One Gun Guy: Fix Up or Trade?

BGbasbhat · Apr 24, 2019

I like the idea of having an all-round rifle, which I understand will be a give and take. Considering I bow hunt, I'd like to always have a trusty all-purpose rifle if I have the opportunity to use it.

Not really looking for a caliber debate. Below is my current setup, which I know is overpowered, heavy, and burns a lot of powder. I have $1K from another gun sale to either fix up my current rifle, or join with the sale of it to buy something else.

Current Rifle: Rem 700 Stainless in .300 WinMag with a 3.5-10x50 Leupold.
Ammo: Can reload and Cabelas is close.
Weight: Loaded probably weighs ~10+lbs
Condition: Good condition, probably 750 round count. Shoots maybe MOA, on a good day.
Shooting Range: 500 yds at most (I'd like to keep at 1500ft/lbs at 500 for elk) but not into the super long-range thing.
Animals: Everything I can out west and AK at some point

What say you? Fix up with trigger, bed/blueprint, lighter/better barrel, etc.? Or sell it and buy a lighter weight/caliber with the ~$2K burning a hole in my pocket?

"...I'd rather be tried by twelve than carried by six..."

Cahunter805 · Apr 24, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Apr-24-19 AT 02:58PM (MST)[p]If weight is an issue I'd buy a tikka T3 /T3 lite in 7mm rem mag and put your Leupold on it and go hunt!
If not worried about the weight I'd say install a trigger tech trigger and bed the rifle and your rifle will most likely be sub MOA.
If your gonna sell the 300win send me a message.

BGbasbhat · Apr 25, 2019

Thanks Cahunter. I'm wondering if fixing up a rifle is like fixing up cars and houses. It's usually better to buy than to build/fix up? I already have enough money pits!

"...I'd rather be tried by twelve than carried by six..."

muliehntr1017 · Apr 25, 2019

Do you have a reputable gun smith near you to fix up your rifle if that's the route you choose? Do you know how much he charges? Because that will definitely impact how much you can spend to ?fix up? your current rifle.

BGbasbhat · Apr 25, 2019

Good question muliehntr1017. I live in Phoenix and haven't really had any gun work done here. I'd have to check around a bit and do some cost research on at least trigger and stock work I would think.

"...I'd rather be tried by twelve than carried by six..."

deadibob · Apr 25, 2019

Normally I would say just go with what you have. Since it's a Remington, get rid of it and start over. You can't do any worse ;-)

Lhedrick1 · Apr 25, 2019

I would send it to Hart or Krieger (or any of the well known barrel makers) and get a new barrel chambered to the caliber of your choice. The 700 action is a great starting point for a custom rifle. I would think for under $1000, you should be able to get a new barrel and a glass bed job. The only other upgrade I could see would be a nice synthetic stock.

My pick for a all around caliber would be something in the .270-.7mm variety. I like the .270 Weatherby.

BGbasbhat · Apr 26, 2019

lol, thanks deadibob. I do have a wobbly table in my backyard...maybe I can use it to prop it up. lol

"...I'd rather be tried by twelve than carried by six..."

BGbasbhat · Apr 26, 2019

Thanks Lhedrick1. I've thought the same. This may be a dumb question, but given it's a .300wm (long action), what if I rechambered to a short action caliber with the new barrel? I'm assuming, if this is possible, it'd be a colossal waste of money and counterproductive to the smaller/lighter short action, but just figuring things out a bit.

Thanks!

"...I'd rather be tried by twelve than carried by six..."

muliehntr1017 · Apr 26, 2019

The weight savings going from a Remington LA to a SA is about 3-4 oz. pretty minimal, I think. But if you decide to re-barrel, you could still run a SA cartridge on the LA you have now. Just choose one like a 7 SAUM or a 7WSM, that has the same bolt face as your current 300wm. In some ways it would be better to have that long action so you can run a specific bullet seated out longer and get more performance and downrange energy like your looking for.