If I want to rebarrel an existing rifle to 6.5x55 - what's the best factory caliber to start with? Is there one that the only thing needed is a new barrel or if not, what else would have to be modified?

Any long action designed for a .473" casehead such as a .270 win, 30-06, .25-06 etc.

Nothing more than a barrel change required.

Some folks try to stuff them in a short action but 6.5mm bullets tend to be long and you run into mag constraints.
IMO a LA is the only way to go with the 6.5x55.

The Swede's head is .480, not .473.

Yep but no modern manufacturer makes a .480" bolt face and the Swede works perfectly in a bolt face for a .473" casehead.

Lapua cases are .480, can't say what Norma's are. Winny are .473, and are crapola.

The .480" casehead works fine in a bolt face designed for a .473" head.
The difference between .480" and .473" is less than the thickness of three sheets of paper.

I always wondered if my Tikka bolt is an actual .480 since it is a 6.5x55, or if they simply ran a .473.

I changed my first post in this thread to more accurately state that the casehead, and not the bolt face measures .473".

Although it is technically incorrect bolts are generally referred to be the size casehead they're designed for rather than the actual size of the bolt face itself.
Thus we have .378" bolts, .473" bolts, and .532" bolts among others but the actual measurement of the bolt face will be larger than that in every instance.

I just measured my 6.5x55 Lapua and I mic it at .478. I checked my mic on Jo blocks and they are dead on. They fit my Remington bolts just fine. My 700 Classic in 6.5X55 has only shot Lapua brass.The bolt face is the same diameter as my 243 and 308.
I just checked my printer paper, it is .005.

OK - I'm obviously no where near the level of you guys so in simple terms, if I had a 270 win - rebarrel, and then what? I read about the chamber depth, etc on here - I'd like to have some understanding so I don't get taken advantage of by a gunsmith. BTW, not a youngster by any stretch, just been a hunter and shooter, never a true loonie. Although I have bought and sold/traded more rifles than I care to think about. Always wanting to try something else until I've reached the point where I know the calibers I like to shoot now. Been having a heck of a time trying to find a 2nd 6.5x55 (at least at a reasonable price) and decided to go a different route. Been trying to trade into a rem 700 classic but can't get a response from the seller and everone on GB is overpriced - guess that supply and demand kicks in strong sometimes.

When I had my 6.5 Creedmoor built the doner rifle was a 700 Rem. in .308 and bolt face works fine. The mag is right there for lth. As most know a bullet should have it's dia. in case neck, and CM's have perfect neck lth. for 6.5 or .264 bullets. If your goal is targets then you will single fire anyways. Huntin bigger game the jump don't matter as much as with factory loads set at COL lths. JMO if your goin for 6.5/284 or 264 win. then yes I'ed go with longer action. Back to COL's CM's will shoot well almost with any COL for some reason. I shoot 95 and 120gr. bts. and have no problems just sayen....later

When I was lookin I searched all the net sales from many sites. It gets your goat at what some rifles go for. One day I looked and said self this is it for awhile. That's the day I found my doner!!! I wanted a Rem.722 or an older 700. The 722's are way over priced. The stocks are Betty's, so you'ed be tossin that. The 700 I bought is a 1981 ADL mint. I reused stock had smith work forend to fit a 26" Hart fluted barrel. The barrel is like a 20ga. shotgun shell at muzzel it looks like it came this way from REM. The action is blue and barrel is SS. I love that look. At range guys do a double take then come and ask questions. If I had your long action.270 bolt I'ed think hard on a 6.5/.284 JMO....later

7mm08, if you had a 270 Win all it would require to make it into a perfectly functioning 6.5x55 would be a standard rebarrel.
You could buy a blank in the contour you wanted and have a local 'smith thread, chamber, and fit the barrel.
You could also send your action to someone like PacNor and have them fit and chamber one of their barrels for ~$600 in SS. This includes lug lapping and action truing.

Places such as IT&D and ER Shaw will do it for much less.

I would go long action, 8 twist barrel.

6.5X55 case head diameter can be several differnet things. Basically any long action 30-06 or similiar will work just fine. Chambering is also a question. SAAMI or CIF. Both will work, some brass loaded rounds might be more accurate than others.

Thanks guys, not ready to change the new FN Featherweight 270, but it's a possibility. Will start my search for a used Rem or Win 270 and give this a try. Have become a huge fan of the 6.5x55 - I have that in a Tikka T3 and can't find anything it doesn't shoot well and if I want I can stay at the range all day and not come home with a bruised shoulder. It's worked very well on several deer now too!

7mm08fan,

As you already know, 6.5x55 makes a sweet deer rifle. I have three.

Just curious, how much is too much for a used rifle in 6.5x55? Got any examples?

Redhead,

I've been looking at older Remington's and Winchester's that were chambered in 6.5x55. Just about every one I see listed are higher than any book value for a 100% rifle and most are considerably higher than the original MSRP, and none of these are 95% or above condition. I know they're not chambered anymore but I also don't think they all are to be considered highly collectible. That said $800 to $850 plus for one of those just doesn't sit well with me. I bought the Tikka 2 years ago for $550 new and it's a dream. Wanted to try something in the 700 or 70 actions. If I could find another Tikka around $600 I'd probably call it a day. Would love a Sako but anything that far north of $1000 is out of my league. I guess it comes down to how bad I really want something and how much of my hunting money I want to give up to scratch another itch. Not poor, but not desperate yet. I've never done a build and thought it might be an interseting option. Looking for a donor rifle with a good action, a stock that I can clean up and will try the rebarrel. Will watch the cost as I go but could end up with soemthing that really flosts my boat in the end.

It ain't hard to find a donor and rebarrel it and find that you have spent more than what you can buy one for, even at those "high" prices considering shipping and the rest.

But he wouldn't be sporting a factory tube when he got done building one either.

Tony - call me cheap or frugal. I've never really been into custom rifles and their cost. I consider myself darn fortunate that I've had regular ole rifles shooting factory ammo into MOA without any problems. I'm a hunter that limits shots to 400yds or less. Just really infatuated with the 6.5x55 and want another. If I could find a good one that was priced right and not somebody thinking they had the crown jewels I'd buy it.
Now - you guys want to recommend a barrel maker for that 700 or 70 action and tell me why them please. I've found a Rem700 BDL that looks like I can start with and still not ruling out a new barrel for the FN Mod 70. Planning on 22" 1 in 8 twist, blued.

I gave three choices here. I'd go with Pac-Nor myself.
There are many others in the PN price range too.

Just use a Rem 700 in 30-06 or 270 and barrel with a Number three contour from any barrel manufacture that give a good deal on their barrel , PacNor , Shilen, Hart , Lilja. If i was building for myself i would use a Hart SS # 3 1&8 twist and this is because i already have the Hart barrel .

Here's another option...buy the Howa barreled action in 6.5X55 Swede and purchase a Mcmillan edge.
Here's the link to one.
Howa Stainless 6.5 Swede

That's not a bad option. You can get a stock for under $100. Here's one from Boyd's just as an example:

http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/FT-WBY-VG-HOWA-LA-FBC-RJL-F-p/600-691.htm

The McMillans must be good. The name is mentioned ad nauseum here on the 'fire. But they cost a lot more than $100.

The 6.5x55 seems to be all the rage these days, and rightly so. It is an excellent hunting cartridge. They are not common in American sporting rifles, so they tend to command a premium. I had a Win M70 Classic Featherweight with killer wood, but traded it away at a gunshow. The dealer that got it sold it on Gunbroker for $1053! I gave $550 for it.

I just had a pre-64 model 70 rebarreled in 6.5x55 by Mark Chanlynn. I put it in a McMillan A3. It shipped last week, can't wait to get her back

I'd call Brux barrels and have have them make me a barrel in the factory contour. No reason to go messing around with non-factory contours and having to change the inletting in the stock if you're happy with the factory contour. When my barrel came in I'd box it up and send it to someone like Redneck here on the campfire and have him do the work. You'll likely end up coming out cheaper than sending it to Pac-Nor and have a better job done.

I currently have 10 6.5x55 rifles built on Krag, Mauser, Remington, and Winchester actions, so there are lots of options available.

If considering the Howa 1500, be advised that they have a reputation for having a deep throat, such that shorter/lighter bullets may have some freebore jump to the rifling.

Jeff

That rifle will work easily for your project..

Not to mention faster too..

Just send the thing to Pac-Nor Barreling. They'll do the whole job for you. You can have them duplicate the original barrel's contour exactly so it'll fit back into the original stock with no inletting, or ask for what you want. You can choose from a long list of choices. Every Super Match barrel I have from them has been outstanding in accuracy. They are friendly and will answer any questions about your project.

http://www.pac-nor.com/

7mm08fan,

I've been down the same path. I became a fan of the 6.5x55 a few years ago and it started with a Tikka T3. I wanted a second Swede and sent a mediocre shooting NH Win 70 FWT classic to Lee (Redneck) who rebarreled it with a FWT contour 23" 8 twist Pac-Nor . I'm very pleased with it.



I acquired a nice custom stock a few months ago inletted for a LA Win 70 XTR FWT that I've found a 25-06 donor for. If it doesn't shoot, I would seriously consider sending it to Redneck for another 6.5x55 rebarrel....prolly use Pac-Nor again since the first one worked out so well. BTW, GB has 3 NIB Win 70 XTR long actions for sale made in the early to mid 80's.

OK - if any of you guys are still looking - what's your opinion of Douglas Premium barrels? Local smith who has done some things for me in the past uses them and does the final threading, chambering, and finishing himself. The price he's offerd me is darn reasonable in my opinion but I'd like to hear from some people about the quality of the Douglas barrels.

Thanks for all the input. It's definitely helped me make some decisions.

My 'smith uses Douglas premium barrels and they make very accurate rifles. I think that I have three of them still in my safe and three more with my daughter and grandsons. Probably have sold traded away four or five more. Never had a bad one, but my sample size is small compared to most folks on this site.