I have a Savage 30-06 that i am going to rebarrel. I want a smaller cartrdige with low recoil for target shooting and maybe an occasional deer. Will I run into problems if I chamber it for 6.5X55 or 7mm-08? The bolt face should work, but I'm wondering what modifications I'd have to make to the magazine, and how well it will feed.

6.5x55 is an in between cartridge like the 7x57, longer than the 308 but shorter than the 30-06.The case is slightly larger than the ,06 but if it fits the bolt face it should be ok.

it's best to install a magazine block in these cases but I'd far more recommend using a long cartridge....such as a 6.5-06 or a .280 Rem etc and reduce the loads a bit if you wish.
I currently have a 6.5-55 in a '98 action and it's working fine with no block in the magazine.....a shorter cartridge such as a .260 or 7-08 or .308 might need a spacer.

I've had a 22-250, a .243, 2ea 7X57, and a.308 on long actions with no problem. Just make sure you have a normal longthroat and seat your bullets out to where they belong. roger

elkhunter

I'm pretty sure that Winchester, and I know that Remington use long actions on their 6.5x55's. My 700 classic in 6.5x55 does not have a magazine block in it. The bolt face diameter (.480 vs.473) should not be any more of a problem than the rim thickness (.055 on the 6.5 vs. .045 on the 06). I have also been told that the euro 6.5x55 brass has an even thicker rim than U.S. made stuff. (I measured a RP case.) So like mete said, see if the rim fits your bolt but also be sure that the extractor fits properly. Not so tight as to shave the brass from the inside of the rim when you open and close the bolt. At any rate these are small obstacles to overcome. You should have a 6.5x55 up and running in no time.

Shawn

Yeah, I was going to mention my dad's Rem is a long action with no spacer. If you're using heavy bullets like a god boy, it's easy to get up to 3.15" COL. Figure out your favorite bullet, seat it proper and make sure the throat is reamed according.
[But I also must second the 6.5-06; what a round!]

you didn't mention whether this is a clip fed or fixed magazine model. not sure but i don't think savage offered 110's in that caliber (or even similar length) but if is the fixed magazine model the magazine boxes which incorporate the feed lips (no mod to rcvr which is nice) are cheap and will allow for experimentation. if the clip fed model could be a little more expensive. either way i'd bet the magazine already in it will work as is.