Take off Barrels

R

reynolds357

New member
Anyone ever use take off barrels?
I am about to build some rifles using them. They all came off new Remington 700's. Stainless steel barrels. My current project is another 7 RUM and another .270 WSM. $49 each is cheap enough. When I find another couple of actions at the right price I plan on building a .300 WSM and a .300 RUM.
 
Quite a few, actually. Some new(test fired at factory) and some used just because the rifle's owner wanted something different. I haven't been dissatisfied in any of the ones I'm using. Some I installed myself and some I had a "professional" install. Not much noticeable difference in performance.
 
I've tried a couple of times with Savage barrels but they were never exactly what I wanted so I don't use them very often. I didn't have any problems with them, I just really don't like the Savage contour options most of the time.
 
Not that this would be particularly useful, but I've got an interesting anecdote regarding takeoff barrels.

Several years ago, I decided to re-barrel my old Yugo M48 Mauser, which I had already made over into a sporter. I decided to stick with 8mm Mauser. While looking for a good barrel, I happened across takeoff M48 barrels for sale at Numrich, for a terrific price ($28). I had almost decided on a Lothar Walther, but Numrich claimed that these takeoffs were in great condition. So, I decided to give them a look. Already fully chambered and made for the rifle specifically... so a simple prospect for a replacement. Heck, for $28, plus a small shipping charge, why not ?

What I received was basically a brand new, 50 plus year old barrel ! This barrel, sold as a "takeoff", had obviously never been mounted on a rifle. It was clearly a SPARE, UNUSED barrel. It had all of the proof marks, but none of the assembly numbers that the Yugoslavs always added, before final assembly. It was lightly coated (inside and out) in cosmoline. When cleaned, it was PRISTINE.

This 50 year old, spare military barrel has been wonderful. Accurate as can be, with my hand loads. Obviously, installation was easy (after the chore of getting the old barrel off). For a little over $28.....what a bargain !
 
With luck a takeoff barrel will go right on, draw up and headspace properly, and give fine service. With bad luck, it will need a lot of work, possibly even being set back one turn and the chamber re-cut, which might not matter too much on a bolt action but could be totally unfeasible with a rifle like the M1 (Garand).

Using take off barrels is something of a crap shoot, but sometimes you win.

Jim
 
I have several rifles with them... most bought at the local gun smith shop ( Ahlman's ) where I hand chose them off the rack, most times I was re-chambering anyway... I did buy one out of Shotgun News, a 7 Rem Mag Remy 700 barrel in stainless, that I re-chambered to 7 X 57, & couldn't be happier...

I do prefer to hand pick off the rack, instead of buy sight unseen, though I'm batting 100% in the one I did buy
 
These barrels are brand new barrels from factory test fired 700's. Nothing wrong with them. As far as setting back and re-cutting chamber, its not a problem at all if I have to. Actually, two will have to be rethreaded, they are going on Winchester actions. I never have good enough luck for anything to just screw on and work.:(
 
Why not??

As long as "factory rifle" accuracy is satisfactory. It's obvious you're not seeking match-grade barrel performance. My personal take from only a couple of 700's has been hit- and miss. One was a tack driver, the other not so much...

Of course, it's impossible to isolate accuracy inconsistencies to the barrel as it could be any combination of that, the stock, and the action.
 
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