looking for what seems to be a nonexsistant barrel.

5

.50cal packer

New member
So I got out my Browning A bolt Classic hunter in 243 WSSM. It has a 20" barrel on it, and it has always been a tack driver up to 200 yard. I decided to do some 500 yard + shooting and the adjustment for it, isn't wort the ammo wasted trying. So I decided, it needed a new look. So I found a great target stock for a great price. But I'm finding that I can find a place online that manufactures a replacement barrel let alone a longer replacement barrel. I'd love something between 26"-30" barrel for this critter. Does anyone know of a place that would be willing to manufacture such a barrel? I want a long range gun, but don't want to have to buy an entirely new gun, just to start from scratch again. I'd be willing to buy a 25-06 barreled action, for a decent price. Any and all advice is welcome.

I have read about A bolts being a pain or impossible to replace the barrel many times. However, I also have read and found people who have changed them before. So I'm sure it's possible to do. But need to be pointed in the right direction.
 
I love Brownings more than most folks. I've had at least one Browning in my array for nearly 20 years now.

But building up a Browning for a dedicated range gun for long range shooting is an expensive proposition. You may find it to be cheaper to buy a rifle that's easier to modify for your intended purpose. It's my understanding that the barrels are very difficult to replace, assuming you can find a competent gunsmith willing to take on the task. Brownings just aren't a good platform for range use, they aren't really built to put a lot of rounds downrange on a regular basis, they're really just made to hunt with.

The Savage 10 or 12 series are probably some of the least expensive options out there for target shooting on a budget.

I don't mean to sound critical of your plan, but in addition to what I said above; I wouldn't think that the .243 WSSM would be that great of a cartridge upon which to base a long range target gun.
 
Message received and understood. I have read some reports about the 243 wssm being a decent long range gun. But as you mentioned, I haven't had that kind of luck with it. As a hunter, it has done it's job flawlessly. But I'll take a look at the 10 and 12. Just trying to utilize what I had, instead of just waiting a few weeks for a fresh canvas to create on. Thanks for the help. What's your thoughts on the 25-06 at those distances? It certainly has the gitty up to reach those lengths.
 
There are a dozen barrel makers and hundreds of smiths who would love to have the chance to rebarrel your Browning. Quit looking for something off the shelf and go talk to your gunsmith or one of the major barrel makers. Bartlein, Douglas, Shilen, ER Shaw, McGowen, Badger, Rock, there are too many to list, and they are waiting for your call. Call now!
 
Does anyone know of a place that would be willing to manufacture such a barrel?
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+1 for Scorch's response. Find a gunsmith that'll work on your A-Bolt, order a custom barrel and let him do the threads and chamber.
 
If it is a tack driver at 200 and shooting poorly at 500 the barrel is not the problem.

I want a long range gun, but don't want to have to buy an entirely new gun, just to start from scratch again.
Click to expand...

You'd be better off and spend less if you did just that.
 
The Browning 243 WSSM has 1/10 twist barrel and it's not the ideal twist for the LR VLD type bullets.

Most reloading manual barrels are at least 24" and Hornady data they use 1/8 twist barrel 26" long and reformed 300WSM cases.

I agree with Scorch on finding gunsmith and I would see what wait time is for a barrel. Gunsmith I use Kreiger is about year out and Bartlein 5/6 months and depending on cal could be longer also Mike Rock isn't taking orders.

You may not want to wait that long.
 
Look into what expected barrel life will be

I suspect it may make you rethink it's viability for a target rifle.
 
Lilja's webiste lists a 27" HV 1/8 for under $400. You would have to have a competant smith chamber and thread, but it seems doable.
 
What accuracy do you expect beyond 500 yards? If it's under 3/4 MOA, there's only a few barrel makes that can be counted on to do that.

With properly handloaded ammo and match bullets fed to a rifle with its receiver, locking lugs and bolt face squared up along with an epoxy bedded receiver, that level of accuracy is easy.

But the barrel life won't be much over 1000 rounds. .243 Win chambered match rifles performed as well as any in spite of not getting more than 1,500 rounds through their barrels when accuracy degraded by 50%. The WSSM version burns more powder to shoot its bullet faster. That's not important to competitors shooting other over bore capacity 26 caliber cartridges with less than 800 rounds of barrel life.

I think a set of Forster reloading dies would be best. Either one listed below:

http://www.forsterproducts.com/catalog.asp?prodid=700351&showprevnext=1

http://www.forsterproducts.com/catalog.asp?prodid=700423

Have Forster hone out the sizing die's neck to 1 or 2 thousandths less than a loaded round's neck diameter; costs $10. Turn case necks to uniform thickness to less than .001" spread. With the expander removed, it'll make resized cases with the straightest necks. And their seater die in that set is as good as custom made ones. Best accuracy will happen.
 
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