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Savage 30-06 to 6.5x55 Swede
Late-Bloomer
Member Posts: 249 ✭✭✭
I'm looking to determine if this conversion is practical, economically speaking...
The Savage 30-06 rifle is only 3 months old, fired 80 rounds through it at the range and is sub-MOA @ 100 yds. and I'm "bored" with it already shooting itty-bitty groups.
I already have another 30-06 rifle, so I'm entertaining the thought of a conversion to the 6.5x55 Swede which is another favorite cartridge of mine.
Any comments as to what this work might entail and its related costs would be greatly appreciated!
If, its not feasible, I'll just sell/trade for a new short-action Savage 7mm-08, as either cartridge would fit the bill.
Will be hunting deer, sheep, & goats at 150 yds on average, with a 200 yd. maximum. [8D]
The Savage 30-06 rifle is only 3 months old, fired 80 rounds through it at the range and is sub-MOA @ 100 yds. and I'm "bored" with it already shooting itty-bitty groups.
I already have another 30-06 rifle, so I'm entertaining the thought of a conversion to the 6.5x55 Swede which is another favorite cartridge of mine.
Any comments as to what this work might entail and its related costs would be greatly appreciated!
If, its not feasible, I'll just sell/trade for a new short-action Savage 7mm-08, as either cartridge would fit the bill.
Will be hunting deer, sheep, & goats at 150 yds on average, with a 200 yd. maximum. [8D]
Comments
where are you going to sheep and goats at 150 to 200 yards?
You have chosen wisely,..the 6.5X55 is a wicked round and as accurate as anything going. I use an Ackley Improved version for benchrest matches.
If you have an 06' already, the rebarrel it. But!!!!!....buy a quality barrel and have it installed by a gunsmith that has experience with min spec chambers. You will have a fine shooting rifle that takes out game with much more authority than one would normaly afford a cartridge of such dimensions. It is a great round.
Go with a 1:8 twsit tube so you can run the full spectrum of bullet weights available for this bore dia.[;)]
It's perfectly feasible. The Savage rifles are made to do exactly what you are asking, switch barrels. You can also switch boltheads, bolt handles and stocks. Savage is maintaining their level of quality, too.
The 6.5 Swede is a terrific cartridge that can handle the entire range of bullets that is available for the .264 caliber cartridges. It's known for accuracy and reasonably mild recoil. I shoot the standard 6.5 x 55 for both long range target and hunting.
Go for it!
Best.
Thanks a bunch as usual!!! [8D]
Could you recommend a Brand Name barrel and type of barrel I should be interested in.
I know you mentioned the 1:8 Rate of Twist, but I hear about contours, etc., etc. when people talk about re-barreling; what is meant by all of this "contour" stuff??? Weight??? I wouldn't mind a slightly heavier barrel than the one I currently have on, it would give me more stability for off-hand shots,IMO.
What should I be looking for, this is just a regular hunting rifle, what type of contour should I be considering???
FYI I have the Savage Hunter Series 111FHNS Model Rifle.
BTW I am Super-stoked that this conversion is a go, [:D] [:D] [:D]
Also, I am planning on reloading in the near future but for the the time-being I've been shooting the PMC Brand ammo in my CZ 550FS 6.5x55 Swede and all are going into one ragged hole pretty consistently. When referring to a standard 6.5x55 and the 6.5x55 Swede, would the bolt-face be different; I don't understand, or are they one in the same, please explain? I want to use the same ammo for both rifles. My CZ is too pretty to get knocked around in the field, hence the Savage conversion!!!
Thanks!
First things first:
The standard 6.5 x 55 and the 6.5 x 55 Swede are one and the same, merely a different way of naming the same cartridge. My reference to the 'standard' was as a comparison to what JustC mentioned about his 'Ackley Improved' version.
The other difference that JustC mentioned was for the rim size. The European rim size for the Swede is 0.480" in diameter while the American rim size for the Swede is .0473" in diameter. Now that doesn't seem like much but the European rims are that tiny bit too big to fit in the standard American boltface. So the solution is to use American made cases. If you want to use the larger rims then have your gunsmith open the boltface slightly. Measure your PMC ammunition to see what size they use.
I would use any of the top barrel makers. Here is a list to use for visiting their websites:
http://sst.benchrest.com/#barrels
Most barrel makers offer pre-threaded barrels for the Savage rifles. Some even offer pre-threaded and chambered, finished barrels that you merely have to thread on and headspace. The alternative is to order a barrel from a maker and have your gunsmith do the threading, chambering and crown.
The contour refers to the outside shape and diameters. There are charts for each manufacturer that lists out the dimensions and give generic drawings of the shape. If you're going to keep the existing stock, the forearm width will determine what the largest contour will be. Work with your 'smith or look at the link below and measure the stock as compared to the contour dimensions on the lists.
This is a quick synopsis of contours from Midway's website:
barrel contours
Reloading for the 6.5 x 55 Swede is a great idea. There's lots of data to work with and it's fairly simple to develop good loads for specific uses.
All in all, it's a terrific project for learning with lots of potential for the best outcome.
Best.
Personally, I would test some dummy rounds for feeding into the chamber before you rebarrel. DON'T bring it up to where it locks, just enough to get the round pointed into the chamber.
If it doesn't feed right you may think about a .260 Rem. About the same ballistics as the 6.5x55. But it would be something you would need to segregate brass out for.
If it does feed okay then go for it and good luck with the project. I personally like shilen Barrels, but Hart, Krieger, Obermeier, Lilja, Pac-Nor and many others produce very good barrels as well.
It's not the 'fly in the ointment' you think it might be. That's why I suggested using a gunsmith.
The magazine will have to be blocked slightly from the rear and that will move the geometry forward some and while the 6.5 has some body taper so does the -06' in the case and the shoulder. It shouldn't take a lot to resolve the issue if anything at all. Besides, the length of the 6.5 bullets will be an aid also.
Which brings up another point...
Late-Bloomer,
Make sure that your gunsmith uses the Norma reamer specs for the chamber. It's similar to the older military chambers with a longer throat to accommodate the longer 6.5 bullets.
Best.
Awesome info. & thanks for clarifying; standard vs. AI, I understand it now!
The links you provided have helped me understand alot more about the process!
The Shilen web-site features a new drop-in barrel in a 22" sporter weight 6.5x55 for Savage Rifle enthusiast that should fit in stock with no modifications.
Per web-site, screw in & use a headspace gauge for optimal performance. I'll have a 'smith do all of this, then when I do reload for this rifle I'll re-adjust headspace if necessary due to load development and seat off lands. Does this sound about right???
Thanks, a bunch again! [:D]
Which brings up another point...
Late-Bloomer,
Make sure that your gunsmith uses the Norma reamer specs for the chamber. It's similar to the older military chambers with a longer throat to accommodate the longer 6.5 bullets.
Best.
I guess I need to check with Shilen or is that pretty standard???
Thanks for the caution, I appreciate it.
I'm getting to understand this whole conversion thing alot more clearly, especially after nononsense addressed this issue!
You also mentioned about trying a dummy round to see if it would feed without closing the bolt completely.
I don't have a dummy round but I do have more of those PMC 6.5x55 ammo around. I'm going to the range today, wouldn't it be safe if I carefully tried a live round without closing the bolt all the way to see if it feeds properly???
Again thanks a bunch you guys, I'm a happy man this morning, I love this cartridge and it will definitely fit the bill for its intended purpose. [:D] [:D] [:D]