Reboring

I have Wby Vanguard that Birddog1911 is doing a custom paint job on. Got a inkling to change the caliber to 338-06 and looking at reboring the barrel.

Understand that there is some risk depedning on the quality of the production barrel material and the accuracy of the rifle may not be as good as the benchrest quality barrel, but still worth looking in to more.

Anyone had a barrel rebored? Interested in hearing your experiences.

Any recommendations on gunsmiths that do reboring? I typically use TJ's and looking at Kelley Sports, but not sure if either do reboring.

With labor rates and you would be losing the original barrel. Find a shop that will re barrel that gun.
Re boring is generally only used to get a collector piece with a shot out barrel new life.
Such as my old Westley Richards double rifle in 303 British.

Actually have heard from a few folks that have successfully rebored their hunting rifles from 30-06 to 35 Whelen. They are pleased with the results with the rifle shooting as good as it did previously.

Unforunately my Vanguard isn't a good candidate for reboring due to its hammer forged barrel. Still might work, but with this type of barrel there can be air pockets that will lead to less than desirable results.

Seems like reboring is a reasonable option if the barrel composition is appropriate. It is cheaper but could get ugly/more expensive if the process hits a snag.

My take is that it is like rebuilding an engine versus dropping in a new Edelbrock crate motor. Not exactly an apples to apples comparison.

For the money a Shilen or Kreiger is the way to go.

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Originally Posted by BPTactical

For the money a Shilen or Kreiger is the way to go.

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Both have solid reputations. I have a Kreiger on my LR-308 and is a very accurate barrel.

Actually talking with Mark Chanlynn out of Lyons, CO. Owns Rocky Mountain Rifle Works and probably who I will go with to rebarrel the rifle unless I just decide to buy a 338-06 rifle and keep the 30-06.

I have been asking similar questions and looking at alternatives, Mcgowen blanks are 155, probably a deuce+ for threaded and deep ckambered, probably about 300 installed headspaced etc, nice thing about cganging bbls is you can add a couple inches length, and go to a heavier contour, I do not see 338/06 has any advantage over.35 whelen at any range you would shoot game at, neither is a real 1000 yard cartridge, in a magnum ,I believe the .338 shines a bit, velocity and long range wise, if you want to play in those areas, look at the 9.3x62 as well, just things i have been pondering, sometimes I only come up with more questions, not definitive answers