7mm rem mag to 338 win mag

[Number7]

I have no gun smithing experience. But with these two cartridges being almost identical except for the bullet caliber, what would be needed to be done to a rifle to make a 7mm rem mag into a 338 win mag. Would just changing a barrel be enough. What other work would be need to the rifle? Some would say just buy a 338. But, I am left handed and a lefty in 338 isn’t common. Would it be worth it?

[fatboyz]

Both cartridges are magnum bolt face so you would need a 338 barrel and get a gunsmith to chamber and install the barrel. Currently barrel blanks are running about $550+ depending on what you get and chambering and install is around 250. That doesn’t include a brake if you want one and then the extra cost to thread the muzzle.

[Pathfinder76]

A barrel swap is it. In fact, if my 338 could read head stamps on brass it would think it was a 7mm RM.

[-JR-]

I only have 2 big game rifles . I started with the 338 so I could hunt general grizzlies in the 80s Then 5 years later they introduced stainless rifles with composite stocks ,so I bought one in 7 mag for sheep hunting,because it was much lighter also and that it would hold up better when it rains and had some punch in case i ran into a grizzly .
So now when I go on my one week moose hunting trip way up north I carry my 7 mag all day because its lighter and its an all weather gun . It does everything my 338 mag does . I do bring the 338 mag along with me just for my back up gun incase I drop the 7 and break the scope .
The 7 mag i shoot 175 grain with pointed bullets for deer , and for moose hunts i shoot the 175 rounded nose bullets . They both shot the same spot on paper when at the range .

Not sure why you would want to switch to a 338 mag unless you do a lot of bear hunting and looking for that monster bear , or hunt moose where you walk in grizzly tracks every day.

[Number7]

Thanks for the info. This isn’t a need, it’s a want. I have a 7mm-08, 30-06 and a 7mm rem mag already. I want a 338 win mag, but in left hand bolts they are not very common. So, just thinking about getting another 7mm and rebarreling it to a 338 win mag; this may be an option. If it is possible and reasonable affordable. This is what I may have to do. Just a note I have shot a 338 win mag a few times and loved it. Wasn’t bothered by the recoil.

[CanuckShooter]

Probably $1500 to re-barrel these days, plus carbon tax.

[MountainTi]

Keep the 7 and buy a .338 as well

[waldedw]

Originally Posted by MountainTi

Keep the 7 and buy a .338 as well

This ^^^^^^