.308 with long action

[Yoshi]

I've been reading that it's okay to run a .308 in a long action. Just wondering if anyone here is doing it?

 

[Pinecone]

You may have feeding problems, as the round will have time without any support.

And why would you want to do this anyway?

 

[sailskidrive]

You sure can.

The Army's M24 sniper rifle is a Rem 700 long action feeding a 7.62x51; while the USMC's M40 is a Rem 700 short action...

If I remember correctly the Army went this route so that they convert the rifle to a 300 Win Mag if necessary.

 

[Yoshi]

I have to opportunity to buy a 300WM that has the stock I want for a GREAT price. I am not interested in shooting the 300WM yet, so I figure I could rebarrel it with something a bit more tame. Even with rebarreling and buying a new bolt, it's cheaper than I can put it together myself.

Saw that the Army uses the LA in their M24's and I like the idea.

 

[armed ferret]

I have to opportunity to buy a 300WM that has the stock I want for a GREAT price. I am not interested in shooting the 300WM yet, so I figure I could rebarrel it with something a bit more tame. Even with rebarreling and buying a new bolt, it's cheaper than I can put it together myself.

Saw that the Army uses the LA in their M24's and I like the idea.

You'll need a new bolt then, if that's the case. .532" > .473", and you'll likely find it doesn't function very well with a bolt head that's too big for the round.

So figure $250 for a PTG bolt body, firing pin/shroud assembly, and handle, plus $300-ish for new barrel, and another $300-$400 for squaring up the action, threading/chambering/cutting/crowning....

still a bargain?

 

[Yoshi]

still a bargain?

Yup, by about $400 based on the build I want.

 

[armed ferret]

you must be getting the donor for free then, because a used youth .243 ADL goes for about 300-350 on gunbroker. trip the tupperware and factory tube and you're into it for around 250 or less. and it's already the right size.

 

[Pinecone]

Just load the .330 WM rounds to a .308 velocity.

And then when you want the extra punch, you don't have to do anything.

 

[Jerry M]

I have one, replaced the barrel on a .270 Win. It's been done may times before.

Good luck

Jerry