I have a Ruger #3 that was re-barreled by EABCO and chambered for their 6.5mm BRM cartridge. This a 30-30 case with 40 deg. shoulder, taper removed, and shoulder moved way forward. I am not happy with the result for several reasons but the main one is the weakness of the 30-30 case. It seems to me the 30-40 case, necked down to 6.5mm with no other changes (except slightly shorter neck) would solve my problem. And, the Krag case/reamer is enough larger enough to "take out" the present 30-30 size chamber and require no other barrel modifications. Is such a reamer available for rent or sale or would it be a "special order" item? Comments/criticism on project welcome!

Jon

you might want to look for a 6.5/.303 reamer.

Thanks for the comment. The more I get into this project the more it seems like a bad idea. I'm afraid the right thing to do is scrap the whole (expensive!) BRM thing and re-barrel the #3 to some other 6.5mm. Maybe the 6.5mmX55 Swedish.

Jon

The Ruger #3 does not need a rimmed case.

Rechamber it to any larger 6.5.

Bruce

The 6.5 necked up off the 25 Ackley Krag is a great round.
I built one years ago
(no longer have the reamer )

The 30-40 case is Stout
Much more so IMO than the 30-30 case.

(also built a couple of 30-40 Ackley Improved and loaded quite warm the cases held up well)

There is always the 6.5X53R Dutch rimmed Mannlicher. It can use either .30-40 or .303 brass.

All this was done in the first half of 20th century by Mr. Ackley with the .30/40 case. .25 Krag Improved equalled the .257 Bob Ack Improved in the buffalo days single shots... You might find his books enjoyable. He also collaborated with Mr. Epps of Canada who used the .303 British case (so close to the .30/40 it is amazing). Mr Epps had standards and improveds on the .303 in most calibers from .224 up. I am sure 6.5 was one. It should "clean up" your chamber. (And .303 is a bit more available than .30/40 these days.) Obviously the loads for SMLE's were milder than for P14 Enfields.

Mr. Steve at .303british.com loves to rant about the Epps Improved .303. His site has a link to the Epps gun shop now in the hands of offspring, I believe. When I inquired long ago they told me the .224 reamer was worn out... others available.

As said, the Ruger can handle the more modern rimless cases (or belted jokes like the 6.5 Rem Magnum). You have many options. Enjoy the search. Luck.

Oh yes, IF you understand headspace... and I mean very well, If, then you could make a much sturdier case for the 6.5 BR from .225 WCF brass.

The rim is not as thick and case capacity might be a bit different, but the head of the .225 is made for 55K CUP pressure while the .30/30 is standard around 45K CUP.

You would have to work up your loads with great care, but just a bit easier/cheaper than a rechamber/ re barrellll You time/bucks. Luck.

DEar Jon,
I have the reamer for the 6.5 Ack Krag if you need it.All you should have to do is run the reamer in to clean up the old chamber and make sure the rim is flush.
Aloha, Mark

Actually, pretty much the same idea was done well over 100 years ago. As mentioned by another poster above, it is the 6.5x53-R.

You can use either .30 Krag brass or .303 Brit brass to make the 6.5x53-R brass...or you could use RWS factory brass (if it is still available).

I have a Ruger #1 in that chambering, and it is a fine rifle. I also have a reamer for it which you can use.

Nice thing with the Ruger is that I can shoot either the rimmed 6.5x53 brass in it, or, in a pinch, 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer rounds. One can also use the 6.5 M/S dies for loading; that's what I use. No need to buy very expensive custom dies.

Alberta, a No. 1 in 6.5X53R and no photos? FOR SHAME!

BCP correctly points out that you do not necessarily need to chamber your no 3 for a rimmed cartridge. However, if you prefer rimmed cartridges for actions such as the Ruger single shots, your purpose may well be served by the factory cartridge 6,5x57R. This one is loaded by RWS and widely chambered in single shot rifles, combination guns and drillings.