Barnesboy Report post Posted September 14, 2015 HI everyone, I have a few questions for guys who have had rifles rebarreled before. 1st: I have a Ruger m77 Mark II that is 30-06. My question is what caliber's are offered for rebarreling this rifle? 2nd: About how much would it cost to rebarrel? 3rd: Am looking to build a decent long range gun without having to break the bank. I would like to hear what caliber you guys think would make a good long range rifle for elk/deer that my rifle could be rebarreled to? 4th: I would like to hear your guys thoughts about this? and if it would be worth rebarreling or just buying a new rifle and starting from there? 5th: Finally what gunsmiths do you guys recommend and think do good work for something like this? Thank you and looking forward to what you guys have to say. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
STOMP442 Report post Posted September 14, 2015 Well first off, caliber choices are pretty wide open as anything with the same rim diameter of the .30-06 is a viable option. .25-06 - 35 Whelen or .338-06 can be easily done. I for one would seriously look into the 6.5-06 Ackley Improved or the .280 Ackley Improved for serious long range shooting and hunting performance. Heck, what's wrong with the barrel you have? The .30-06, is a very capable cartridge for what you are wanting to do. Ruger's take a little work but thay can be made to shoot pretty darn well. As far as cost, goes that all depends on the smith. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
duckhunter175 Report post Posted September 14, 2015 Barnes-- I've been working on a couple project rifles lately and hopefully can share some thoughts and ideas. Great questions btw. 1. The 30/06 shares a bolt face diameter with a bunch of cartridges from that family and the long action gives you lots of flexibility. Will you be handloading for your rifle or shooting factory loads? ---- Here is an excellent resource: http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f37/bolt-face-diameters-36661/ If you want deer AND elk but will better range/ballistics than your current 30/06 you might look at a .280AI for flatter trajectory and great choices available for strong 7mm bullets if you are handloading and Nosler makes factory loads for the .280AI as well. Another choice for a bigger bullet might be the 338/06. And lastly--- you could keep the 30/06 and rebarrel for accuracy. 2. Cost: This will depend on your gunsmith and where you buy your barrel from. You can buy an ER Shaw barrel (quality debate aside) and have a gunsmith rebarrel and you'll keep costs down. When I rebarreled from 7mmRM to .338WM and got a stainless barrel, removable brake, and the barrel was installed all from PAC-NOR it cost me as much as a new Savage 110 would have run. It's def cheaper to buy the barrel you want and have a smith install it instead of shipping your gun off to be installed. I wanted a particular brake and wanted it timed on the threads so I mailed my action off. 3. See #1--- Keeping your bolt face the same I would go .280AI, 338-06 or keep 30/06 and handload it. If you get a new rifle I'd look at 7mm Rem Mag or .300WM or WSM--- great bullet selections for both, great ballistics and great commercially available rounds. 4. Depends on what you want to do with the rifle. If you love your m77 and the barrel/caliber is the only thing you want to change then go for it, rebarrel, bed the action and let er rip. Otherwise I would say do a build from the ground up and make exactly the rifle you want built for the job you intend to accomplish. You can build a great set up in a more commercially available caliber with a Savage Long Range Hunter or Rem 700 (tons of aftermarket accessories). It certainly is a ton of fun to come up with an idea and make it happen so best of luck!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
duckhunter175 Report post Posted September 14, 2015 Stomp-- Great call on the 6.5-06!!! Left that one off the list. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roninflag Report post Posted September 14, 2015 easiest is to sell and get a remington long range or rem sendero. or sell and get a rem long range and rebarrel. the 30-06 is a great round. fired from a rem 700 with a krieger barrel . awesome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoss50 Report post Posted September 14, 2015 6.5-06 ackley for sure. I have always wanted to build a rifle in that caliber! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oz31p Report post Posted September 14, 2015 What's your plan for a scope? The best "long range" caliber is the world is worthless with out a scope. If you don't plan on spending 3 times the cost of the gun on the scope your better off keep what you have and become proficient with in its usable range. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted September 14, 2015 For what it's worth, my next rifle will likely be a 6.5 of some flavor. Although, my LRM pushing a 180 Scenar at 3000 with sun moa accuracy past 600 (furthest I've tested it) is going to be hard to move from. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big or Bust Report post Posted September 14, 2015 Buy my 6.5-06 Casey.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
STOMP442 Report post Posted September 14, 2015 For what it's worth, my next rifle will likely be a 6.5 of some flavor. Although, my LRM pushing a 180 Scenar at 3000 with sun moa accuracy past 600 (furthest I've tested it) is going to be hard to move from. The nice thing about 6.5's is you don't have to push those big heavy bullets. Just about any 6.5 is capable of sub MOA accuracy at 600 yards and kills just as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barnesboy Report post Posted September 15, 2015 Thank you all for the info. I have been doing some research and a lot of guys seem to like the 6.5. I will be hand loading my rounds. Which brings up another question. Is it easy to come by the 6.5 brass? I have thought about selling the gun but it means to much to me. Also am thinking of either using a huskemaw or a Vortex Viper HS LR. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
STOMP442 Report post Posted September 15, 2015 Don't waste you money on a Vortex. 6.5 brass is easily made by running .270 brass through your 6.5-06 die. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted September 16, 2015 Buy my 6.5-06 Casey.... Dude I thought you just got that thing? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted September 16, 2015 For what it's worth, my next rifle will likely be a 6.5 of some flavor. Although, my LRM pushing a 180 Scenar at 3000 with sun moa accuracy past 600 (furthest I've tested it) is going to be hard to move from. The nice thing about 6.5's is you don't have to push those big heavy bullets. Just about any 6.5 is capable of sub MOA accuracy at 600 yards and kills just as well. I don't think I said I HAD to push a big heavy bullet for sun moa accuracy at 600? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barnesboy Report post Posted September 16, 2015 Don't waste you money on a Vortex. 6.5 brass is easily made by running .270 brass through your 6.5-06 die. What scopes are you guys using and recommend? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
