Will a Model 70 CRF action that is set up for a 30-06 feed and function with a 6.5 X 55 or is there enough difference in the cases to permit this from being an easy conversion?

I think that would be pretty straight forward conversion...as long as you're willing to change the barrel.

quote:

Originally posted by Pegleg:
Will a Model 70 CRF action that is set up for a 30-06 feed and function with a 6.5 X 55 or is there enough difference in the cases to permit this from being an easy conversion?

Get a few 6.5 X 55 rounds and feed them thru your action.

You don't have to do a full conversion toi find out.

My guess is that it'll work very well.

I see no problems. van

I have one newer classic m70 and its a 6,5x55. Same length receiver as a 30-06. And thats what you want for a swede with its long bullets 140 160 gr bullets. The 260 short action is only good for short 120gr or less bullets cramed down in the case.

This is good news as I have a Model 70 CRF Featherweight that I have just rebarreled with a new Shilen #3 contour stainless barrel in 30-06 and have bought a new take off barrel from Mr. Jim Kobe (thank you very much, Jim) in 6.5 X 55 and upon screwing the barrel on the action the timing marks lined up. I will have the headspace checked but everything looks promising so far. Maybe my first switch-barrel hunting rifle.

Pegleg,

As you probably know the head diameter on the 6.6x55 Swedish is .480" and on the .30-06 the head diameter is .473".

Depending on brass tolorances you could have bolt face related problems. If so, reaming the new barrel chamber to 6.5-284 Norma could be the solution.

Buliwyf

I have measured some US 6.5x55 brass that was .473. Think it was Remmington. I know what the specs say it should be, but there is a lot of variation in all mass produced factory ammo. I imagine it was easier and cheaper for Remington (or whomever it was) to just use some tooling they already had that to go to a lot of expense for a low selling caliber.

I have a featherwweight that was in 30/06 and I had it rebarreled to a 6.5 x 55...

it is a pushfeed, and there are no feeding problems....

there can be some extraction problems at times, based on the difference in the case between the .473 bolt face of the 06 and that of normal 6.5 x 55 brass...

however the simple solution is to use Remington Brass.. it appears to have a 473 bottom to it, instead of the correct Mauser .480 or whatever..

Winchester gives occasional extraction problems.. Euro brass, more often..

Remington.. never...

I did a 6.5 x 55 on FN 98 commercial action last year .
I have had no feeding problems .
Don't think the gunsmith did any bolt face or extractor work to go from the .473 to .480 head size .

Johnch