Short action barrel on long action receiver?

Loganator

Loganator

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Hey all

I have found minimal information in my research so I am opening it up to you guys.

Can I put a short action barrel onto a long action receiver? Id like to put a .308 win barrel onto a remington 700 currently chambered in 300 win mag.

Feeding is not an issue but i wonder with the cartridge difference at the base will the bolt head work? Will it head space properly?

What type of problems could arise?

Thanks guys
 
It will have to be fitted and headspaced of course, but it's less the barrel to action than it is bolt to cartridge that the barrel is chambered in. If the base dia. is different you will most likely need a new bolt with the correct dia. for that cartridge. It isn't a DIY job
 
billdick means that firing a .308 Win cartridge with a .300 Mag bolt headspaced to .308 barrel will result in no extractions. You'll have to try and dig out the spent case.

You need a L/A bolt, 30-06 length which has the .308 boltface combined with the .308 barrel to function properly.
 
EHG said:
billdick means that firing a .308 Win cartridge with a .300 Mag bolt headspaced to .308 barrel will result in no extractions. You'll have to try and dig out the spent case.

You need a L/A bolt, 30-06 length combined with the .308 barrel to function properly.
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Makes sence EHG thanks...would need bolt barrel combo...well it was worth a shot
 
Loganator said:
Makes sence EHG thanks...would need bolt barrel combo...well it was worth a shot
Click to expand...

The action would not feed correctly either if it was a magnum action and a .308 Win. chamber...

Basically short action standard caliber barrels will convert to standard long actions without too much work...
 
I had a P17 which was 3006 chambered in 308. There was a spacer for the blind mag. But it felt like days pulling back the bolt for the shell to eject.
 
The US Army M-24 sniper rifle has done this for years. .308 on a long action, with the thought being that they can change to a .300 WimMag without hanging the action. I'm not sure what all is involved in the caliber "swap" that their armorers do, but you might find the info you need if you search the M-24. I'm sure somebody must have built one and posted the specs
 
KePet said:
The US Army M-24 sniper rifle has done this for years. .308 on a long action, with the thought being that they can change to a .300 WimMag without hanging the action. I'm not sure what all is involved in the caliber "swap" that their armorers do, but you might find the info you need if you search the M-24. I'm sure somebody must have built one and posted the specs
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Awesome thanks!
 
By the time you pay to get the take off barrel fitted / cost of barrel / and extractor rebuild you would be further ahead to trade that rifle off on what you want. It's a desirable cartridge so a WTT on the EE would get it all done relatively quickly
 
Loganator said:
Yes i know it is its brand new. But the intent is not to sell the rifle. Its to be able to interchange.
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They are saying a switch barrel rifle in 308/300WM is going to be a pain and cost lots of money. Buy 2 separate ones for much less. Or buy one from a reputable builder. Or spend lots more money than you have to, to build a better mousetrap that isn't.
 
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