Changing caliber/changing boltface

R

Redneck2

New member
Thinking of getting a 700 Rem in 7 Mag (used and a pretty good deal). I'd like to true the action and put on a target grade barrel for 1,000 yards, probably a 6.5-284.

the question...head size on a 7 Mag is .532" and .473" on the 284 (and it seems like just about everthing else). What's required to change calibers??? If it's expensive, the deal doesn't look so good.

Or, is there another caliber that would be close to the 6.5-284 (performance, accuracy, and barrel life) that would have a close enough head diameter that it would work??

Thanks in advance.
 
The bolt face on just about any rifle has to be changed when the rifle is changed to a cartridge with a different base/rim diameter. Even if no other change is needed, the extractor usually requires modification. Since the usual condition involves going to a larger base (a Model 1917 being rechambered to .308 Norma Magnum, for example), this usually involves only a little work with a lathe and a hand grinder.

But in your case, you are going down in size, and you have a Remington 700 with a recessed bolt head. The main problem is that the extractor won't work. You would probably have to get a new bolt that is already made for the smaller case head.

Obviously any cartridge with the magnum case head would work with the existing bolt. I think you are going to have to pick a cartridge and then just call around for someone who can do that work. Rebarrelling a Remington is not hard and I have seen ads for that type of truing work. But I don't think it will be cheap.

Jim
 
Looking around, there were some 6.5 mm wildcats on belted magnum brass that were smaller than the .264 Win and would give about the same ballistics as the 6.5x284. Plus the 6.5 Remington Magnum. Wonder if anybody ever chambered a long-range target rifle for any of them?
 
Actually

from a quick look the 6.5 Rem looks interesting. If "short & fat is where it's at" (lucky for me as I look in the mirror), then the 6.5 may be the ticket.

Only compartision I have is Cartridges of the World, and it doesn't give dimensions on the 6.5 Rem Mag. They appear similar.

Anyone have input??
 
Normally I'm going the other way when changing a bolt face. But if you go with a Sako style extractor you won't need to change the bolt. The bolt is bushed, the bushing opened to accept whatever case head and then the extractor installed. That would be your least expensive, and in my mind, best option. George
 
Jim may have found the answer...

looking at Lyman's 47th, the 6.5 Rem Mag is almost a twin to the 284 Winnie. Identical case length, nearly identical diameter. Perhaps slightly greater case capacity for the Rem. The 6.5 Rem should be a little easier on barrels than the .264 Win and less finicky

And the Rem still has that way cool belt.....well, maybe not so cool but I can live with it

I can just see it now...whackin' them prarie rats at 1/2 a mile, one after another...

OK, lobbing bullets one after another...
 
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