Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Questions about building a 6.5-06

Mark Leonard
Hey guys, I have some questions about attempting to build a 6.5-06. I have a 70's(I think) Savage 110 7mm mag that I was wondering if I could use to make one of these. I realize that I would have to change the bolt head out for a 30-06 one, but will a magnum action work or not? If this won't work, what would be the best way to build one? Some friends have suggested buying a 98 Mauser action and going from there, or buying a commercially made 270 or 30-06 and rebarreling it. I am open to all suggestions, as this will be the first custom gun I have ever built. I realize there is a lot for me to learn. Thanks in advance, Mark
0

Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • MIKE WISKEY
    you seem to have a pretty good handle on this, either option will work. If you use the sav. action you may have to change the mag. box and follower also (neither are expensive).
    0
  • Mobuck
    Either action will work but the Savage will have a longer magazine box than the Mauser(probably). You should have an idea of what weight bullet you intend to use so the barrel can be throated suitably. Some 6.5mm bullets are very long and even with the 06 parent case you could get considerable bullet intrusion into the case. Unlikely to cause a powder volume problem but it is possible with very slow powders. The other bullet length issue is where the bullet body starts bore diameter. I have some so called two caliber 6.5 bullets with a reduced diameter on the nose to prevent contacting the rifling when seated to correct length.
    0
  • Tailgunner1954
    Mark
    The 7mm Rem Mag (and 300 Win Mag etc) are "standard" length cartridges (same as the 30-06 family). They are the original "short mags".
    A true "Magnum" action is long enough to handle the 300 & 375 H&H length cartridges.
    0
  • Mark Leonard
    Guys, I was doing some more light reading in a reloading manual, and wanting to know if it would be easier to turn the 7mm mag into a 264 win mag? The casing measurements are almost identical, and the 264 and 6.5-06 are close in ballistics, so I would be happy with either. Don't know how I overlooked it before[:D]
    0
  • JustC
    easier,..yes. The 264win mag is a very potent round capable of everything on north america.
    0
  • sandwarrior
    Mark Leonard,

    Your last option is just a barrel change. And, you'll get more power from that case. Dies for it are pretty much standard as compared to the 6.5-06. Next I would give the .270 or 30-06 conversion the nod. Those would be the same change-out as the Mauser. But, as much as I love my Savage, the Savage option will be the hardest. It's not as common as one would think to change out bolts. Also, the rails for the 7mm will be wider to accomodate the belted case as opposed to the 30-06 case. Feeding might be the issue.

    -good luck with the project
    0
  • Mark Leonard
    Thanks for the advice guys. It's a hard choice to make. Lucky for me I don't have all of the funds right now so the decision is a ways away. I love my 7 mag, and it an accurate gun, but always wanted to have something no one else had. I had a local person tell me that the 264 win mag is prone to throat erosion. Anyone know about this at all?
    0
  • tsr1965
    quote:Originally posted by Mark Leonard
    Guys, I was doing some more light reading in a reloading manual, and wanting to know if it would be easier to turn the 7mm mag into a 264 win mag? The casing measurements are almost identical, and the 264 and 6.5-06 are close in ballistics, so I would be happy with either. Don't know how I overlooked it before[:D]


    That was exactly what I was going to suggest. All you need to do is rebarrel...and make sure you set the throat long enough for 140 and 160 grain bullets, but not too long for 120 grain bullets. This will be an impressive rifle...a lot more so than the 6.5-06

    The 264 will not erode the throat anymore than any of the short magnums or super short magnums. Just keep in mind to use common sense, and DON'T shoot it hot or dirty, and you will be OK. Those are the two things that will eat a barrel the worst.

    Best
    0
  • stevecrea
    I believe that both the 7mm Remington Mag and the .264 Winchester Mag are based on the .338 Winchester Mag case. If your Savage 110 has the barrel change out system that the newer Savages have, it should be a fairly simple process for a gunsmith to change out the barrel and headspace it.

    Yes, as you pointed out, the .264 Winchester Mag has a reputation for throat erosion, because you are pushing a similar powder charge as your 7mm through a hole that is about 15 percent smaller in area.

    It has been pointed out by many writers that the .264 Winchester should probably have a 26 inch barrel, or close to it, to fully utilize the slow burning powders that will optimize its velocity.

    There are some .264 bullets available with very high ballistic coefficients for long range work.

    Good luck with your project.
    0
  • JustC
    if you already have a 7 mag,..you will be close to duplicating the performance with the 264win mag. You will have 2 guns that do the same thing.

    The 6.5-06 or 6.5-06ackley improved will be similar in performance, but from a different case.

    Try a 6.5x55 or 6.5x55 improved for a change of pace and an excellent chambering for north america with very low recoil, but stellar results.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity