Short action chambering help

[Lovellr653]

I have a Remington 700 SPS Tactical chambered in 223 which has served its purpose and was ultimately a segway into a higher level of reloading and shooting. At this point I rarely shoot it and was thinking maybe I could repurpose it instead of selling it. What all is involved with changing over to a different cartridge besides a barrel swap? I am thinking maybe a 300WSM if possible or some other short action hunting cartridge. Do I need to buy a new bolt or does the bolt face have to be machined to size? Am I better off selling and using the money to buy a nicer receiver? Any input on the subject is appreciated.

 

[Ross1147]

Yeah, imho that's a bridge too far. To go from 223 to 300 WSM you'd need a bolt swap, barrel swap, spring and follower swapped and the action feed rails opened up. You'd be better off selling and buying a different gun.

Now, if you reload and want something cool you could always swap it over to something like a 7 TCU, 6 TCU, 223ai with fast twist barrel for heavies. Or you could always go with a 300 BLK if you don't reload. No where near the power of a WSM, but fun none the less. Good luck with your decision!

 

[brcfo_outdoors]

Sell it and put the money towards buying either the nicer receiver or the complete rifle that you want. I personally don't buy over the counter bolt guns anymore because I feel that custom guns are easier to source and build in the era of pre-fit barrels and great quality actions. The end result of going custom will trump anything built off a hacked up Remington action.

 

[Lovellr653]

Yeah, imho that's a bridge too far. To go from 223 to 300 WSM you'd need a bolt swap, barrel swap, spring and follower swapped and the action feed rails opened up. You'd be better off selling and buying a different gun.

Now, if you reload and want something cool you could always swap it over to something like a 7 TCU, 6 TCU, 223ai with fast twist barrel for heavies. Or you could always go with a 300 BLK if you don't reload. No where near the power of a WSM, but fun none the less. Good luck with your decision!

I'll have to look into the TCUs, I'm not familiar with them.

 

[Lovellr653]

Sell it and put the money towards buying either the nicer receiver or the complete rifle that you want. I personally don't buy over the counter bolt guns anymore because I feel that custom guns are easier to source and build in the era of pre-fit barrels and great quality actions. The end result of going custom will trump anything built off a hacked up Remington action.

Really liking the idea of a nice new receiver and putting together my first custom. I shot my buddies 6XC the other day that he built on a Defiance Ruckus and it was a thing of beauty.

 

[BillLarson]

If you do decide to go bigger.i have a couple of short mag.bolts to sell.

 

[matt_3479]

The money you'd spend just making the receiver work you could buy a couple different receivers in the same ball park, with better resale values and nicer overall. Kelbly, defiance, bighorn, arc, Mac bro's just to name a few. Then doing that swap you'd need a barrel regardless so that's a wash, the only addition expense would be stock and trigger.

 

[Lovellr653]

The money you'd spend just making the receiver work you could buy a couple different receivers in the same ball park, with better resale values and nicer overall. Kelbly, defiance, bighorn, arc, Mac bro's just to name a few. Then doing that swap you'd need a barrel regardless so that's a wash, the only addition expense would be stock and trigger.

That's good to know. I think it's settled then, sell the gun, buy a receiver and go from there. Thanks for the help.

 

[shortgrass]

Open the .223 bolt face and install a M16 style extractor. Open the rails and lengthen the feed port, then install a Wyatts centerfeed box and follower. Now, you're ready for a barrel. You already own the receiver, so for $250, and most likely less, it can become a WSM (not counting the barrel).

 

[jpfrog]

That's good to know. I think it's settled then, sell the gun, buy a receiver and go from there. Thanks for the help.

Personally I'd keep it and use it as a trainer, and make yourself actually use it more. Ammo and components are tough to find right now for everything. Having something that's less $$ to shoot for trigger time is wise.

If you absolutely must sell it, PM me- I have two boys under age 8 and I could make good use of that rifle for them.

 

[Idaho Lefty]

Sell IT.,. put, a couple of C notes with it, and buy, a .300 WSM, Tikka ! Guaranteed Sub 1 Inch groups and even BETTER, IF,.. you Hand load !