Re-chambering one of my 700 Rem ADL 270's

[FEENIX]

$250 is what my GS charges just to blueprint a M700 action $350+ parts if he installs a Sako or M16 extractor. It's another $150 to install a pre-fit barrel, or $450 to thread, chamber, crown, and muzzle thread a customer supplied barrel blank.

View attachment 630246

My guess is you'll still be looking at $700 +/- to rebarrel your rifle. A NSS Criterion barrel for a M700 will run $440 plus shipping from NSS. The barrel is $335, barrel nut $30, and muzzle threads $75. Add in shipping costs and gunsmith install and that's how I came to $700.

Outlier right now has the cheapest pre-fit barrels shipped. I don't know who makes their barrels, and I don't know anyone using one. They don't offer .280 AI only 7mm-08, 7mm RM, and 7 PRC, and only offer two contours MTU and Full Bull. So you would probably be looking for a new rifle stock if you use them. If you bought the 7-08 you could rechamber to .280 AI, but ruins the affordability of the barrel.

Shaw will be the cheapest route for a new barrel installed if you use their service. As long as you're willing to wait 3-4+ months to get your rifle back. However, it'll only save maybe $100 over a NSS pre-fit installed by your GS.

I agree! The $250 is probably chambering the barrel and squaring the action's face, not truing/blueprinting the action.

 

[med358-boise]

I have 2 Remington 700 ADL's in 270 Win. One with a 24" barrel and the other with a 22". I am going to re-chamber the shorter barreled rifle to 280 AI to match the type of deer and coyote hunting I do. I don't want to spend more than $400 to do it. From what I have read I just need to get a new barrel because both rounds are wildcats from the 30-06 and everything will fit/work changing from 270-280. Other rifles I have are 30-06, 308 and 300 Win Mag. I was thinking about 25-06 or 35 Whelen, but have decided on the 280 for what I do and where I hunt. The 35 Whelen is a great round but I don't want to have to get another suppressor for one gun. Last night I saw someone post about a company that I can get a barrel for like $250-$350 but I can't for the life of me find it this morning. Any help would be appreciated.

obviously you should do what makes you happy; however, .277 to .284 is 7/1000 of an inch.

I can think of no deer or coyote or elk quite frankly that can tell the difference 7/1000 of an inch, 10 grains of bullet weight. The velocities are very similar for proportional bullet weights.

As far as shooting in the wind, (as others have said)that is going to be more dependent on the bullet you choose in either one

Your post implies you have a limited budget for this which begs the question why do it at all. I would be curious as to what improvement you think you will get?

 

[SecretSquirrel38]

I barreled my 700 myself. It's really easy, and I used a new take-off barrel to do it. I just bought the tools needed and used the vice I have mounted on my bench. It's the least expensive choice.
That being said, I don't recommend what you are doing. In my unqualified opinion, your 270 rifle is better left as is and I'd recommend buying a new rifle. Since you are dead set on the 280 Ackley Improved, plenty of off-the-shelf Rifles offer this chamber.

Honestly, I'm very disappointed in the quality of the Remington 700 Rifles. It gets a lot of hoopla, but the extractor is flimsy and weak. There are far better Rifles out there to choose from. The 700 was a great Rifle when it came out 60-plus years ago because it was accurate and cheap, and I mean cheap.
I am a fan of the 7mm, but in 2025, I would consider the 7mm-6.5mm Weatherby RPM if you insist on a re-barrel. If purchasing new, then a new 7mm offering is the ticket like 7-PRC or 28 Nosler or even a Sherman offering in a custom rig. The 6.5-06 Improved wildcats or 6.5mm RPM shooting the heavies can do the job, but it's whatever motivates you, it's your Hunt.

Thanks for your input. I have two 270's. 22" and 24" barrels in 700 REM AD and I love them. That's why I am going the route I am. My mind is made up on the 280AI and a new one still gives me two 270's in my safe. I can only shoot one at a time LOL.

 

[med358-boise]

My mind is made up on the 280AI

What made up your mind?

 

[SecretSquirrel38]

What made up your mind?

I really like what I see in my research and like the round. Magnum performance out of a non-magnum/belted round that almost matches a 7mm rem mag. Also ease of converting. I'm not interested in a 25-06 or 35 Whelen right now. If I get a 35 Whelen it will be a break action CVA. I love my 270's and 700 REM's and don't have to do much to convert one of them. If I didn't have 2 in 270 I would just buy a new rifle. I got rid of one of my 50 MZ's because I only need one for the 2 week season we have in TN. I don't like duplication in my gun safe. I am going to get rid of some shotguns because I have 4 (3-12's and one 20 with 3 different barrels). I like a good variety.

I have the following: 35 REM Marlin 336, two 270 Win both 700 ADL, 308 CVA Cascade. 30-06 Browning A-bolt, easy access to an 243 and 300 WM REM 700 BDL. I roll my own and I also looked at component availability with multiple options.

 

[cajun]

I really like what I see in my research and like the round. Magnum performance out of a non-magnum/belted round that almost matches a 7mm rem mag. Also ease of converting. I'm not interested in a 25-06 or 35 Whelen right now. If I get a 35 Whelen it will be a break action CVA. I love my 270's and 700 REM's and don't have to do much to convert one of them. If I didn't have 2 in 270 I would just buy a new rifle. I got rid of one of my 50 MZ's because I only need one for the 2 week season we have in TN. I don't like duplication in my gun safe. I am going to get rid of some shotguns because I have 4 (3-12's and one 20 with 3 different barrels). I like a good variety.

I have the following: 35 REM Marlin 336, two 270 Win both 700 ADL, 308 CVA Cascade. 30-06 Browning A-bolt, easy access to an 243 and 300 WM REM 700 BDL. I roll my own and I also looked at component availability with multiple options.

100% on the 280AI. I converted an 06. Almost 7 mag and less powder. The 7 saum is very similar.

 

[FEENIX]

100% on the 280AI. I converted an 06. Almost 7 mag and less powder. The 7 saum is very similar.

In 2012, I was going to build myself a .280 AI, but everybody in their brother has one. I went with the .270 AI instead. It was built primarily to propel the 165/175 Matrix VLDs. I used to have a 7MM and STW but repurposed them. I prefer .30 cal over .28 cal. I was gifted with a 7MM SAUM in 2022, so now I have a renewed interest - https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/what-did-i-do-to-deserve-this.290658/

 

[med358-boise]

I really like what I see in my research and like the round. Magnum performance out of a non-magnum/belted round that almost matches a 7mm rem mag. Also ease of converting. I'm not interested in a 25-06 or 35 Whelen right now. If I get a 35 Whelen it will be a break action CVA. I love my 270's and 700 REM's and don't have to do much to convert one of them. If I didn't have 2 in 270 I would just buy a new rifle. I got rid of one of my 50 MZ's because I only need one for the 2 week season we have in TN. I don't like duplication in my gun safe. I am going to get rid of some shotguns because I have 4 (3-12's and one 20 with 3 different barrels). I like a good variety.

I have the following: 35 REM Marlin 336, two 270 Win both 700 ADL, 308 CVA Cascade. 30-06 Browning A-bolt, easy access to an 243 and 300 WM REM 700 BDL. I roll my own and I also looked at component availability with multiple options.

Again, everybody gets to do whatever they want and own as many rifles as they want but in reading your OP you state that the 280 AI is going to be better for your hunting (or words to that effect) my concern/question would be, are you achieving variety and removing duplication in "name only". Given that Nosler standardized the 280 AI, a review of their reloading data is informative.

270 Win vs 280 AI
Bullet Wt: 140 150
Sect Dens .261 .266
BC .460 .493
Vel 2900-3000 3000-3100

270 Win vs 280 AI
Bullet Wt: 150 160
Sect Dens .279 .283
BC .500 .531
Vel 2850-2900 2950-3050

The difference in those performance specs is 10 grains (or ~7%), ~ 6% in BC and ~4% in velocity. I don't see any practical difference between the two cartridges except for the all important CDI factor which the 280 AI has a higher CDI factor...which is the Chicks Dig it factor .

Enjoy whatever new rifle you choose to create.

 

[SecretSquirrel38]

Again, everybody gets to do whatever they and own as many rifles as they want but in reading your OP you state that the 280 AI is going to be better for your hunting (or words to that effect) my concern/question would be, are you achieving variety and removing duplication in "name only". Given that Nosler standardized the 280 AI, a review of their reloading data is informative.

270 Win vs 280 AI
Bullet Wt: 140 150
Sect Dens .261 .266
BC .460 .493
Vel 2900-3000 3000-3100

270 Win vs 280 AI
Bullet Wt: 150 160
Sect Dens .279 .283
BC .500 .531
Vel 2850-2900 2950-3050

The difference in those performance specs is 10 grains (or ~7%), ~ 6% in BC and ~4% in velocity. I don't see any practical difference between the two cartridges except for the all important CDI factor which the 280 AI has a higher CDI factor...which is the Chicks Dig it factor .

Enjoy whatever new rifle you choose to create.

There is also the 1-10 vs 1-8, 1.85 or 9 twist differences. Everything I have is a 1-10.

 

[Idaho Lefty]

Thought about. The open terrain where I hunt will cause it to move around too much with the wind. No one has ever harvested anything with less than a 270 win in the field. 1 mile x .5 mile. 280AI give me the velocity and energy close to a 7mm Mag with less the powder with a wider bullet selection.

Agree, the 7 MM Bullet's HIGH BC's ( Great for, Wind Bucking ! ) ARE, amazing and Your Choice of, the .280 Ack imp.,.. IS,. a Good, One !
And, after this Rifle is Done, you can Cull, a few of, the "Duplicates" in your gun Safe !
Good luck, on your New Criterion Barrel and other, Mod's and please, keep us Posted on, How it,.. "Shoots" !
If, you need, a Great Trigger for your Rem 700 action, Timney makes a Good One for about, $150 ish ( IIRC,.. called, the Hunter Model )
I put one in my Rem 700, .22-250 and it's, a "Hammer" !
Back in, the 1980's to mid 1990's, the .280 Rem. was THE most Popular, Custom Rifle / Re-Barreling Job's cartridge, that I did for, my Customers.
Shortly thereafter, the .280 Ackley Became, VERY,.. Popular.

 

[SecretSquirrel38]

Agree, the 7 MM Bullet's HIGH BC's ( Great for, Wind Bucking ! ) ARE, amazing and Your Choice of, the .280 Ack imp.,.. IS,. a Good, One !
And, after this Rifle is Done, you can Cull, a few of, the "Duplicates" in your gun Safe !
Good luck, on your New Criterion Barrel and other, Mod's and please, keep us Posted on, How it,.. "Shoots" !
If, you need, a Great Trigger for your Rem 700 action, Timney makes a Good One for about, $150 ish ( IIRC,.. called, the Hunter Model )
I put one in my Rem 700, .22-250 and it's, a "Hammer" !
Back in, the 1980's to mid 1990's, the .280 Rem. was THE most Popular, Custom Rifle / Re-Barreling Job's cartridge, that I did for, my Customers.
Shortly thereafter, the .280 Ackley Became, VERY,.. Popular.

I will be putting a Timney trigger on it. I still have decide what twist rate I am going to get for the new barrel. The trigger on it now is one that were part of the recall, but it was rebuilt to correct the issues by my old gunsmith who passed away at 79 due to COVID. I miss him and his 55+ years of experience. He set the trigger at 2.5 pounds and it's still so smooth. What would you think for a 24" barrel in regard to twist? My gunsmith recommended 1-8 or 1-8.5 for longer range and higher BC bullets.

 

[ducky]

Twist a barrel as fast as you can, they're only making bullets longer. I made the mistake of using a slow twist barrel in the past because I got it cheap. It really limits what I can do with the rifle.

I now just buy the fastest twist available when possible. That said I don't have anything faster than 1:7. I'm not going to build a .338 anything with a 1:3 twist barrel, unless I really get an itch for the 8.6 Blackout.

 

[Idaho Lefty]

I will be putting a Timney trigger on it. I still have decide what twist rate I am going to get for the new barrel. The trigger on it now is one that were part of the recall, but it was rebuilt to correct the issues by my old gunsmith who passed away at 79 due to COVID. I miss him and his 55+ years of experience. He set the trigger at 2.5 pounds and it's still so smooth. What would you think for a 24" barrel in regard to twist? My gunsmith recommended 1-8 or 1-8.5 for longer range and higher BC bullets.

My son's, 1-8 Twist, "Works" Great, in his Proof barreled, 7 PRC with 180 gr. ELD-M's and, the 175 gr., ELD-X's / Berger Elites.
I doubt IF, you'd Have any "issues", with either Twist, tho ! ( you will Still have to Try, a Couple of Bullets to SEE what, YOUR Barrel, LIKES ! ).
BRUX barrels, has been experimenting with, the 1-8.3 Twist and having good Luck, so I'd think that, the 1-8.5 would also Be, very Good !
Ask Jim at Northland, His opinion and tell Him, your Choice of, Bullets / weight for, the .280 Ackley as He is, really "in-Tune" to What "Works" with,.. His Barrels ! His Advice was "Gold" for My 6 XC Barrel, as to Twist and, amount of, Free bore !

 

[SecretSquirrel38]

My son's, 1-8 Twist, "Works" Great, in his Proof barreled, 7 PRC with 180 gr. ELD-M's and, the 175 gr., ELD-X's / Berger Elites.
I doubt IF, you'd Have any "issues", with either Twist, tho ! ( you will Still have to Try, a Couple of Bullets to SEE what, YOUR Barrel, LIKES ! ).
BRUX barrels, has been experimenting with, the 1-8.3 Twist and having good Luck, so I'd think that, the 1-8.5 would also Be, very Good !
Ask Jim at Northland, His opinion and tell Him, your Choice of, Bullets / weight for, the .280 Ackley as He is, really "in-Tune" to What "Works" with,.. His Barrels !

I called the other day and Jim in on vacation until next week. I will get with him then. Thanks Lefty!