Barrel reaming question - NEF Handi Rifle - .243 to 6.5x55
- Thread starter ryanloco
- Start date
If they were the same bullet diameter and the cartridge you were going to had a longer, wider case then it would likely be possible to just cut a new chamber, but I don't think you'll be able to increase the bore diameter from 6mm to 6.5mm without a new barrel.
Possible, but not nearly as inexpensive as buying a new barrel, or, in the case of the HandiRifle, a whole new gun to start with.
I priced out a rebore on a barrel, and it was about the same cost as a barrel from the same maker, and the grand total of a guarantee of success was effectively "cash up front, no guarantee".
A .243 is equal to a 6 mm. You will need to find someone that will ream out the barrel, accurately, and recut rifling appropriate for the 6.5x55 cartridge's bullet.
Any .257 bores available in the NEF? With a really fast twist to shoot the long bullets that are usually loaded? If so, they would be a better starting point.
Edit: My bad. Looks like you need a .264 barrel for a 6.5x55. A longshot possible would be to have a smith use the remains of the fitted barrel as a sleeve to sweat a Swede take-off barrel to make it mate up. Whether any of them WOULD, on the other hand, may be the obstacle.
Not telling you it can't be done, but really, how much are you willing to spend on something like this?
Cheers
Trev
I priced out a rebore on a barrel, and it was about the same cost as a barrel from the same maker, and the grand total of a guarantee of success was effectively "cash up front, no guarantee".
A .243 is equal to a 6 mm. You will need to find someone that will ream out the barrel, accurately, and recut rifling appropriate for the 6.5x55 cartridge's bullet.
Any .257 bores available in the NEF? With a really fast twist to shoot the long bullets that are usually loaded? If so, they would be a better starting point.
Edit: My bad. Looks like you need a .264 barrel for a 6.5x55. A longshot possible would be to have a smith use the remains of the fitted barrel as a sleeve to sweat a Swede take-off barrel to make it mate up. Whether any of them WOULD, on the other hand, may be the obstacle.
Not telling you it can't be done, but really, how much are you willing to spend on something like this?
Cheers
Trev
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Thanks all...
I like the concept of swapping barrels on a single shot platform and would love to get something in the 6.5x55...
Interesting note - just googled the TC Encore and I think they make a 6.5x55 barrel... This may be the answer to my obsession with the Swede and the smokepole...
I like the concept of swapping barrels on a single shot platform and would love to get something in the 6.5x55...
Interesting note - just googled the TC Encore and I think they make a 6.5x55 barrel... This may be the answer to my obsession with the Swede and the smokepole...
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Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
I imagine rebarrelling and chambering to 260 rem would be the easiest conversion here. 6.5x55 and .243 dont' have the same Bolt face (correct me if Im wrong). Less changes if you working from the same case family.
It's a NEF Handi Rifle.
Break open single shot.
ryanloco,
If you have not looked at it yet, there is a lot of great info to be found on the site linked to in the thread about the trigger job on one of these. One of the "projects" in the site, shows a DIY (OK, if you have some machine tools) barrel swap by boring out the factory barrel and sliding a different one in, retained by a nut.
Worth a look. A really good 6.5 take-off should not be too hard to find.
Cheers
Trev
Break open single shot.
ryanloco,
If you have not looked at it yet, there is a lot of great info to be found on the site linked to in the thread about the trigger job on one of these. One of the "projects" in the site, shows a DIY (OK, if you have some machine tools) barrel swap by boring out the factory barrel and sliding a different one in, retained by a nut.
Worth a look. A really good 6.5 take-off should not be too hard to find.
Cheers
Trev
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
right, I stand corrected then.
