Post by: andersonjk4 on November 08, 2023, 12:59:13 PM
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?
Post by: follow maggie on November 08, 2023, 01:41:27 PM
Post by: pickardjw on November 08, 2023, 01:56:53 PM
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.
Post by: Stein on November 08, 2023, 02:04:03 PM
Post by: treefarmer on November 08, 2023, 02:05:49 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 08, 2023, 02:42:20 PM
Post by: slavenoid on November 08, 2023, 03:38:40 PM
Post by: andersonjk4 on November 08, 2023, 03:56:41 PM
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?
Post by: pickardjw on November 08, 2023, 04:04:02 PM
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.
Post by: andersonjk4 on November 08, 2023, 04:07:11 PM
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.
Post by: andersonjk4 on November 08, 2023, 04:11:33 PM
Keep the old rifle and get a new rifle. Sell the golf clubs.
:chuckle: 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.
Post by: BeerBugler on November 08, 2023, 05:13:38 PM
Post by: buckfvr on November 08, 2023, 05:24:11 PM
Post by: Fidelk on November 08, 2023, 07:07:09 PM
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.
Post by: andersonjk4 on November 08, 2023, 07:15:13 PM
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. :twocents:
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.
Post by: andersonjk4 on November 08, 2023, 07:50:29 PM
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.
Post by: JakeLand on November 08, 2023, 07:58:27 PM
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.X2 except I’d go 7mm remmag
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.