How easy is a Remington 700 barrel swap

[Tokimini]

I need a new barrel for my 700 in 204. All the barrel manufacturers have lead times for replaceing barrels from 4 to 8 months and I really don't want to wait that long. I have located a barrel but I'm having trouble finding a gunsmith in the Rochester NY area who will do the swap.
I've seen 700 rebarreling videos on Utube and it looks straightforward enough. Has anyone personally rebarreled a 700 and what were the results. PS - I'm pretty mechanically inclined and have a decent shop set up.

[Rick in Oregon]

It's not a big deal as long as you have the proper tools for the job. You'll need an action wrench (for the specific action) and a barrel vise, both available from Brownells.

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools ... 16140.aspx

If you're working with a M700, you'll need this one:

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools ... 25119.aspx

They've got the best selection of barrel vises also:

http://www.brownells.com/search/index.h ... &ksubmit=y

I'll offer a caveat here....once you get started down this road, count on at least one switch-barrel rifle project in the near future.

[Tokimini]

Thanks Rick. I should have known you'd know how to do it.

[ahazbin]

If you are lucky enough to have the equipment, Rick's info should do the trick. I don't, so I called Jim Briggs at Northland Shooters Supply, on Savageshooters.com. He carries Rem/Age barrels. The brand is Criterion, made by Kreiger. They use the Savage type barrel nut to set headspace with. You can change barrels yourself with just a go-gauge. I got one from him to go from .223 to .243 on my 700. Wish I could tell you how it shoots, but I am waiting for a new bolt from Pacific tool. PacNor also has the same thing.
Hope you are getting through the storm without any problems.
David

[Tokimini]

Thanks David. Some damage up here from the storm but we rode it out OK. One of my sons is in New Jersey just 2 miles from the ocean and they got hammered. He's OK but what a mess.

[Rick in Oregon]

ahazbin: Welcome to the forum, love your screen name! Sometimes I feel exactly the same.

Tokimini: Brownells can also supply the go/no-go gauges for any barrel swap/replacement. I also like to smear a tad of Never-Seeze on the barrel threads....it goes on easier/smoother, and is much easier to remove later. Just a dab is all that's needed, and you won't need a 4' cheater bar.

[ahazbin]

Rick,
We have both had back surgery, so I'm sure on some days we really do feel the same.
David