Rebarrel an A-Bolt

[lil 2 sleepy]

I have a 25-06 A bolt stainless that is sitting in my safe. I like the gun, and my kids will be able to shoot it one day with no problem, but I'd like to buy a 30-06 barrel for the gun and have it where its more versatile when one of them gets big enough to really use it.

Is it just simply as easy as buying a 30-06 barrel and screwing it on in this instance? The action shouldn't need anything being the cartridge is the same.

I've never done any work on a rifle, so it might be a dumb question.

[billyjack]

Not a gunsmith, but I think it would be infinitely less expensive to buy another A-Bolt in 30-06.

And you wouldn’t sacrifice your currrent rifle which is chambered in the greatest deer caliber ever invented.

[Phone Man]

sent it and have it rebored at JES

[billyjack]

That said, if you decide you want a 30-06 I may have a trade for you.

[nitro5x6's]

For most uses , not one thing wrong with a 25-06. Great cartridge that kills most any animal under 300 pounds with efficiency. Load it with an Accubond, Partition, TTSX or Sierra GameKing and it's a performer. It will tip a deer over with ease - way out there.

[lil 2 sleepy]

I just did a little research, and apparently the Browning A-Bolts have locktite on the threads and its 50-50 on whether they will remove without damage to some part. Browning even recommends replacing the action if you replace the barrel.

I guess that means I have a 25-06 for life. I wasn't seeing any Browning replacement barrels. That would explain why.

[Palmetto Bug]

Beside screwing the new barrel in, it needs to be head-spaced to the bolt face, which could require shims or machining.

I don't think re-boring and re-rifling the existing barrel is an economically feasible option.

When you look at the options, a new rifle in 30-06 is probably the best way to go. Then you have two complete guns instead of one with extra parts.

[Saltydog235]

I’d buy a new gun. Plenty of ‘06’s out there for cheap on a 700, 70, 110, T3 etc. action that are much more conducive to modification and upgrade down the road. Browning has never had much in the way of aftermarket support.

[billyjack]

I don’t know much about custom rifle building, but I always thought the action on an A-bolt was smooth and the bolt throw angle small enough to make it a good candidate for a custom build. Maybe the above issue is why I’ve never heard of a custom A-bolt.

My 700 action feels like it was machined using a gravel road by comparison.

[Saltydog235]

I don’t know much about custom rifle building, but I always thought the action on an A-bolt was smooth and the bolt throw angle small enough to make it a good candidate for a custom build. Maybe the above issue is why I’ve never heard of a custom A-bolt.

My 700 action feels like it was machined using a gravel road by comparison.

If I were looking for a donor action it’d be a Tikka or Sako.

[Bownut]

I think Tha Dick did one last year .

[Griffin]

There is no issue with re barreling an a bolt. The barrels are simple to remove and any competent gunsmith can do it. It’s a cost issue more than anything. 275-300 in labor plus the cost of the barrel. At that mount you could damn near buy a new gun. The larger issue is the availability of aftermarket stocks. All of the good ones will be custom ordered and take months. If you’re looking to do a custom build start with a Remington 700. Tikka is an amazing factory action but customizing them is more costly than a 700.
I believe what the OP was asking was in reference to prefit barrels like on a savage. In which case the answer is no.

[Tha Dick]

I think Tha Dick did one last year .

I did. I was already too deep down the rabbit hole on this one so there was no turning back. If I had it to do over, I'd probably just start from scratch with a custom 700 clone. "like the one I'm doing now"

There is no issue with re barreling an a bolt. The barrels are simple to remove and any competent gunsmith can do it. It’s a cost issue more than anything. 275-300 in labor plus the cost of the barrel. At that mount you could damn near buy a new gun. The larger issue is the availability of aftermarket stocks. All of the good ones will be custom ordered and take months. If you’re looking to do a custom build start with a Remington 700. Tikka is an amazing factory action but customizing them is more costly than a 700.
I believe what the OP was asking was in reference to prefit barrels like on a savage. In which case the answer is no.

This.