Gunsmithing switching calibers - same bolt- Remy 700

[CaptainH]

I am considering purchasing a used Remington 700 in 7mm Mag. I would like to use the action and rebarrel to 6.5x55. Would I be able to do this and use the existing 7mm mag action. I believe the 7mm case head diameter is 0.531 and the 6.5x55 is 0.4803. This seems close, but I would like to be sure before I purchase the rifle.

I have been looking for a used Remington 700 in 6.5x55 but I have been unable to locate one, therefore the above question.

Thank you

 

[TKellogg]

Re: switching calibers - same bolt- Remy 700

You need a different bolt to change from 7mm Mag to 6.5x55...

 

[hntbambi]

Re: switching calibers - same bolt- Remy 700

The existing bolt <span style="font-style: italic">can</span> be used but it needs to have a bushing silver soldered in then machine to the correct size for the smaller case head. Any decent 'smith should be able to do this work.

 

[dsink]

Re: switching calibers - same bolt- Remy 700

It would be alot easier to post your magnum bolt face on here and offer to trade it for an 06 bolt face.

 

[GasLight]

Re: switching calibers - same bolt- Remy 700

it would be WAY easier to pass on that rifle and find one in .30-06 or .270... The numbers sound real close, but the extractor won't pull the 6.5 case out of the action reliably if at all..

 

[chpprguy]

Re: switching calibers - same bolt- Remy 700

Sent you a pm, as I have a bolt...

 

[dsink]

Re: switching calibers - same bolt- Remy 700

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: chpprguy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sent you a pm, as I have a bolt... </div></div>

See, I told you it would be easy to swap your bolt...

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: switching calibers - same bolt- Remy 700

My approach would be different. I'd pass up the 7mag, and check out savagearms.com for a rifle that meets your actual needs. They do have a lot of great choices available.

The 6.5x55 has a nominal cartidge base diameter that's a few thou larger than the more standard .473" diameter common the .308, .30-'06, and many other popular cartridges. But my own research into domestic commercial brass for the chambering shows they appear to be drawn from standard .473" diameter cartidge banks.

This makes a Savage Long Action with any of those standard chamberings a good candidate for rebarreling wth a 6.5x55 barrel. I'd recommend Lothar-Walther for a ready to install Savage-compatible rifle barrel.

Greg

 

[Mike Casselton]

Re: switching calibers - same bolt- Remy 700

Remington made the Classic model in 6.5x55 back around 92 or 93. You might do a Rem search to find out the exact year. Once you find that out, it shouldn't be too hard to locate one using "classic" in the search line

 

[cvedrick]

Re: switching calibers - same bolt- Remy 700

Just buy a M-96, you can get a honey of a Carl Gustov for around $400 or get lucky and find one that has good barrel and action and add scope mounts, aftermarket stock etc.


Oh wait.... didn't Kimber do that a few years back? (harder to find, but still around $400 and you do not feel guilty about buggering a beautiful piece of work)

As far as using a .308 or 30-06 action, go for the 30-06, 270, 25-06 whatever, based on the 30-06 as the 6.5x55 is about 350/1000s longer than the .308