Opinions Wanted: Get Work Done on Old Rifle or Get New Rifle?

[andersonjk4]

I am due to recieve my first suppressor this winter.  Problem is none of my current rifles are threaded.  I don't really feel comfortable using a slip on adapter, so I am debating between getting my current rifle(s) threaded vs. putting that money toward a new rifle(s) that are already threaded. 

I have a semi custom 300WM (Howa 1500 action with Broughton barrel) with a 26" mag sporter barrel sitting in a Hogue stock.  The rifle shoots great, but I am not in love with it.  I would prefer a little lighther rifle (rifle sits just under 9lbs) and a little shorter barrel since adding a 9" suppressor to a 26" barrel makes for one long package.

So my debate is to take my current rifle to a gunsmith and have the barrel shortened 2" and threaded, barrel fluted (to reduce a little weight and becuase it looks cool), re-cerakote the barrel and action, and possibly a new, lighter, stock.  This work is likely to cost $500-$700 plus the stock if I upgraded.  Should I have any concerns with rifle accuracy after all this work if done by a competent gunsmith?

Alternatively I could sell the rifle, and use that $500-$700 plus to buy a new rifle that is already threaded and something in the 7lb ballpark.  My budget would be somewhere in the $1200 range.  Seems like a lot of good production rifles out there nowadays and most everything has a threaded barrel.  My concern is moving on from a known performer and starting over with a new rifle. 

Opinions? Experiences? What would you do?       

[follow maggie]

First thing I think I’d check to see if the barrel on the current rifle is thick enough for that work. A lot of hunting barrels aren’t. That being said, I expect he rifle would shoot differently after that work, so you still might be getting an unknown performer. I’d probably opt for a new rifle with a threaded barrel

[pickardjw]

I got my Tikka T3X stainless in 6.5 CM chopped and threaded at 18" with 5/8-24 threads. Put the Nomad Ti on and had no POI shift.

I'd vote buy a new rifle. If you're okay with it being longer, a Tikka Veil or Roughtech come with threaded barrels. If you'd like a shorter overall package, a T3X stainless and get it chopped and threaded. Or just buy a new, shorter, threaded barrel and sell the unused Tikka stock barrel.

[Stein]

Life is too short to be messing around with a rifle you don't really like.

[treefarmer]

Lots of good quality rifles in the price range pre threaded.   Should be some Black Friday sales coming up at cabelas and sportsman’s and the like

[pianoman9701]

Keep the old rifle and get a new rifle. Sell the golf clubs.

[slavenoid]

Something like a 20" 7prc would be nice to slap that big 9" suppressor on.

[andersonjk4]

I got my Tikka T3X stainless in 6.5 CM chopped and threaded at 18" with 5/8-24 threads. Put the Nomad Ti on and had no POI shift.

I'd vote buy a new rifle. If you're okay with it being longer, a Tikka Veil or Roughtech come with threaded barrels. If you'd like a shorter overall package, a T3X stainless and get it chopped and threaded. Or just buy a new, shorter, threaded barrel and sell the unused Tikka stock barrel.

I may do something like that for my wife/kids 7mm-08.  Who did you have do the work?

[pickardjw]

I got my Tikka T3X stainless in 6.5 CM chopped and threaded at 18" with 5/8-24 threads. Put the Nomad Ti on and had no POI shift.

I'd vote buy a new rifle. If you're okay with it being longer, a Tikka Veil or Roughtech come with threaded barrels. If you'd like a shorter overall package, a T3X stainless and get it chopped and threaded. Or just buy a new, shorter, threaded barrel and sell the unused Tikka stock barrel.

I may do something like that for my wife/kids 7mm-08.  Who did you have do the work?

West Coast Armory Bellevue. A gunsmith would need to verify you have enough barrel for 5/8-24 threads. I think it cost me around $200.

[andersonjk4]

Life is too short to be messing around with a rifle you don't really like.

Very true.  I like the rifle, just not the setup I want for a supressed mountain rifle.  I think the way it is now is about a perfect balance between weight and recoil for a 300WM without a brake.  Ive had lighter rifles that were no fun to shoot and packed a buddies 13 pounder around the mountains and felt like leaving it proped against a tree.  Haha. 

[andersonjk4]

Keep the old rifle and get a new rifle. Sell the golf clubs.

   Wish my old clubs were worth enough to consider that haha.  Unfortunately a fourth child and building a house has the budget stretched pretty thin.  But I'm not sure that I can get that supressor shipped to me and stand not having something to screw it on and go test it out.   

[BeerBugler]

Buy a new rifle, so many great options out there now. That being said, I recently had a Howa 1500 threaded ($100) and dropped in a Oryx Chassis ($400) and LOVE it.

[buckfvr]

Whatever you do, with a can youll want that barrel down to 18-20 inches.  I dont believe that to be a good option for .300 wm.  Also, new rifles with an 18-20 inch barrel really limits your choices.   

[Fidelk]

Life is too short to be messing around with a rifle you don't really like.

Very true.  I like the rifle, just not the setup I want for a supressed mountain rifle.  I think the way it is now is about a perfect balance between weight and recoil for a 300WM without a brake.  Ive had lighter rifles that were no fun to shoot and packed a buddies 13 pounder around the mountains and felt like leaving it proped against a tree.  Haha.

I have a couple thoughts/questions.......is a suppressor or even a muzzle brake required for a hunting rifle that should only need to be fired once for the tags in your pocket........and if you don't like carrying a heavy rifle, put on a safari sling, carry it on your chest, hands free and not feel much weight.

[andersonjk4]

Whatever you do, with a can youll want that barrel down to 18-20 inches.  I dont believe that to be a good option for .300 wm.  Also, new rifles with an 18-20 inch barrel really limits your choices.   

Thanks for the input. Definitely something to keep in mind. I like the 300WM but if I end up getting something new I’m probably not going to limit myself to just that cartridge.

[andersonjk4]

Life is too short to be messing around with a rifle you don't really like.

Very true.  I like the rifle, just not the setup I want for a supressed mountain rifle.  I think the way it is now is about a perfect balance between weight and recoil for a 300WM without a brake.  Ive had lighter rifles that were no fun to shoot and packed a buddies 13 pounder around the mountains and felt like leaving it proped against a tree.  Haha.

I have a couple thoughts/questions.......is a suppressor or even a muzzle brake required for a hunting rifle that should only need to be fired once for the tags in your pocket........and if you don't like carrying a heavy rifle, put on a safari sling, carry it on your chest, hands free and not feel much weight.

Fair question. Regarding hunting with a suppressor, I imagine myself pretty much always having the suppressor on. I have made many bad decisions when it comes to hearing protection and at 40 am starting to realize the consequences. I always have ear plugs around my neck, but never fails that I forget or don’t have time. I feel like every unprotected shot has an impact on my hearing. But worth considering. Thanks for the input.

As far as weight goes… for me, weight is weight whether it’s across the chest, on a shoulder, or in my hands. 

[JakeLand]

I got my Tikka T3X stainless in 6.5 CM chopped and threaded at 18" with 5/8-24 threads. Put the Nomad Ti on and had no POI shift.

I'd vote buy a new rifle. If you're okay with it being longer, a Tikka Veil or Roughtech come with threaded barrels. If you'd like a shorter overall package, a T3X stainless and get it chopped and threaded. Or just buy a new, shorter, threaded barrel and sell the unused Tikka stock barrel.

X2 except I’d go 7mm remmag