Gunsmithing Opening the bolt face

head2h2o

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 21, 2008
1,611
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Houston, TX
I want to build a 7mm WSM off of a Winchester or like action. CDNN has the FN SPR actions available in standard short action. Can the bolt face of this action be opened up to accomodate the larger bolt face of the WSM cartridge without difficulty or problems? Would I have problems loading longer rounds in this action? The bottom metal will likely be changed to CDI as I don't know of another option to being able to use the AI magazines.
 
Re: Opening the bolt face

Winchester short-action is significantly longer than the Rem 700, so is a great choice for building a .308 variant or .22-250 variant rifle. Not so sure it makes sense to buy the action and then pay for gunsmithing to turn it magnum boltface...

Better to look for a donor WSM chambered rifle on gunbroker, unless it is worth spending couple hundred $$ more to standardize on your action dimensions. Lots of WSM stainless rifles out there fairly cheap. If you own other LA or SA win 70 actions, though, maybe you stay with what you have for interchangeability. If you have LA, go with a LA magnum action and don't look back.
 
Re: Opening the bolt face

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: head2h2o</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I want to build a 7mm WSM off of a Winchester or like action. CDNN has the FN SPR actions available in standard short action. Can the bolt face of this action be opened up to accomodate the larger bolt face of the WSM cartridge without difficulty or problems? Would I have problems loading longer rounds in this action? The bottom metal will likely be changed to CDI as I don't know of another option to being able to use the AI magazines. </div></div>

There is certainly no problem opening a Winchester .480 bolt face to accomodate the WSM, but you will need to get a magnum extractor. I got a few from Williams and they work very well. You'll also have no issues feeding the WSM either. I would also recommend bushing the firing pin while you're at it.

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