I'm interested in buying a rifle to convert to a 6.5-284, I'm leaning towards a savage 112bvss. If I buy it in a 25-06 can the factory barrel be converted (chamber & bore) for less than the price of a new (Rock) barrel or am I money ahead to just buy the new barrel?
Thanks
Chris

I don't think it will work with a .257" bore barrel. The 6.5 uses a bullet of .264", which is also the "groove" diameter of the 6.5mm barrel. BUT, the diameter of the lands is about .008" less than groove diameter, or .256" diameter. So, the land diameter of a 6.5mm barrel is smaller than the groove diameter of the 25-06 barrel.

I don't know how much it would cost to re-bore, but I would think that you would be better off starting with a new barrel. The '06 case also has a longer body than the 284 case, so you would lose some barrel length on the threaded end (IF you could re-bore).

Regards, Bill

Re-boring is much more expensive than a new barrel.

Cliff LaBounty in Maple Falls, WA can re-bore barrels. However, the 25 to 6.5 will not work.

Thanks all.
I knew this would be the place for answers, there is an absolute wealth of information here.
My only other choice in a savage is the mod. 12bvss (short action) if I go with a new barrel will I need a lot of work on the magazine area? Also is a 6.5-284 a viable option on a short action?
Thanks
Chris

Winmag,

The Savages are the easiest to rebarrel. All that is needed is a vice and a couple wooden blocks, the barrel nut wrench and a sized case of the cartridge you intend to use. Lock barrel in vice pull barrel nut with wrench, unscrew barrel. Install barrel and nut and tighten down with case in chamber to head space.

As to changing to 284 base cases. The 284 uses the same head size as the 308/30-06 family of cartridges, however sometimes the bolt needs to be relieved to allow the 284 to eject with its chubby rebated body. The 284 will feed from a short action. However in using the long 140+gr bullets you may encounter a COL too long to fit the magazine, requiring you to single load the long match style bullets. With shorter lighter bullets the short mag will work. there may be work needed on the feed rails. Only trial test will tell. Several barrel makers make ready to install barrels for the savages. You can even change the bolt head to allow for different head size. I.e. 223, 308, magnum, all on the same action.

Get the long action. It will allow you to seat your bullets out to a much more usable COL. Also, when you decide to go to another caliber, your options are a lot more diverse. As mentioned, with a bolt head change and a new mag box, Savages make some of the most versatile switch barrel rifles possible. - Dan

Thanks gentelmen, I,ll give this some more thought while I'm working the overtime to pay for it.
Chris