Happy with Ilion barrel service

[towpro]

Ilion received my Buffalo Classic on July 25th.  They checked it in one week later.
Tomorrow would have been 5 weeks since they receive it. Today I got it back.

I sent my BC into the old shop just before it closed because the action kept coming open.  While it was there I had a 22-250 fluted bull barrel installed.

The new barrel was so loose it rattled when you carried it, and the trigger was so hard to pull I could not even hold the rifle on target from a bench rest.  I called remington who mailed me a UPS tag so I could return the receiver and 22-250 barrel for free.

I received it back today.  22-250 barrel fits great!  Original barrel fits great!  Trigger feels much better! No damage to gun!  shipping box was just like the NEF box I got it in new (only shorter) but this time it had an extra piece of cardboard around the thing with 4 plastic straps. Gun was shot, but dirty (just like every gun I have ever bought).

Paper work only said "refit barrel and forend, test".   I have no way of knowing if it is the original 22-250 barrel or not. Nothing about trigger work on the paperwork, but it is definitely 100% better. I have a feeling that they put something back together wrong the last trip to the shop and fixed it this trip.  I have not shot the 45-70 barrel since I got it back from the first "fix".  the 22-250 barrel was also coming unlatched at times, we will see what happens this weekend. 

Anyway, I am happy.  From the results I have just received, I would not hesitate to buy another accessory barrel from them.

[Singleshotsam]

Glad to see another happy customer 

[dpe.ahoy]

Nice to hear some positive response!   DP

[stimpylu32]

Very glad to hear that , sounds like the first baby steps after the crawling stage . 

stimpy

You know that a range report is a must now . 

[lonewolf5348]

Good to hear it went A O.K.

[petemi]

Yeah, Amen!  It is great to hear some good news for a change.

[towpro]

Very glad to hear that , sounds like the first baby steps after the crawling stage . 

stimpy

You know that a range report is a must now . 

The report should be interesting because I am loading up Gas checked cast boolits from a special order mold I got from midsouth for the 22-250 barrel. 

You see, I can't do anything normal 

[murphdog]

I'm very glad to see your report.  I am still waiting to get my gun back from Ilion, and with the recent negative reports I was beginning to worry.  I figured (hoped) Ilion was probably getting some fixed right, and we were just hearing about a few bad mistakes.  People are always more likely to report bad news than good news.  Thanks for taking the time to give us your positive report.  You've given me hope. 
Duane

[kgarner]

I am glad to hear it as i am going to order a new barrel.

[quickdtoo]

Thanks for the report, that's good to know and will help build some faith in the new H&R and Remington. 

Tim

[Spanky]

Good for you!!
Looks like things are getting better!!



Spanky

[shaner]

glad for ya man !!! hope they keep up the good work , a few emails or letter to them when things go right  sure wouldnt hurt  you know?

[Swampman]

No suprise here, I knew Remington would come through.  Pics and a range report would be nice!!

[towpro]

I forgot to ask.  Now there is a P stamped on the bottom of the receiver, towards the front, just under the hinge pin.  What do you think that means?  Not 100% sure if it was stamped on this trip to the fixer or last trip.

[Swampman]

I'm pretty sure that's a Remington proof mark.

[towpro]

You know that a range report is a must now . 

Range report?  Wish I had better news.  Before getting the barrel tightened up,  I was getting 16" groups at 100 yards with Winchester 55g jacketed in front of different loads.  reminded me of a shotgun target.
Great varmint gun, if your the varmint 

This trip I loaded Cast 52 grain gas checked in front of different loads. Same 16" pattern.  I mean it's all over the target.  So while I was at Cabelas (looking for a bolt gun) I bought another 100 jacked 55 grain.
If I can't get those to shoot I am giving up.  The 45-70 shots great.
I also tried with forend removed, as well as someone else shooting, same results.

this was all from a bench, with a cadwel bag under the receiver (not under the barrel).  When my buddy shot it he was using a gun vice, again supported around the hinge pin.

[Swampman]

I'd shoot a box of Remington factory ammo through it.  Cast bullets in the .22-250 seem unlikely to give good results.  The bag should be under the hinge pin.

[striker525]

Well I just sent my frame and stock in to them for a 12ga slug barrel fitting Hopefully my results are the same. I would be very upset if they screw it up.

[OBXPilgrim]

...  Now there is a P stamped on the bottom of the receiver, towards the front, just under the hinge pin.  What do you think that means?  ....

That means you got charged $15  for the "Service 4000117 GR-Proof"  (and/or $15 more for "Service 4000466 HR-Test").

For all ya'll that don't know what I'm talking about, I got a Remington Arms Company, Inc "Quotation/Estimating Report" for the accessory barrels that I sent my receiver in for on JUNE 18th, 2008.  Those two "Services" listed above are two of the items on the "Quotation/Estimating Report".

Guess they dug it out of the crap pile they'd thrown it in and decided they'd work on it.  I've called a half dozen times, get the same old jerk around, "I'll be at least two more weeks".  And now this.   

The Muzzleloader barrel I asked for went from $113 (SS/26") to $101 (SS/24" - didn't want the 24"), nice price drop, huh?           The forend/ramrod came with the $113 price (and primer carriers), now they are charging me $1.65 for "Stud Front Swivel ST" (FM02863 - item number), $1.65 for "Spring Ramrod Retain" (FM02864), $22.50 for Fore-end Muz LDR WLNT" (asked for Synthetic)(FM02865), and $14.95 for "Ramrod ASSB 1 BLK" (FM03262).  So now, counting the stuff that came with the ML barrel & STILL LISTED ON THE WEBSITE, it's going to cost $141.75!!  Oh, and there's also "H&R Parts - ML Kit#1 (FHRMLK) for $1 - must be the primer carrier/wrench.  Please don't give me some BS about the website prices are old - they have the new Ilion address on the website.  If they can fix the address, they can fix the damn prces.

I've defended H&R and recommended them to plenty of other folks over the years - screw Remington  - this is last dealing I'm having with them.

[Swampman]

Your loss!

[OBXPilgrim]

Not just my loss, Swampman

Owner of:
Rem 11-87 Skeet 12 ga
Rem 870 Sportsman 12 ga
Rem 1100 20 ga
Rem 870 express 20 ga youth
Rem 541-T HB

Last money going to Remington on this deal..

Too many other gun makers around to mess around with this crap.

[towpro]

That means you got charged $15  for the "Service 4000117 GR-Proof"  (and/or $15 more for "Service 4000466 HR-Test").

I didn't get charged anything.  This was a repair for a barrel installed loose 2 months ago by the old factory.  Remington even sent a UPS call tag so I could ship it.

PS:  I just bought a Weatherby Vanguard Varmint Special (I know it's made by Howa) in .308 over a Remington 700.

[Swampman]

My friend bought a new Howa in .308 about 6 months ago.  He still can't get it to group.  Good luck!

[OBXPilgrim]

Well, I guess Remington got tired of listening to me bitch about their undocumented price increases.  They dropped the GR-Proof & HR-test charges.  Also, the ML price is going to be prior to the price increase.  Guess they will get my money one more time (at least).

I bet it doesn't make it back by Sept 18th! That will make it being there for 3 months!!

88 days and counting.

[petemi]

For the life of me I could not understand how H&R/NEF could service things and ship them back in this day and age for the money they charged.  It cost me a lot more to send a rifle to them, insured, than they charged me to send it back.  I guess, Remington is going to turn that around and stop loosing money on it, and they are going to charge for out of warranty gunsmith services.

Since this Spring, a lot of people at Remington are trying to get comfortable with their new jobs.  If some of us had thought about it, we would have known there was going to be a transition period and perhaps CS or repair, or manufacturing would be lagging.  I did not order, return, or send anything in for repair during this period.  I just now ordered some parts and had excellent CS.  And, they charged for one thing they hadn't under NEF.  It is a transition from the old to the new.  Perhaps it is a sad testament to our times that a business can't survive on a promise and a handshake.

[towpro]

For the life of me I could not understand how H&R/NEF could service things and ship them back in this day and age for the money they charged.  It cost me a lot more to send a rifle to them, insured, than they charged me to send it back. 

They get better pricing on shipping because of the volume of stuff they ship.  and I think they were passing on the savings. 

My buddy has a business where he ships about a skid of stuff every day (most international).  I had to ship a 50 lb box that was odd shaped to someone.  the UPS store wanted $52.00.  he shipped it through UPS for $18.00.

It's amazing what the way the shipping companies do to hang onto customers like this.  One gave him a free shipping computer, scale and laser printer ($2500), another is always taking him golfing and sending him to dinner, etc.

[JonnyC]

My friend bought a new Howa in .308 about 6 months ago.  He still can't get it to group.  Good luck!

I have a Vanguard and it shoots very well out to 300 yds. I haven't tried it at any farther distance.

[OBXPilgrim]

88 days and counting.

91 days and counting

[Swampman]

"I have a Vanguard"

I'm sorry!

[OBXPilgrim]

88 days and counting.

91 days and counting

94 days and counting.

You think it will make it here for opening day of Muzzleloading Deer Season - Oct 13th (2008)?