So, I have a 700 ADL in 30-06. I for sure am going to switch the stock to a recently acquired HS Precision stock and going to get the trigger worked on. And I definitely am going to get the action squared up and trued, blue printing I believe called.

I originally planned on changing barrels to a Shilen and rechamber it to a 25-06. Now I'm torn in that the cost is adding up. Here is what I want some thoughts on. How good is a standard ADL barrel? Will using it and getting it worked on by a good gunsmith get me a 400-500 yard gun? Or since I'm putting all this work into it I might as well get an aftermarket barrel regardless of caliber choice?

Any and all opinions are welcomed.

I shot this group with my .30-06 ADL using 180gr core-lokts. As you can see, it is a tack driver. The shot to the right was a sight in shot, and I then proceeded to put 3 into the same hole @ 100yds. That is good enough for me any day.

My question would be is how well does it shoot right now?

IMO there is no reason to pull the barrel and true the action just to put the factory tube back on, kinda cutting yourself short.

BTW if Shilen is the way you go it is highly recommended that the select match be chosen, also on that subject you might want to speak to the gunsmith that you choose some are very picky about what barrel they use.

If you do one thing, get a trigger job done. Next, go to your favorite ammo store, and buy 3-4 boxes of ammo, each different bullets and brands. Go the the range and from a steady bench with a sandbagged forend and rear sand bag, shoot a group of 4 to 5 rounds from each box. Put a few cleaning patches with solvent down the barrel between groups of different brand ammo. See what shoots the best for you. Once you have a box that shoots well, go back and buy all of those boxes you can find with the same lot #. 400 to 500 yards is not that far. Most people are limited to how far they can actually shoot because of the scope they use. They have no way to dial for come-ups (or accurately hold-over with the reticle) at further distances. So make sure you have a scope that is capable to allow you to shoot at further distances. Once you start shooting at 500, 600 yards and further, 100 yards is actually very boring. 100 yards is very important, because most shooters zero their rifles at 100 yards. Once you have that zero, the fun starts further out!

Also, I wouldn't trade a 30-06 to a 25-06. IMO, it's kind of a downgrade in caliber and bullet options. Especially if you plan to shoot further out, you'll find out the hard way that the .25 cal bllets are pretty poor on high BC bullets.

Put the stock on and get a 2lb Timney and see what happens. The trigger alone will probably help.

If you get a trigger, get the L1 from rifle basix, have three of them and I prefer them over the Timney I have.

Why? just wondering

I like timney because of the shoe is fat like me

Stock and trigger, don't worry about the action and barrel.

I like jewell triggers, but that's just me.

Honestly, personal preference, I like shoe better on the Rifle Basix how you like the shoe better on the Timney and also because I had an unbelievable customer service experience with them last week, in a very good way. Timney is a fine product, would not have bought the one I did if I did not think so, but if I had a choice I would go Rifle Basix. Its really a Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge thing in the long run.

I have a timney trigger on it already. I've already been through quite a variety of ammo before. Still the results have never been as good ad I wanted or expected. And I don't think it's me because I can shoot 1" groups at 200yds with my savage 22-250 and all it has is a stock upgrade.

Besides, I've always wanted a custom rifle to see what all the hype is about.

Btw thanks for all the input. Keep it coming.

If you are going to truly upgrade your weapon and restock, rebbl,
sqare and blueprint ect...and are limited on budget I'd reccommend Shaw Barrel Co..they do great work and turn around is
usually 5 to 6 wks...Jerry Johnson one of Bandera' local deputys
had them do a 308 w/a bull bbl ect just as you descripe and ended
up at around $400 w/a stainless bull bbl and it shoots same hole.
He got his rifle back in a little over 5 wks...and we've sent several since all with the same results..Seems like every time I've had one of my buds or a local smith do the work we are looking at a yr and around $1200 when finished..D.D.

If you are going to truly upgrade your weapon and restock, rebbl,
square and blueprint ect...and are limited on budget I'd reccommend Shaw Barrel Co..they do great work and turn around is
usually 5 to 6 wks...Jerry Johnson one of Bandera' local deputys
had them do a 308 w/a bull bbl ect just as you describe and ended
up at around $400 w/a stainless bull bbl and it shoots same hole.
He got his rifle back in a little over 5 wks...and we've sent several since all with the same results..Seems like every time I've had one of my buds or a local smith do the work we are looking at a yr and around $1200 when finished..D.D.

you reload correct ? - cause if you dont, then all the gunsmith stuff will be a waste of $$$

I'll bet money the 30-06 you have is a decent shooter, and with the right scope and ammo could easily be a 4-500 yard gun. Put in some good trigger time at the range shooting further than 100 yards, and you can find out.

Always assumed it was me, but I'm starting to think it maybe the gun. That I may have one of the crappy one.
The scope is a Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40. To all the haters, say what u will about Leupolds, but this is a nice enough glass that I don't think it's the issue either. An the mounts are nothing fancy, just standard Leupold 2 piece base and rings.

Like mentioned before, I've only recently began shooting 300+ but I do pretty well with my 22-250 and my buddy's 700 308 tactical. I just can't get this ADL to shoot as consistently as I would like. It's borderline acceptable at 100, but I expect better from it when I get past 200, where it has been the most inconsistent. I don't know what else to think because I definitely want to have confidence in my rifle. And so far I have more confidence in my marlin 30-30 with a 2-7x32 bushnell scope.

Just have the trigger worked, or replaced & have the rifle properly bedded to your HS stock. That will very likely give you the consistency you are looking for. Try different ammo, as is mentioned above, too, after working the trigger & bedding the action to your stock.

If you decide to do any more than that, get whatever new barrel your gunsmith feels most confident with.

Maybe try another scope, if it doesn't shoot well after the trigger & bedding. That Leupold is most likely just fine, though. Check the base screws too.

If it is a lemon sell it. No sense pouring money into a gun you dont have enough invested or attatched to that you could just easily replace.

Haha, I know what u mean and don't think I haven't thought about it. As much as I really didn't want a 700 at the time I bought it, I'm somewhat emotionally attached to this rifle in that it's the first rifle I ever bought. Besides, I've yet to sell a gun and I want to keep that trend going as long as I can.

Have you tried other ammunition? It's all about the load combo used- bullet, powder and the powder charge used.

I usually float and bed my rifles if they need it and always work
on the trigger..my old 1000 yd 300 Win Mag 40X had a 6oz trigger
and most of the so called rifle shooters at the gun club in Bandera wouldn't listen and had it go off on them when at the bench...couldn't keep their fingers off the trigger..But I've always advocated a 2lb trigger on my hunting guns..bad trigger work makes poor shots...But Dave gave you some good avise about
bag time...and don't forget to spend several hrs. cleaning your
weapon...I have spent days on some guys just getting the layers
of crap out....DD

I usually float and bed my rifles if they need it and always work
on the trigger..my old 1000 yd 300 Win Mag 40X had a 6oz trigger
and most of the so called rifle shooters at the gun club in Bandera wouldn't listen and had it go off on them when at the bench...couldn't keep their fingers off the trigger..But I've always advocated a 2lb trigger on my hunting guns..bad trigger work makes poor shots...But Dave gave you some good advise about
bag time...and don't forget to spend several hrs. cleaning your
weapon...I have spent days on some guys just getting the layers
of crap out....DD