i'd like to build a 6.5x54 M/S over the winter and have a few questions. having a smaller head diameter then a standard cartridge, how much of a problem would it be? i currently have one built off of a Norwegian Krag, and while it always extracts, ejectino is not always a for sure thing. i'm planning on starting with a standard long action, either a Weatherby Vanguard or a Browning X-Bolt. i know i can form brass from .220 Swift to solve the head diameter issue, but i'd rather use proper stamped brass. also, what is the general consensus on Montana Rifleman barrels?

The second rifle I built in gunsmith school was a 6.5x54. Had the reamers ground in Raton and still have them. A 4 reamer set,rougher,finisher,throater and a sizer for the dies. I used some empty brass with no headstamp for headspace gauges. I used a brand new FN action,which was a primo action of the time. I didn't know the head was smaller so made no allowances at all for it and never had a problem. Shot and fed with out fault for years and probably still is. As I write this I'm looking at the same empty I used to headspace it. It's got a very long softpoint loaded in the empty primerless case,probably a 165gr and is still the sexiest round that ever existed i thought then and still do. Have no idea why I kept that empty for all these years and knew immediately where it was. Guess it's still an intriguing round.

quote:

Originally posted by kevin.303:
i'd like to build a 6.5x54 M/S over the winter and have a few questions. having a smaller head diameter then a standard cartridge, how much of a problem would it be? i currently have one built off of a Norwegian Krag, and while it always extracts, ejectino is not always a for sure thing. i'm planning on starting with a standard long action, either a Weatherby Vanguard or a Browning X-Bolt. i know i can form brass from .220 Swift to solve the head diameter issue, but i'd rather use proper stamped brass. also, what is the general consensus on Montana Rifleman barrels?

/.


. The Montana barrel that I used were quality barrels they were in 375 and 416 caliber , I don,t know how perfectly accurate the 416 barrel is . but it has killed alot of brown bear . the 375 barrel was very accurate . and pressure/velocity were as good or better than most barrels ...