Building a 6.5 rem mag?

[Kachok]

I have always been very impressed with the performance of the "obsolete" 6.5 rem mag. Much more so then the .264 win mag, 6.5-284 or the 6.5-06. According to all of my reloading manuals it outperformes all those other hot 6.5 with a smaller powder charge (yes it trumps the .264) it is truly an amazing little cartrage. Sadly nobody chambers a rifle in it anymore although ammunition/brass is still available from many sources. I was thinking insted of hopping on the WSM bandwagon doing somthing a little different. I know Savage rifles are highly tweekable because of their barrel nut setup, and might be a good place to start. If memory serves me right the 6.5 has the same bolt face as the 7mm rem mag, could I put a mag bolt face on a short action savage/stevens? If so where could I buy a replacement bolt face? I have seen 6.5 rem mag barrels from several sources so I am not too worried about finding one of those. Oh and BTW the original short mag shoots slightly flatter then the new 270 WSM. 120gr @ 3310 fps vs 130 gr @ 3275 fps with a slight BC and SD advantage going to the 120 gr 6.5mm, so it is plain to see why I want one.

 

[natman]

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=866933

Or similar depending on the model of your rifle.

Either start with a WSM Savage and keep the bolt face or start with a detachable magazine model short action.

I am slightly skeptical of the 6.5s ability to outperform the 264, but find the short action appealing enough that I'd go that route regardless.

Best of luck with your project.

 

[Kachok]

I don't think the wsm bolt face will work with the standard belted magnum bolt face. I don't doubt that the .264 can out do the 6.5 with super hot over pressure loads due to the vastly larger case, but I just double checked in my new Nosler reloading manual and in every bullet weight the 6.5 was a little faster and burned a little less powder doing it. It is an impressive little round. It also was aprox 100 fps faster then the 6.5-06 and 6.5-284 with similar powder charges. If anyone elses reloading manuals say anyting different I would like to hear about it.

 

[natman]

Mea culpa, the WSM does use a slightly larger head diameter. Use a regular magnum head.

At any rate, there's a source for them for you.

 

[Kachok]

I have never done a bolt face swap, what all is involved?