Sometime ago ended up with like new condition H&R-SakoL61-R- Ultra Rifle in 270Win. caliber and overall is fine rifle, other than the barrel is definitely what I would call a pencil barrel. Could rebarrel with larger diameter, but seriously thinking about changing caliber without any modifications to bolt face/action/ etc. Already have 9.3x62,'06, and am at a loss to which way to go with it. How much work would it be to rebarrel to 284/6.5 regarding bolt face, magazine, feeding, etc. Appreciate any thoughts on the subject.

I would go with either a 280, 280 AI, or 6.5x284. You should not have any feeding problems.

The 270 is, however, a personal favorite of mine.

I think you'd be very impressed with a 6.5mm bullet in 140grain, such as VLD by Berger, or Hornady's Amax. The 168 7mm VLD shoots nicely in my 7mag.

The bolt face needs nothing for the .284 case head. Stick some .284 or 6.5/284 cartridges in the magazine and see how they feed. This will tell you how much, if any, magazine work is needed. My guess is little to none, although swapping the magazine follower for one designed for belted magnums will likely increase your magazine capacity by one round and will help with the feeding of the last round in the magazine.

The long (3.6") Sako magazine in the L61R is somewhat more than needed for the .284 case. Since the only reason to use the .284 case is to get '06 case capacity from a shorter round, I would suggest chambering for a round on the full length '06 case instead. The 6.5/06 or 6.5/06 AI will equal or exceed the velocities from a 6.5-284. There's nothing wrong with the 6.5-284 (I've worked with a friend's .25-284 for years and find it an excellent caliber), but there is also nothing magic about it, either. A cartridge on the '06 case will give you five rounds in the Sako magazine and won't have as much room to slosh around as the shorter .284 case.

Hello,
Thanks for the feed back, it is helpfull indeed.
I realize the 270 is certainly a classic and excellent all around hunting cartridge(Jack O'Connor considered it one of the finest!) I never thought about the 06/6.5 combo, especially the AI version and will look into that. I am fourtunate to have a very qualified 'smith in my backyard so to speak and will work with him afte the first of the year on this project. I have a few buckets of unfired '06NM brass stored away and need something to do with it. Again, thanks and have a Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year.

I have a Hart SS #3 or #4 (.63 at the muzzle @ 21") chambered in .284 Win with less than 50 rds through it that I need to sell. Would be the cats meow in your long action. I also have RCBS dies & 50 pcs brass available. It came off of an L579 so the threads should fit

6.5/06 or the .270 with a better barrel profile.

Merry Christmas dsiteman,

The .240 Weatherby Magnum would give you something different and is an amazing cartridge velocity and accuracy wise. I'm sure as you know the .240 bee is essentially a .30-06 necked to a .243 caliber with a belt added. From that perspective you could just neck the '06 to 6mm.

Hello Buliwyf,
240 Wby, now there is a thought! Friend of mine, fellow shooter who has long since gone to the "big range in the sky...," lived in the Eastern Panhandle of WV, near Harpers Ferry where the terrain is fairly wide open compared to the rest of WV and he used a 240Wby for many a year to shoot deer and varmints at long ranges. Thanks for reminding me of that and a Merry Christmas to you and yours.

I would go 9.3x62, but if you want a 6.5,I would definitely go with the 6.5-06. You won't need to modify the rails or follower, and may get an extra round. Lou

.284 Win.....the original short magnum