Wilson Combat has announced a new line of match-grade replacement barrels specifically designed for Remington 700 pattern actions, catering to precision rifle shooters seeking an upgrade. The initial release includes popular calibers for competitive shooting, focusing on established specifications for optimal performance.
Available immediately are a 20-inch .308 Winchester barrel with a 1:10-inch twist rate, alongside 6.5 Creedmoor options in both 20-inch and 22-inch lengths, each featuring a 1:8-inch twist. These twist rates are established choices for stabilizing the heavier match bullets favored by competitors in disciplines like PRS and NRL, ensuring consistent ballistics at long range.
Crafted from 416R stainless steel, a material long recognized as a premier choice for precision rifle barrels, each Wilson Combat barrel undergoes a meticulous manufacturing process. Barrelmakers employ button rifling to form the grooves. A critical aspect of their production is a double stress-relief process: once at the mill and again after rifling. This secondary stress relief is particularly important as the rifling process itself can introduce internal stresses. Mitigating these stresses is designed to help maintain bore integrity and contribute to consistent point of impact during extended firing sequences, a key consideration for match reliability.
A significant feature for many shooters is the contour. From the shank forward, these barrels follow Remington’s factory contour. This design choice means the barrels are intended to drop directly into existing stocks or chassis systems, as well as aftermarket synthetic stocks or walnut blanks cut to the same profile, without requiring additional inletting. For those contemplating an upgrade, this aspect can simplify the build process. However, these are not a home bench project; Wilson Combat chambers the barrels but leaves them ready for final headspacing, necessitating professional installation by a gunsmith.
At the muzzle, each barrel is threaded 5/8x24, ready to accept a suppressor, muzzle brake, or flash hider. The muzzle is finished with a recessed crown, a design choice that helps protect the critical edge of the bore from accidental damage. Wilson Combat engraves the caliber, twist rate, and company eagle on the flared muzzle. Shooters have a choice of finishes: a standard belt-polished satin, or Wilson’s Armor-Tuff coating, which offers enhanced durability and reduced reflectivity for field use.
The new match-grade barrels are available now through Wilson Combat and authorized dealers with an MSRP of $399.95. The company has also announced that .25 Creedmoor and .22 Creedmoor versions are slated for release soon, indicating an expansion of the line into other popular competitive cartridges.
