Which rifle action do I buy?

[Webphut]

I inherited two stainless barrels in 280 improved 40 degrees, one stainless barrel in 243, and one stainless barrel in 257 Roberts . I have no experience in gunsmithing other than reloading 7mm rem mag ammo and cleaning my barrel after every shoot after hunting or shooting at the range. I would like to build four new rifles using these barrels. I will use them for mostly bench rest target, but maybe hunting if I feel they are adequate and the recoil is not any more than my 7mm rem mag. How do I know what actions to purchase to match these rifle barrels? I have looked on the net, but there really is not any newby/101 type articles on matching barrels to actions to triggers and so fourth.

[NapalmCheese]

You're in for a lot of learning.
As far as which action to use, the barrels will be threaded for a particular action. If you don't have any other info post some pictures here and I'm sure someone would be able to tell you.

I don't imagine you'd want to use the 257 roberts for a bench rest rifle, but it would make a dandy hunting rifle with much less recoil than your 7mm mag.

[Varg Vikernes]

Unless they are barrel blanks you'll have to mate them to whatever action they were fit to. Unless you wanna shorten the barrels.

[killshot44]

I wouldn't do a thing until I'd cleaned the barrels and looked at the bore with a borescope.

Could be good reason why they were taken off.

As for actions, a smith can measure the tenon/threads but you're 95% likely to have to have new chambers and threads cut for whatever action(s) you choose.

All but the .243 require a Long Action receiver.

[thegiff]

For each you need:
Action ($400 to $1500)
Trigger ($50 to $500)
Stock ($50 to $1400)
scope ($40 to $3000+)
Rings ($30 to $200)
Smithing ($300 or so barrel only)
Trigger guard or bottom metal ($50 to $350)

You may be able to purchase an entire rifle and have the barrel installed into it, which may or may not need inletting work for the barrel.

Prices on low side are assuming used, on high side for high-end stuff with lots of options etc.

My 2 cents, seems like the wrong way to go about building a rifle from scratch. And what if they are all used and abused barrels? Step 1 as mentioned above is to check them out. Are they good barrels, factory take-offs, or worn out? Personally I would toss them.

[ar15barrels]

I inherited two stainless barrels in 280 improved 40 degrees, one stainless barrel in 243, and one stainless barrel in 257 Roberts . I have no experience in gunsmithing other than reloading 7mm rem mag ammo and cleaning my barrel after every shoot after hunting or shooting at the range. I would like to build four new rifles using these barrels. I will use them for mostly bench rest target, but maybe hunting if I feel they are adequate and the recoil is not any more than my 7mm rem mag. How do I know what actions to purchase to match these rifle barrels? I have looked on the net, but there really is not any newby/101 type articles on matching barrels to actions to triggers and so fourth.

The only correct answer is that you buy the exact action that each barrel was originally fitted to.
I don't mean another action of the same make/model.
I am talking about THE exact action.

Why were the barrels removed from their host actions?

[NapalmCheese]

The only correct answer is that you buy the exact action that each barrel was originally fitted to.
I don't mean another action of the same make/model.
I am talking about THE exact action.

Why were the barrels removed from their host actions?

I took it to mean they were new barrels, not take offs, but that point isn't clear.

Even with a take off, couldn't you just set it back, rechamber and headspace for a different action?

[ar15barrels]

I took it to mean they were new barrels, not take offs, but that point isn't clear.

Even with a take off, couldn't you just set it back, rechamber and headspace for a different action?

He called out the chambers.
What is the likelihood that they are chambered and NOT threaded for an action?

It may be possible to use them for a different action depending on the contour.
Without ANY MORE DETAILS, the only action they work with is the one they were initially fitted to though.
Making them work with any other action would take additional work.

[russ69]

Yeah, my first question would be about the newness of the barrels. Are they new or take-off used barrels.

[Webphut]

Thank you. So when the barrels are made, they are usually 99% of the time matched to a specific action. OK. I am learning! Thank you so much. They are all threaded. They were my fathers barrels. He was an avid gunsmith/marksman. He had an appetite for custom rifles like a child in a candy store. I never had the time to keep up on what he was building next. What time I had available I just reloaded for my 7MM. Everything he shot had to be hand loaded as he was never able to find good store bought ammo.

Ok when I build a rifle once I decide the caliber, what is the sequence in which parts are purchased and what is usually purchased as a set, such as matched action and barrel? I have seen enough freefloating and glass bedding in my life, I can smell it just thinking about it, but as far as buying the items to build the gun, what must i be aware of as far as matching parts together or purchasing together at the same time?

Thank you.

[Webphut]

Ohh yeah, the barrels were still in the shipping boxes from Shilen and RE McCluskey. I bore scoped the barrels and seem pretty immaculate.

[Aeonstar]

You need to go see a gun smith. They can tell you what you need and then the smith can fit them to the receiver for you. The job of fitting a barrel to an action is not something you will be able to do. Improperly done and it could cost you your life. They are all custom fit to each action, its not that big of a deal for a smith to take care of for you.

[ar15barrels]

Ok when I build a rifle once I decide the caliber, what is the sequence in which parts are purchased and what is usually purchased as a set, such as matched action and barrel? I have seen enough freefloating and glass bedding in my life, I can smell it just thinking about it, but as far as buying the items to build the gun, what must i be aware of as far as matching parts together or purchasing together at the same time?

You generally chose the cartridge first.
The cartridge determines what length of action you need.
Then you choose the action (keeping cartridge length in mind).
The action almost always comes with a bolt.
Everything else can be chosen after that, but has to be selected to work with the action.
The "everything else" would be the barrel's breech diameter, trigger, scope base/mount, magazine/bottom metal and the stock.

[LynnJr]

All of your barrels will work with a short action.
If your father was into shooting the chamber end of the barrels will resemble a funnel.
If the chamber end looks flat or flat with a step let us know.
Do the threads look like ordinary threads or are they square looking.
If they were cut right you would only need one action as they all take a 0.473 boltface.
Can you post a picture of the threads?

[ar15barrels]

I inherited two stainless barrels in 280 improved 40 degrees

All of your barrels will work with a short action.

You must know something that I don't.



How do you fit loaded 280 improved ammo in a 2.850" long magazine box?