changing barrels

nmaineron · November 12, 2015, 02:08 PM

How difficult is it to change barrels on a Remington 722.I have wanted a 722 in 308 for some time now..and I have found a 722 chambered for a 300 savage,would it be a big job to put a 308 barrel on...

T. O'Heir · November 12, 2015, 03:02 PM

A .300 Savage is very close to being a .308 Win. Exact same case head diameter, so there'd be no fussing with the extractor. Possibly a bit of mag work, but not likely. OAL's are really close too.
You'd need a smithy who has an M722 bushing for his barrel vise and action wrench. Even if he does, it wouldn't be much of an issue if he has it for an M700.
It might be worth more collector wise as a .300 though. Original chambering from 1948. And .300 Savage ammo/brass you can get.

Clark · November 12, 2015, 11:06 PM

I'll bet if you had two rifles, one in 308 and one in 300Sav, and you shot them without looking to see which one, you could not tell the difference in recoil, accuracy, or range.

Scorch · November 13, 2015, 02:47 AM

I just sold a 722 in 308 that started its career as a 300 Savage. It's a quick job for a smith who has a 308 reamer.

nmaineron · November 13, 2015, 03:10 PM

Thanks,How expensive was it Scorch?

James K · November 13, 2015, 03:39 PM

Actually, the .300 Savage was the "parent" of the .308. The Army found the .300 Savage to be just about what they needed, and some early test rifles were chambered for that round. But the short neck gave problems in bullet retention when feeding in automatic weapons, so the 7.62 NATO (.308 Winchester) was born.

Jim

**4V50 Gary** · November 13, 2015, 04:43 PM

I'd go to a reloading manual to check what Scorch said. If it is correct, then it's a quick run with a reamer and then checking for headspace.

Clark · November 13, 2015, 05:50 PM

I converted a 300Sav Arisaka to 308.
Just pull the barrel, put the barrel in the lathe dial it in, put the 308 reamer in it, and take out a tiny amount of metal before the 308 headspace gauge goes in all the way. Put the barrel back in the receiver.

F. Guffey · November 15, 2015, 12:34 PM

Quote:

take out a tiny amount of metal before the 308 headspace gauge goes in all the way.

When I do that I have to manage case head protrusion, then there is that tiny part. The 308 shoulder is .060" ahead of the 300 savage and the length of the case is .145" longer.

F. Guffey

mwells72774 · November 15, 2015, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clark

I converted a 300Sav Arisaka to 308.
Just pull the barrel, put the barrel in the lathe dial it in, put the 308 reamer in it, and take out a tiny amount of metal before the 308 headspace gauge goes in all the way. Put the barrel back in the receiver.

Or for $80 rent a pull through reamer from reamerrentals.com and it headspace it's self.

November 12, 2015, 02:08 PM	#1
nmaineron Junior Member Join Date: November 11, 2012 Posts: 8	changing barrels How difficult is it to change barrels on a Remington 722.I have wanted a 722 in 308 for some time now..and I have found a 722 chambered for a 300 savage,would it be a big job to put a 308 barrel on...

November 13, 2015, 02:47 AM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,249	I just sold a 722 in 308 that started its career as a 300 Savage. It's a quick job for a smith who has a 308 reamer. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

November 13, 2015, 04:43 PM	#7
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,306	I'd go to a reloading manual to check what Scorch said. If it is correct, then it's a quick run with a reamer and then checking for headspace. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

November 12, 2015, 03:02 PM	#2
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	A .300 Savage is very close to being a .308 Win. Exact same case head diameter, so there'd be no fussing with the extractor. Possibly a bit of mag work, but not likely. OAL's are really close too. You'd need a smithy who has an M722 bushing for his barrel vise and action wrench. Even if he does, it wouldn't be much of an issue if he has it for an M700. It might be worth more collector wise as a .300 though. Original chambering from 1948. And .300 Savage ammo/brass you can get.

November 12, 2015, 11:06 PM	#3
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I'll bet if you had two rifles, one in 308 and one in 300Sav, and you shot them without looking to see which one, you could not tell the difference in recoil, accuracy, or range.

November 13, 2015, 03:10 PM	#5
nmaineron Junior Member Join Date: November 11, 2012 Posts: 8	Thanks,How expensive was it Scorch?

November 13, 2015, 03:39 PM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Actually, the .300 Savage was the "parent" of the .308. The Army found the .300 Savage to be just about what they needed, and some early test rifles were chambered for that round. But the short neck gave problems in bullet retention when feeding in automatic weapons, so the 7.62 NATO (.308 Winchester) was born. Jim