quote:

Originally posted by 30 Caliber Mag Fan:
RP-

If you have access to a dial caliper, you can measure the inside dimension (ID) of your magazine box. I am not totally familiar with the Kimber but, from the pictures, you should be able to open the magazine from the bottom and measure the length of the ID of the magazine and that would become, after allowing some measure of clearance, the maximum Over All Length ("OAL") for your 6.5 WSM.

Based on this measurement, you may actually have the ability to have the chamber reamer ground to allow you to have a longer cartridge and thus allow you more powder capacity, etc.

Good luck!!!

quote:

Originally posted by muck:
Just general information. The length of 6.5 mm bullets in long range match configuration and similar 7 mm bullets are very close to same length. If I remember right the Sierra 6.5 155 gr bullet is 1.450" and their 7 mm 175 gr is 1.448". Berger's 7 mm 180 gr is 1.533 and their 140 gr 6.5 is 1.348.
I would think that a change to 6.5 from 7 mm won't be a problem. But, but this is something to have a discussion about with your gunsmith.
If you haven't yet purchased a reamer you can have it ground to meet your needs. Load two or three dummy rounds with the components you are going to use, to the length you want. Send these to the reamer maker with a note to provide a reamer to chamber that dimension cartridge.
Hope this is of some help.

muck