I have a VZ-24 reworked into a cheap .270 sporter that (as suggested in another thread) I am thinking of rebarreling in 6.5x55. I used to have a surplus Mauser and liked the accuracy and low recoil. Besides, I'm cheap and still have the dies and some ammunition and bullets!

Purpose would be to build a lightweight, compact, synthetic-stocked rifle for whitetail deer hunting; though I'd also like it to be usable for hunting such game as sheep, goats and pronghorn.

What barrel length and profile would you get? Some of the choices in pre-threaded barrels are:

Adams & Bennett F14: 21", 0.550" at muzzle.
Adams & Bennett F34: 24", 0.650" at muzzle.
Brownells Shilen #3: 26", 0.625" at muzzle.

For comparison purposes my .270 has a 22" barrel that measures 0.600" at the muzzle. It balances fairly well for me.

Presumably if I get anything significantly different I will have to modify or replace the current Butler Creek (or similar) synthetic stock. (Other than the expense that would not be a bad thing since the current stock exposes a bit of the receiver tang that bites my thumb if I extend it normally along the top of the stock.) Which popular-priced synthetic stocks require the least fitting with a decent level of quality and durability?

Finally, how hard is rebarreling (again, with a pre-threaded, short-chambered barrel) as a do-it-yourself project for someone who is reasonably handy and follows instructions well? What tools are required? (I assume a vise, reamer, reamer handle and headspace gauges.)

As an alternative I might rebarrel it in 7x57 (I've been regretting selling one) but that's a question for another day. The barrel profile options are about the same.

John Frazer,

I'd go with the Shilen. Nothing against the Adams & Bennet barrels, but the 6.5 X 55 likes long barrels and the Shilen will be of better quality. If memory serves me correct the A & B F-14 is for a small ring Mauser.

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"If you can keep your head about you when all others are loosing theirs and blaiming it on you..."

The Adams & Bennett comes in two series--one for small-ring and one for large-ring. The F14 6.5x55 is available for either.

One potentially appealing thing about it is that Midway now sells the stock and barrel as a combo--I can get the 21" F14 barrel with a Fajen European Classic stock for $169.

Or, I could go another direction and get their F34 barrel profile in either .280 Rem. or .35 Whelen with a CoreLite synthetic stock for $150.

With all these fun options, I should think about where I can get another action to play with. So, what's the most economical way to get hold of a large-ring 98 action with a turned down bolt handle?

John