart shot"). So, judicious shot placement is important with any decently powerful big game rifle.

You can down load the 7mag to equivalent to the 7x57mauser factory loads (about like "burrito gas") and get excellent/superior accuracy and much reduced recoil.

Also, MidwayUSA, Graf's, and MidsouthShootersSupply occasionally run "blem" bullets on sale for 40-60% off usual prices... This and the "surplus" powders mean that you can reload the 7mag for less than you can the .30/30 with "conventional" components.