Rechamber 7x57 to 280?

[curiousgb]

I have a Ruger #1A in 7x57. It is a nice little rifle but it has never shot very well and trust me I have tried everything. It has a Very long throat, so seating bullets anywhere close to the lands is impossible. I have been thinking of either rebarreling it or having it rechambered to 280. Any thoughts?

[Luckyducker]

CGB, the only way I see to rechamber this rifle to 280 would be to set the barrel back some if possible, however, it can be rechambered for the 284Win with just reaming the present chamber with no set-back.  I am not a gunsmith but I think my facts are sound based on cartridge dimensions.  Hope this helps.

[gunnut69]

Not having any info here just now I'm working from memory,, Now that's a scary thing.. I believe the should would leave a 'bump' on the chamber that would not be cleaned up by the 280 reamer without setting the barrel back a thread. Re-chambering to a straighter walled case such as a 280 AI would be better but would still require cutting a thread off. Best bet would be to sell the 7x57 and buy a 280. Next best would be a simple re-barrel.. It's been my observation from around a dozen and a half No.1's that poor accuracy is a barrel function with the long chambers only minor annoyances. Just one further thought, have you tried the 175 grain bullets that the long throat was put there for? Further in some barrels there are twist rate variations between the 7x57 and the 280..

[yooper77]

Yes, the 7x57 Mauser can be re-chambered into the 280 Remington.  The barrel would have to be taking off anyway for the re-chamber job.  A re-chamber job most likely will not fix an inaccurate rifle.  I would shop around for a replacement Ruger #1 or good bolt action in 270 Winchester or 30-06 Springfied which ammo is more available than the 280 Remington.

Thank you,
yooper77

[Rangr44]

I would never do it.

7x57 Ruger #1's are in high demand on today's market.
Rechambered ones are a drag on the market.

If you sold it, you could most likely make a handsome profit over whatever you paid, whenever - and buy a #1 in .280 or some other fine/satisfactory caliber.

[charles p]

Why couldn't a 7X57 be rechambered to 280?  Which dimension is the problem?  I have no idea, just curious.

[Rangr44]

BTW - Most 7x57 barrels are rifled with a 1 turn in 8.6" twist, while .280's are usually rifled slower, like 1 in 12".
That makes a difference, in what bullets work well.

[yooper77]

The 7x57 in the Ruger No 1, 1-A is 1 in 8 3/4" rifling twist rate.

The 280 Remington is anywhere from 1 in 9 1/4" to 1 in 10" rifling twist rate.

The rifling twist rate isn't a problem, just need to find a load that works for you.

You can re-chamber it, there are no dimension problems.  I wouldn't but it isnt my rifle.

Check out http://www.sskindustries.com/rifle.htm for Ruger No 1 re-chambering or re-barreling.  These are about the only people I would trust with a Ruger No 1.

yooper77

[Stonewall2]

Simple answer to this  -Just send this rifle to Ruger and have them replace that barrel in the same caliber.

Glenn

[SharonAnne]

I agree with returning the rifle to Ruger. Tell them what is happening and ask them to correct it. IF it needs to be rebarreled they will do it.