"Easiest" Re-chamber
I have a Rem Model 700, internal box mag, currently chambered in 25-06, which I intend to have re-chambered. For guys like JustC, Nononsense, etc, the question is; What would you recommend as the "easiest" cal to re-chamber to, bearing in mind that I know I'm also into this for a new barrel, and I want to keep the cost down by way of not asking my gunsmith to do much more tham the chamber reaming and barrel installation>>>>he won't open the bolt face 
My intention is to shoot a heavy-for-caliber bullet in the 30-06 case class, AND a caliber that allows me to use my existing supply of 25-06 and 30-06 brass would be "lovely", too!
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
My intention is to shoot a heavy-for-caliber bullet in the 30-06 case class, AND a caliber that allows me to use my existing supply of 25-06 and 30-06 brass would be "lovely", too!
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
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9.3x62 comes to mind. As do the 8-06 and 338-06.
I have both a 9.3 and 8-06 and both are heavy hitters. Used the 9.3 to take an Alaskan brown in '82 with two shots. The second shot wasn't needed, but at rock throwing distance,,,0 -
6.5mm-06 AI 0 -
Just to be clear, when I hear 'rechamber' I think of chasing a reamer into the existing barrel to ream it out to a longer and/or fatter cartridge of the same caliber bullet. What you're talking about is a rebarreling. That said, any caliber with the same sized 30-06 case head with a similar length to feed through the magazine is just as easy as the next cartridge. There's plenty of 700 contour barrels out there, just make sure you get one of the same contour as what you have to fit the stock.
I guess the better question is, what is your intended use? Paper? Varmints? Hunting medium or big game?0 -
What's wrong with a 25-06? But you asked for a recommendation, not an opinion, so, mine is 30-06. 0 -
I agree with jonk. It's simple as pie to just go get another 30-06 class chambered barrel.
That said, if you want heavy for caliber, I think two things: chasing big stuff that will chase you back or long range target/varmint/hunting.
In the case of the former there are a number of wildcats and proprietary cartridges that meet the need. 9.3x62 would be my first choice but, 8mm-06, 9.3x57 .338-06, .35 Welen, .375-06 would all fit that bill well.
In the case of long range, there a couple standouts. The 6.5-06 or the .280 Rem will launch the heavy/high BC bullets you want as far as one mile accurately. That also depends on what else you do to your rifle to get you there. Don't be afraid though to go with the .30-06 and get a slightly tighter twist (1-10") so as to push the 208-220 class fast enough to get a long ways.
Also, FWIW, you might just change your bullet and get what you need from what you already have. There are some bullets out there in the 125 and 130 gr. range that a standard 1-10" twist in .25 cal will stabilize. But, you'll have to look for them. Where I got mine, he sold his company and they have yet to produce what he did {what I want}. For long range, the Berger 115 gr. VLD gets out to about 1200 yds. before going subsonic. A 1-10" twist will usually keep the bullet stable through the transonic range. And, a Sierra 120 will do very well out to 1k. It goes subsonic before 1k, but stabilizes well through the transonic range. That's @ sea level std. temp/pres. As you go up in altitude it gets easier.0 -
"Rechambering" would indicate you intend to retain the bore diameter you already have. "Rebarreling" sounds more like what you intend. You might want to find out what reamers your gunsmith has on hand as that is a factor in some rebarrel jobs. Common caliber barrels are usually cheaper than more exotic diameters.
Economy wise, selling your present 25/06 and buying the caliber you want is going to be cheaper.0 -
quote:Originally posted by jonk
Just to be clear, when I hear 're-chamber' I think of chasing a reamer into the existing barrel to ream it out to a longer and/or fatter cartridge of the same caliber bullet. What you're talking about is a re-barreling. That said, any caliber with the same sized 30-06 case head with a similar length to feed through the magazine is just as easy as the next cartridge. There's plenty of 700 contour barrels out there, just make sure you get one of the same contour as what you have to fit the stock.
I guess the better question is, what is your intended use? Paper? Varmints? Hunting medium or big game?
+1, 25-06 AI would be the quickest/easiest...0 -
I'm a little confused by the question. Rechambering usually means reaming out the chamber while leaving the bore alone. As such, the bore would remain .257" and since the bolt face won't be changed- GOOD decision with the 700, the result is an "improved" or "wildcat" 25-06. Since you are shooting "heavy for caliber" bullets, the 257 Ackley would be the easiest & cheapest to acquire and both 25-06 and 30-06 brass can be easily altered.
If you mean Rebarrel, with keeping the same magazine and bolt face, the field is very open from a re-do of 25-06 up to the 35 Whelen. A new barrel will be more money, but limiting the "adjustments" basically to an increase in bore and likely outside barrel diameter would minimize expense.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Ray B
I'm a little confused by the question. Rechambering usually means reaming out the chamber while leaving the bore alone. As such, the bore would remain .257" and since the bolt face won't be changed- GOOD decision with the 700, the result is an "improved" or "wildcat" 25-06. Since you are shooting "heavy for caliber" bullets, the 257 Ackley would be the easiest & cheapest to acquire and both 25-06 and 30-06 brass can be easily altered.
If you mean Rebarrel, with keeping the same magazine and bolt face, the field is very open from a re-do of 25-06 up to the 35 Whelen. A new barrel will be more money, but limiting the "adjustments" basically to an increase in bore and likely outside barrel diameter would minimize expense.
The OP noted that he intended to obtain a new barrel and wanted a heavy for caliber bullet. Since the heaviest common 25 caliber bullet is approximately 127 grains. This pretty much rules out the 25's.
On the other hand the heavy for caliber bullets available for the 30 caliber and above cartridges. Are on the really ugly side when shooting them, do to recoil and muzzle blast. Not something you want to do a lot of shooting with off a bench with, without a lead sled.0 -
My vote is for the 6.5-06, or the 280 AI(you can use regular 280 ammo in it also). I would use a fairly fast twist of 1 in 8 for the 280, or 1 in 7 for the 6.5, if you want to use real heavy bullets.
Best0 -
wanted man,
Your uses will determine which cartridge or caliber you ultimately choose. Some cartridges will function in a dual capacity for both target and hunting while others are better left dedicated to their specialty. Put your ideas down on paper in order assess where you are with the project.
If you intend to abandon the 25-06 then I suggest the best of the dual use cartridges is the 6.5-06 or the Ackley Improved version. This cartridge will cleanly harvest even the largest of the game animals when and if you do your part in all facets. It can also double for the varmint hunter when pacing the longest of shots. I have shot both the standard version and the AI version for competition and it will win when the shooter and conditions cooperate. This cartridge is a near replica of the highly recommended 6.5-284 for competition.
These same comments apply to the 280 Rem. and the AI version.
Others to consider but with the understanding that hunting will be the overriding use:
8mm-06
.338-06
.35 Whelen
9.3x62
9.3x66 SAKO (factory cartridge and ammunition)
.375-06 Improved
I have had the pleasure of shooting and hunting with most of these and believe that you can't make a mistake by choosing any of them.
If by chance you consider stepping down a little bit, the 6mm-06 is a superb target and deer killing cartridge. Think .240 Weatherby for comparison. Even better simply use the .240 WBY and save the problem of making cases since the rim size is still in the '06 family.
Best.0
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