Rem 700: 300wm To 6.5x55

[MtnCreek]

What kind of issues could I have taking a Remington 700 from .300wm to 6.5x55? My main concern is magazine feed issues and availability of detachable box mags?

My current mag is the HSP (m24 look-a –like) as it came from Remington; non-detachable (just like a BDL). Could my existing internal mag be converted to function with the smaller x55 cartridge?

What about aftermarket DB mags? Are there quality detachable units available for the x55 in Rem long action? Any retrofitting issues since this was originally a 300wm?

Another option I’m considering is 7mm rm. Probably more recoil than I’m looking for, but keeping the original bolt would reduce costs. If I went this route, I assume 300wm detachable box mags would work fine. Please let me know if this is incorrect.

I'm really early in the planning of this, so let me know if you think I'm headed in the wrong direction.

Thanks!

 

[rayatphonix]

Have you considered the 6.5 Rem Mag?

You could use the same bolt and save some $. This is a SA cartridge so you'd have plenty of room in your magazines. This is one of my favorites as the kick isn't bad. 264 Winchester is another option but it's not as easy on the shoulder or barrel. This is the 6.5 mm version of the 7 rm.

7mm rem mag would be very easy.

 

[MtnCreek]

The 6.5x55 is really leading the pack for me right now. Availability of quality brass, moderate recoil and longer barrel life are big selling points. I had thought about the 6.5x284, but I’m looking to get more of a balance between trajectory and barrel life.

 

[jdh]

It is doable. I checked with a local guy who has the tools and knowledge to do the conversion. He said depending on the barrel and other parts you choose to use you are looking at from $700 to over $1000.

 

[Kachok]

6.5x55 is a fantastic caliber, 121 years old and still cutting edge stuff, the Sweed used a long neck, sharp shoulder, and a short powder column long before we knew how beneficial they are. Plenty of calibers have come and gone at the long range bench, but the 6.5x55 is the original and still amongst the very best. Almost makes you think they knew what they were doing way back when
As a handloading caliber all the mid range 6.5s have fantastic versatility: 87gr varmint blasters at 3400+fps, 120gr Whitetail thumper @3000fps (mimics the 130gr 270 win to a tee) 140gr all around hunting bullets @2750fps, and the legendary 160gr monsters @2500fps that drive deep enough for hunting anything on the planet and have countless moose, polar bear and even a few hundred elephants to their credit.
Recoil is very light, only my hottest handloads slightly exceed 243 class recoil, even those are light enough to shoot all day in a T-shirt.
The 6.5x55 is all about balance, it never was the biggest, baddest, fastest, or most hyped, but is probably the best balanced caliber to ever exist. Enough powder to get great downrange performance without getting into the barrel burner category, also it keeps the noise to a minimum, the 6.5x55 is the quietest high power centerfire I have ever shot.
I don't see any issue with swapping from 300 WM to 6.5x55, you have more then enough action length, I am no Rem expert, but Savages are REALLY easy to swap.

 

[redneck2]

Uhhh...not worth it. The bolt face is significantly different (.472 vs.532)

By the time you change the bolt and barrel, I'd suspect you could scrap the gun and buy a new one. Literally.

I've been here. I'd sell what you have and buy what you want. Cheaper and you don't have a cobbled up gun when you're done.

If you had a .30-06 that was shot out, different tune. The mag to standard bolt face is the killer.

 

[rcmodel]

What he said.

You have a belted mag bolt face and the 6.5x55 is a signifacantly smaller case head size.
Neither your bolt face, extractor, or ejector will work with it.

rc

 

[dubbleA]

I converted an 70's vintage M700 in 30-06 to 6.5x55 a few months ago. Did it just to different really as I have other 6.5's that out perform it. The swede runs fine in the LA. I went with a AICS platform on this build and the 300 WM magazines work after tweaking of the feed lips.

You could probably do better than using your 300Wm for a 6.5x55 due to having to use a .473" bolt face(which by the way I had to open mine up by a few thousandths) over the .532" mag face. With than said M700 LA SBF bolts can be found in the $100-$150 range

 

[natman]

The bolt conversion takes this idea out of the realm of the practical. It would cost more than a complete rifle to rebarrel and get a new bolt.

Remington made a few Classic 700s in 6.5x55, sell your rifle and get one.

 

[MtnCreek]

the 300 WM magazines work after tweaking of the feed lips

Thanks for the info!

Selling the rifle is not really an option. It would be like selling a 2008 F150 with 400,000 miles on the original engine....

New barrel will be required shortly. I'll put some thought into cartridge; 7mm rm may be the way to go because of the bolt. I guess that will depend on expected barrel life differences between the 7mm and 6.5x55 and barrel/smithing costs. It may be a wash either way.

Thanks everyone and have a great weekend!

 

[redneck2]

There are a LOT of new or nearly new take-off barrels around. Guys that have had a new custom barrel installed on a tuned up action. I saw one for sale a few weeks ago in .22-250 that had less than 40 rounds thru it. $60 IIRC.

Go over on Varmint's Den, Benchrest Central, or Centerfire Central and poke around. You'll find something for cheap that will screw on. Then you can sell it and put the money towards the caliber you want.

FWIW...the 7mm Mag has exceptional ballistics. That's what I have for a 1,000 yard gun. You could screw on the 7mm barrel. If you don't like it, sell the gun.

 

[jdh]

Put a 264 Win Mag barrel on it and load to 6.5X55 levels for everyday shooting but leave open the option to go full magnum it you need it. Best of both worlds.