Short Cartridge - Long Action?

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

TNBilly

Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2011
Messages
220
Location
East Tennessee
I'm tossing around rebarrelling a Rem. 721 I have in 30/06 to a flatter and perhaps lighter recoiling cartridge. I have a 700 in 25/06 and it's a fine round but don't need another. I've been thinking about 243 or one of the 6's. I'd appreciate any input on any inherent problems I'd be setting myself up for here. Opinions on other cartridge options are certainly welcome as well! Thanks in advance.
 
If i recall correctly, the .mil's snippers were long action 700's (or m70s?) that were chambered in the short-action .308.

They kept them long action so they could rebarrel them in a bigger calibre if need be.

And they did. 300Winmag.
 
The short cartridges will feed in the long action 721, but are kind of nuisance as compared to the medium (6MM Rem) or long (30-06) cartridges.
While loading the magazine with the 243 etc. cartrides you will need to take care that all cartridges are pushed to the back of the magazine to reduce the chance of a cartridge not feeding properly. Cases that are staggered forward and back in the magazine make for inconsistent feedng.
I have a 721 chambered in a 6mm Remington, a cartridge that is shorter than the 30-06 but longer than the 243. I still need to be a little carefull while loading the magazine.
If you do decide to go the 243 route, I would recommend a magazine block to shorten the magazine.
 
Last edited:
I like the idea of a 6mm/06 but the chances of finding a new or close to it, take off are pretty remote. Guess that's a good statement for most of the 6mm's at that. Owners keep'em. I'm also thinking after getting thoughts here that magazine size being the only problem, I could just replace the magazine with one of the proper size and do the mods to the stock. Just as an after thought one detractor I remember reading on the 6/06 is that it tends to be short lived on barrels.
 
I've got a couple of standard length actions looking for work and I was thinking of doing one up in a short(er) length cartridge so I could play with the COL to get close to the lands without worrying about the magazine.
 
swede

How about 6.5 x 55 Swede?? Longer cartridge, excellent long bullets available, and you can take advantage of long magazine to run the bullets out to rifling.
recoil is modest, and ammo is plentiful.
 
I rebarreled (new bolt, too) a Savage M110 from 7mm Rem Mag to .308 and have had no problems.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top