Howa 1500 to Weatherby Van II re-barrel

[d4dave1]

Okay guys, this is a simple curiosity question from a fellow with just enough knowledge on the topic to...well...ask a silly question so please don't torch me.

Could a person take a Howa 1500 in 6.5x55 and remove the barrel, then add a 240 Weatherby Mag Vanguard II barrel. My understanding is that they are the same rifle so the barrels should interchange. Then use a die to neck down the 6.5 case to accept the 240 Weatherby bullet and then simply load and fire the newly made 6.0x55? Could it possibly be that simple or is the simpleton missing something important?
Dave​

 

[rsako]

Ok..i'll bite. Assuming the barrel fits. The main issue is that the 6.5x55 case is much shorter than the 240wby. And it is a belted magnum. So the 240wby headspaces on the belt (first time fired) not the shoulder like the 6.5x55. So, you would still have to use 240wby brass because it is a completely different case for many reasons. Next, the rim diameters are 0.006" different. So, i'll bet the extractor on the bolt would not "grab" the rim of the 240wby for proper extraction. but you would have to test that before diving into this project IMHO. Nothing wrong with the 6.5 swed to start with ��

 

[prairie lover]

short answer no. the bolt face between the 2 is different I believe. and if you screw on a 240 bee barrel then its a 240 bee. the chamber stays with the barrel.

 

[d4dave1]

Uuummmm....perhaps I didn't phrase my question correctly. If...and that is capital letters IF...the barrels could interchange...then take a 6.5x55 brass and neck it DOWN to fit the bullet from a 240 Weatherby Mag. So the rifle would still have the original 6.5x55 chamber and the 240 Weatherby Mag. barrel. No need for a complete 240 Weatherby cartridge anywhere.
​

 

[redshooter]

Chamber is part of the barrel, if you want a 6mm get a barrel chambered in a 6mm cartridge that will work with your bolt face.

 

[d4dave1]

Chamber is part of the barrel, if you want a 6mm get a barrel chambered in a 6mm cartridge that will work with your bolt face.

Thanks redshooter, that is what I meant by "just enough knowledge to ask a silly question". I was not aware of that, in my small brain I always assumed (there's that word!) that the chamber was part of the action. Now my question is answered and thanks to all that tried to enlighten me.​