Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Rebarreling my Win. 70 Stainless Classic

I am thinking of rebarreling my Win. 70 Stainless Classic from .30-06 to 6.5X55 Swede. Would the gunsmith have to open up the bolt face or any other modifications to except the 6.5? I know the cartridge diameter is slightly larger for the 6.5 Swede than the .30-06 but don't know if it would make any difference.
Thanks in advance for your replies.

I've not had to open up the face on those I have done. GD

I'll ask for just a barrel replacement then. I want to put a 22" 6.5X 55 tube from a quality barrel maker on the classic. I was going to then buy a new Win.70 .30-06 with a 24" barrel.Thanks for the reply GD.

All you will need is a new barrel. Normally I recommend when someone brings me a rifle to rebarrel to go ahead and lap the lugs and square the action. Since you are having a new barrel put on, you might as well put it on a square action with 100% contact on the locking lugs.

Doubtful anything to the bolt face would have to be done.. There's usually a few extra .000s there to accomodate the Swede.. For the most part, it's a simple barrel swap. Nothing else, like magazines etc, need to be changed.

dsink is right on.. When I get an action in I inspect it front to back and tell the customer what I find. The obvious culprits are the bolt lugs which rarely jibe, contact-wise..

Thanks again gentlemen for all your replies.
Very informative and incouraging info.
I will ask to have the gunsmith lap the lugs and square the action during the barrel installation.
I am supposed to get information on a gunsmith who's located in Watkins Glen, NY who is supposed to be real good at this. Just a 2 hour trip for me.
It will be exciting reloading up the 6.5X55 swede to it's full potential in a strong modern action.

Laribee

You could do a lot worse than having Redneck do it. It would cost $50-60 for round trip shipping for you, which would be about equal to a 2 hour trip at each end of the smithing.

If you choose not to use a Local or Campfire Smith , then send it to PacNor and let them do it for you. They have great barrels and do great work.

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

I certainly will consider a campfire smith also. I'm not committed to the gunsmith here in New York by any means. The thought crossed my mind to send the rifle to Redneck or other smiths here on the campfire after reading their knowledgable replies.
I will want to do more research on what barrel contour I want (or need), what make of barrel I want or what is available.
There are a few other things I'm going to want done to the rifle also.
Obviously cost of doing these things is also something I have to consider.

PM sent.. Never hesitate to call and ask questions.. I'll only give honest answers..

I have never heard any neg comments about Rednecks work and he would be a good choice for the work you want done.

Thanks Redneck. I'll not hesitate to ask you questions in the future. Honesty is something a value a lot, even if it means it's sometimes something I won't like to hear. I will also consider having you do the work. It will take some time for me to save up the cash to have you do the work. Maybe get a estimate of what it will cost.

Bea175. Your interest in my question is apprieciated also.

All the best,
Laribee

Another thing about Redneck is that he lives within a stones throw, well not maybe a stones throw, but pretty damn close, to a whole bunch of high quality barrel makers.