Can this be done?

[DalesCarpentry]

I started a thread over at the Remington forum. It had to do with a 1,000 yard rifle. I would like to someday shoot 1,000 yards at a range. I really have no plans to or want to even try to take any game at that range. It would be fun to punch some holes in paper at that range just to say I can do and do it well. I originally was talking about building such a rifle some day to do this. I have a very accurate Remington 700 SPS 243 Varmint with the 26'' barrel. Not to long ago I shot a three group that measured 3/4'' at 300 yards. The first two were touching and the third opened it up to 3/4''. Someone over there mentioned about my 243 and said maybe I could use it. The more I looked into it the more I figured the 243 was not the round for such a task. Then I got to thinking about the 243 Super Short Magnum. I looked up the ballistics and it shoots 102'' flatter than the 243 at 1,000 yards. That is pretty close with the ballistics of the 300 Win Mag as far as bullet drop goes. So here is my question. Could my 700 SPS be converted to a 243 SSM? ( I know it is not the ideal 1,000 yard rifle ) If so is it hard to do or expensive? If it were to only cost $200.00 or $300 it would be worth it. I would have a 1,000 yard rifle and my groundhog gun in one package. Thanks Dale

[gunnut69]

It likely could be done but would require more than 200-300 to do right. 

[DalesCarpentry]

Thanks Gunnut69. If it were to cost much more than $300.00 I would be better off buying a new SPS 300 Win Mag or a 300 Ultra Mag.  Dale

[gunnut69]

The problem is the bolt face. Opening the face in a 700 requires replacing the extractor. Often this is done by installing an M15/Sako style extractor. This works but eliminates the gas seal system of the rifle and since the actions gas handling characteristics depend on the '3 rings of steel' it is not the greatest idea. The 300 WinMag has a following as a long range competitor and would likely be my choice. If the rifle is available in the 7mm RemMag that may be a better choice. It will produce great exterior ballistics with a smidgen less recoil.. The great Sierra match bullets should serve admirably in either case..

[Nobade]

Why not just rebarrel it with a 7 twist barrel in 243 or 243 AI and shoot 107 Matchkings or the David Tubb bullets at 1000 yards? Put it in a good benchrest stock like an MBR Tooley, good trigger, good scope and mounts, and go shoot some tiny groups? You're certainly not going to gain anything going to a magnum, other than lower barrel life and less accuracy.

[Hairtrigger]

There is lots of good information in Varmint Hunter magazine.
Those guys shoot at PD's well past 1000 yrds.
So far it is a disease that I do not have.