I'm thinking about having an M70 Featherweight chambered in .270 WSM re-barreled to 6.5mm WSM/Leopard with a 1:8" twist. My understanding is that it's possible to get a setup where no brass prep beyond resizing .270 WSM brass and trimming is required (no neck turning etc.). I'm looking for a gunsmith who can:
- re-barrel the gun including chambering as described above, truing the receiver and bolt if need be
- polish the barrel to match well with the action and blue it
- assess the factory bedding job and improve if need be

I'm sure there are a million gunsmiths who could do this, but I'd like to use someone who a) has done 6.5 WSMs before and knows for a fact that their reamer works with brass that is only resized and b) does nice bluing work.

Any recommendations?

I would be Redneck on the forum could do it for you. PM him.

Kevin Weaver did a buddies 6.5 WSM. He has only used 270 WSM brass. No neck turning. Just neck it down and load. It's a ripper of a cartridge.

You'll need to have it re-bedded so I'd skip past the assessment step and just plan on having it re-bedded.

I had Pacnor re-barrel a KImber Montana to 6.5 WSM, no neck-turning needed. It shoots well. They can do everything on your list except bluing and bedding. I'f you're open to cerakote rather than bluing, they do that but you'd need to get the action done also. ANother plus is, they will do any contour you want including duplicating your factory barrel contour. Good luck.

I'm going to talk with the one local smith I trust tomorrow, and see if he's interested. I don't think he does bluing, so it'd have to go to Glenrock or someone. Still might be a good option.

Kevin Weaver also looks like a possibility, and I'll try him 2nd.

I've heard mixed things about pac-nor's smithing (although the barrels have a pretty good rep) and since they're not full service, probably not what I need. An option for a barrel or chambering though...

It seems like a whole lot of money for not much gain.

Compared to what? The only hot 6.5s I know of that have factory rifles are .264WM, 26 Nosler and 6.5-300 Weatherby. They all seem to be twisted wrong (1:9) so you can't reliably shoot 160gr.

If I'm going to be re-barreling, why not build on the action and cartridge that seems most suitable?

No need to explain yourself. I've re-barreled a few just because I wanted a different chambering. I figure that as long as I'm the one paying for it, it's nobody's business but mine.

PS, L. B. read your PM's.......

My reamer works just fine w/ 270 brass and a no turn neck. I am not a gunsmith but would trust my 'smith with my reamer. He does do blueing, but I don't know if a Win 70 is one of his favorites. I have never done one as the extractor notch and coned breech always scared me away.
PM me if you want his phone #, to talk to him about doing it on a Winchester