Barnard P 223 conversion - Anyone tried this?

S

SouthPaw700

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
105   0   0
Location
PE
This is from Barnard's website in their FAQ page.

QUESTION
Can I do a conversion to shoot a smaller sized cartridge in a larger Barnard bolt face, and use say a. 223 in a .308 boltface or a .308 in a .535” Magnum??
ANSWER
Within limits, yes.
Obviously you will replace the barrel .The extractor claw is replaced as well and you may find the extractor is better removed as reliable ejection is not always possible. And your gunsmith should be up with the feeding requirements of Barnard actions

But in the usual target shooting, benchrest and in at least some stable hunting situations the smaller case will feed and extract satisfactorily.



Just wondering if anyone has tried this. If I were to make a switch barrel rifle, could I get away with one bolt and two extractor claws and barrels?
 
Yes, you can do that.. I have been doing that with my Barnard for the last year

I shoot a cartridge which is larger than a 308 boltface, but smaller than a magnum. I use the 308 extractor in the magunum boltface. No problems, 1000 rounds and counting.
 
That's always an option, but I just figured since it actually said it was OK to do on the Barnard website, then maybe there's no need spending the money on another bolt. Sure would be easier than swapping out claws every time though. I was more just curious about it I suppose.
 
I recently e-mailed Barnard with the same question, and their answer was yes, using a .223 extractor is a .308 bolt face is doable. Their caveat was the rifle needs to be level -- for target shooting that's not a problem, hunting/tactical is a different story. While I'm only going to use the one I'll purchase for target shooting, I may buy a separate bolt anyway, just because.

-- L
 
mpwolf said:
What is involved in changing the claw?
Click to expand...

Here are the parts for the extractor, the spring goes on the small end of the pin, and the slotted part of the pin faces the extractor

BarnBolt2.jpg


To remove the existing one push the silver pin down and then gently pry the extractor forward and it should pop out.

BarnBolt4.JPG


Here it is removed..

BarnBolt3.jpg


Putting it back is easy, just use it to push the pin down, when you reach the small recess in the bolt the extractor will fall into place
 
Hey roberti11, just wondering if you have any extra 223 claws I might be able to get from you? :) I'm not worried about ejection (as my bolt has no ejector :) ), as long as this would extract OK, then I wouldn't mind getting a 223 barrel and giving it a try.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom