Can anyone give me an idea of cost on a barrel swap? We have a gunsmith vacuum in this area.
The rifle is an older Ruger MK1, I just put it in a shortened stock for my daughter. She handles recoil well, but I really like those long 6.5mm bullets.
I already load for 7mm RM, 30/06, and 6.5X55 so another set of dies would be about the only thing I need.

very roughly
Douglas barrel blank.................$200
chamber, fit, thread, crown et all...$175
bluing...............................$100

prices vary a lot so look around

While this isn't a terribly unusual chambering, it's non standard and many smiths will not have a reamer for it. This may drive the price up for a custom reamer.

and the 270 is .014 larger......

Check ITD
http://www.itdcustomgun.com/

I've had them short chamber several barrels. I think a Douglas installed blued(Matt) is a little over $300

A 7x57 would be a great option as well. My wife uses hers for everything from coyote to elk and Africa last year.

....or just down load the '06 to 30-40 Krag levels. Recoil reduction is the main thing you are after.

Keith

From Hart Rifle barrels.
Installing barrel on customer's action. Includes price of barrel, squaring action and lapping lugs.
Standard bolt Action $600.00
Anschutz $620.00
Single Shot $635.00
Ruger 10-22 Drop-in barrels $370.00


(Please specify contour and barrel length)

Thanks, Doug

A 6.5-06 is just so much FUN!! There is a boatload of reloading data available for it, and it IS the "thinking man's .270!" I've had three of them and enjoyed the living daylights out of them until someone at the range spotted it and wanted the rifle more than I did, especially after the handloading issues had all been resolved with that particular rifle. Go for the 6.5-06 !!

The easiest 6.5 conversion would be to make a 6.5x55 Swede. I own one and the recoil is pretty much nill - it just goes boom real loud and knocks deer over. Plus, factory ammo is usually available at most of the larger retail sporting goods places in case you accidentally leave your handloads at home.

I didn't think you were looking for caliber reccomendations when I first read the post.

New Shilen CM barrel $185 (great barrels)
Install, headspace, crown, chamber $165
Blue, about $40
Add return shipping about $35 with insurance.