Help Me Decide on Rifle Trade

[matthaias]

I recently bought a 700 SPS stainless 300WM off GunBroker, and the barrel was falsely advertised as being 26". To my disappointment when I picked it up from my FFL, I noticed it had a 24" barrel.

I have an opportunity this weekend to trade my buddy for his 700 BDL 300WM with a 26" barrel straight up. Both are early to mid 90s, mine is stainless his is not. The stock is not a consideration because I have a Stockys fiberglass sporter that it is going in. I am loading 215gr bullets for it.

What would you do, trade or no?

 

[Tiny Tim]

If condition, round count, and twist are same, why not? BDL likely better than SPS. Depends if the stainless means much to you.

 

[JMW67]

if the trade makes you both happy just do it

 

[DJ Fergus]

I personally prefer long barrels in magnum cartridges. 26" being my favorite. 28" my second favorite. I would trade. That's just me. Some people don't like 26" barrels like I do. But it's just strictly preference.

 

[Deputy819]

IF IT FEELS GOOD....DO IT!!

 

[milo-2]

IF IT FEELS GOOD....DO IT!!

Lol, this train of thought gets a lot of people in trouble.

 

[Iron Worker]

Have you considered re-barreling it along with chambering it in 300 PRC with a fast twist bbl ? Its a superior cartridge. Plus when installing a new bbl they true the action up . 28"cut rifled barrel, nice muzzle brake ,show up at the range with that and Kings and Queens will step aside .

 

[Sockeye66]

If I was in your shoes I'd keep it and add a quality brake. You'll lose a little velocity but nothing RL26 can't make up for.

 

[matthaias]

I can't justify the cost of a rebarrel right now. I just got into reloading, have two kids and a third on the way. I'm just trying to get some performance out of a factory 700 with a stock, Timney, and some hand loads. I was leaning towards the trade since a 26" barrel is what I wanted, but I also wanted stainless. The poll is confirming my choice, thanks for helping!

 

[Deputy819]

Good choice! I was just being facetious earlier. May as well give those 215's as much 'runway' as possible. And if for some reason you don't like the 26" barrel it might be cheaper to hack a couple inches off than it will be to add it back on (from a re-barreling standpoint).

 

[MagMan]

Shoot it and see. If it shoots well why care about the 2"?

 

[HARPERC]

.........If I was in your shoes I'd keep it and add a quality brake. You'll lose a little velocity but nothing RL26 can't make up for.........

It's a bit theoretical at this point if one of these .300's will actually deliver more MV than the other.

You know this, and it's why your needing help to decide.

I'd trade probably because it would irritate me that I didn't get what I ordered every time I looked at it.

 

[338 dude]

I recently bought a 700 SPS stainless 300WM off GunBroker, and the barrel was falsely advertised as being 26". To my disappointment when I picked it up from my FFL, I noticed it had a 24" barrel.

I have an opportunity this weekend to trade my buddy for his 700 BDL 300WM with a 26" barrel straight up. Both are early to mid 90s, mine is stainless his is not. The stock is not a consideration because I have a Stockys fiberglass sporter that it is going in. I am loading 215gr bullets for it.

What would you do, trade or no?

I would prefer the stainless myself And it will need to be rebarreled sooner or later much like ammunition barrels are consumable also +2 inches more barrel only equate to what 60 ft./s or so that can be made up with your hand loads and will be easier to handle being shorter

 

[Steves1911]

Do what makes you happy but depending on the individual barell you may or may not see much gain in speed. For what its worth im pushing 208gr eldm 2980fps from a 24" with no pressure signs.