Re-Barrel Ruger .243

[Pierce]

I have an older Ruger flat bolt .243 I need to re-barrel. Ive talked to Ruger and they will do it but with the warning label barrel on it and Im afraid they will mess with the trigger as Ive heard. No good.

I'd like to replace the barrel with the same profile and is there such a thing as just relining the current so I can end up with the original with new rifling? Could the current barrel be cut to a new caliper and re-chambered? Id really like to keep my barrel. What are the options you might suggest and a source to do the work.
Thanks
Pierce

 

[rcmodel]

Not safe to reline a high-pressure centerfire caliber like a .243.
Hardly nobody that could, would.

Any of the barrel makers can install a new barrel blank turned to the old barrel profile.

Re-chambering would constitute setting the barrel back in the receiver a thread or two, then re-chambering to a 6mm caliber that would allow re-cutting the .243 chamber enough to get rid of all traces of the old .243 chamber.

But if you need a new barrel now?
That means advanced throat erosion has you by the short hairs already.

And going to the expense of doing all that setting back and re-chambering is only going to postpone the inevitable until the whole barrel has to be replaced anyway before long.

Might as well do it now and get it over with, until the next time 4,000 rounds or so from now!

If you want a new barrel with old Ruger Factory markings?
Afraid you are SOL unless you can find one on eBay or something!

rc

 

[Pierce]

I'l look at the throat and see what kind of shape its in. I guess then it would a matter of choosing a caliper to open it up to. Thanks for the suggestions and pointing out some options.

I'd be open to some ideas about a new caliper.

 

[rcmodel]

Ah?
If the throat isn't already toast and you know it, why do you need a new barrel??

rc

 

[natman]

Assuming your barrel is indeed shot out (I'd try a really good cleaning first), you could have it rebored to 260, 7mm-08, 308, 338 Fed or 358.

Here's one place to get you started, there are others:

http://www.redmansrifling.com/

 

[Pierce]

Ive soaked and scrubbed this thing out over and over in hopes of discovering some rifling, its nearly non- existent (signs of some rifling near the muzzle). It actually holds some tight groups at 100, at 200 its gone.

I dont have a bore scope.

Thanks for the leads and suggestions. I'll see what I can come up with.

 

[Zeke/PA]

Check out the prices on new rifles as they are definitaly cheaper than the rebarreling/relining/re-stocking routine.
Try Savage and/or Mossberg, Good rifles, good accuracy AND reasonably priced.
My Grandson dosen't know it yet BUT his .30-'06 this year is a Savage Edge, leaving the Pre-War 70's in my safe.
The Savage Edge in question shoots well with reloads, mainly 180 Gr, Remington Core/Lokts, a proven bullet over the years on the PA/MD whitetails.

 

[Pierce]

Thanks Zeke,
Re-boring seems to run in the $325/$425 range including re-chambering and setback with the opportunity to try a new caliber as much as I love the old flatbolt Im really leaning toward keeping it as my go to whitetailer. The Savages and Mossburgs do have some good deals no arguing that!