Hello all,

Hoping someone could assist with the difference in action size/lengths of say the 243 vs 270/30-06 vs 7mm RM vs 375 HH. Are we talking 2 or 3 different sizes here?

Does anyone know in what size action Winchester made the 6.5x55?

I am pretty sure that Winchester used one action size, overall footprint, until the late 1980's. That said the 243/308/220S/257R etc had magazine pacers and different length bolt stops than the "standard and Win Mag/7mm Rem Mag length boxes/stops. The H&H's had larger magwell openings and relieved receiver openings.

The various size actions with different outside (footprint) happened later, late 1980's.

The only 6.5-55 Win 70 I ever saw in the flesh was a Featherweight from the late 70's or early 80's and was the standard length action with magazine spacers.

ETA: I may have that 6.5 - 55 confused with a 257 Roberts. That 6.5 ,ay have been a later production. Either way I never saw many post 64 6.5-55 or 257's.

Thanks Mike, I assume the re-introduced "classic" CRF would have different "footprints" then... a 375 action would therefore make a poor choice to build a 6.5x55 custom?

Yes it most certainly would, but that 375 action could probably buy a 6.5-55 rifle if you could find one. They didn't make many.

ETA: Ooops, sorry I didn't realize that you are in Australia. You could probably still trade that 375 action for a 30-06 or 308, whichever length action you would prefer to build a custom on. I think a 98 mauser would be the perfect length for a 6.5 -55, but I always end up making the M98 a clone of a m70 win anyhow and just build win 70's now and be done with it!

I have a factory 6.5x55 FWT, post 64. It is a std length action with the KFC stamped magazine.....no spacer.
I bought a PT&G bottom metal, their Oberndorf model. Much less cost than the high end stuff and it fit like a glove.

Mike/WTF, thanks for that ... my biggest problem is that i'm looking for a LH mod 70, I have a gunsmith in the US whom has made a custom lefty on a Ruger action for me, and got it shipped to oz.

Now I know the swede was on a standard action. Currently the only lefty's I can find is of the WSM family of which the bolt face is to big! Havn't heard from my gunsmith yet if the modification is possible and if so, will it break the bank... not to mention if the WSM action will be too short for the Swede.

Desperate times calls for desperate measures. I'm a 3-rifle max type of guy for hunting, and want at least 2 lefty's out of the 3 ..

Any advice or LH winny's laying around? ... not much in LH available here in Oz.

Winchester only made one action size in the Model 70, as noted above. Differences for shorter cartridges were the magazine box length. In the longer cartridges, 300 H&H and 375 H&H, the receiver openings are the only difference, as well as the obvious receiver rails to fit the cartridges in question.

Correct if you are referring to pre64's.

Dead wrong if you are including post 64s.

I was referring only to the pre-64 actions, and should have made that clear.

No prob, Sir. Just clarifying...

WSM actions would be unsuitable, worse than the 375 H&H!! The rails are too wide, follower unsuitable, and of course the bolt face.

Also my previous post was meant to say you could trade that 375 H&H action for a complete 30-06 or similar, i.e. 270, rifle.

Left hand M70's are around but not overly common in my experience.

thanks guys, grateful for the wealth of info Sooo due to no leftys ever being made in a pre-64.... can I draw the conclusion that a standard winchester M70 long action left hand, is my only viable option to build a 6.5x55?

Yes to your question, however you may want to explore the MRC left hand actions, They are "similar" to the Winchesters.

Thanks Jkop, I have the montana on my list as 2nd choice, but holding out for the winny as the montana's are very expensive in oz currently, exchange rate does not help either.