Re-barrel to which Cartridge? PLS read spiel first..

[Ron AKA]

Just throwing this out there, as I am more of a tinkerer than any kind of expert, but I think that one of the issues with the WSSM brass is that it is thick in the case neck. My 223wssm brass is 0.021" thick where most of my other cases run 0.010 - 0.013". It makes me wonder if getting the correct neck tension is difficult, and if annealing is more critical. The brass is also hard to run over a sizer button (annealed or not), which may also lead to cases slightly out of spec. If I was setting up a rifle where accuracy is the #1 priority I would go with a neck turn and turn the cases down to a more normal thickness, and use bushing sizing dies.

Thanks for the comments. Yes, my Lapua brass is about 0.013" thick in the neck, so 0.021" is thick. Neck turn would probably be the ideal way, but I look forward to neck turning like a root canal at the dentist. Also, trying to avoid the custom reamer route, so it may come down to what reamers are out there. To some degree you can improve the neck tension issue by using a bushing sizer to get the ID just slightly undersized, and then open it up with an over sized (0.2640") expander ball. But, if thickness is highly variable or not concentric then it starts to get difficult.

 

[Ron AKA]

Well the count currently is:

6.5 WSSM - 12
6.5 RM - 5
25 WSSM - 3

Looks like I should go with the consensus. Will check into the 6.5 WSSM further. The only real nagging issue I can see is the bullet seater die.

Thanks for all the input,

 

[8 ball]

You WILL have very real issues with trying to feed the above rounds out of your gun without doing a huge amount of work to the mag boxes and feed rails. If you are really set on a 6.5 WSM ( Which is a good round by the way) you will be way farther ahead in the long run to sell the current rifle and pick up something that is built around the WSM already. If you are set on keeping the current action I would strongly suggest a 257 Weatherby, 264 Win Mag, or 7mm Rem mag. Good luck with the project.

 

[PEI ROB]

Trade the bolt on the EE

 

[Ron AKA]

Thanks for the suggestions, but the gun has sentimental value and will not be sold. Also no interest in another big boomer. I still have a .264WM in a Browning Mauser Safari, and that is enough in that department. Also no interest in another barrel burner like the .257 Weatherby. I've burned up two barrels already.

 

[PEI ROB]

I meant just the bolt, not the whole rifle. Trading would be the cost of shipping.
With a long action bolt, non mag, you can go 25-06, 270 etc etc. I would check on feeding though, I believe the mag actions are different but I'm not a 700 fan so cannot answer this issue.

 

[8 ball]

Bolt is not the problem. The problem is getting them to feed out of the existing mag box and feed rails. Edited :Sorry, I see you were talking about different calibers.


To the OP; Anything can be done with enough time and or money, just want you to understand that what you are proposing will be lots more work than just a simple barrel change. Keep us posted.