Remington 700 RE-Barrel project Question

[T.Rhodes]

Are you sure the feed rail openings on the bottom of the action are the same width and shape? I’ve never seen a .223 the same as a .308. I can’t see how either would function in the other. See pictures.
1) .223 left, .308 right
2) .223 left, .308 right
3) .308 left, .223right
View attachment 1541229View attachment 1541230View attachment 1541231

Thanks for the photos. Clear differences in the two.

No because the.223 feed rails are too narrow to allow the.308 to feed. The rim of the .308 would never raise high enough for the bolt to touch it. If you leave the feed rails as is the only way for the .308 to work is to single feein the two.

I did a check yesterday evening and mounted the 223 SA action in a chassis. I used a MDT magazine to feed 6.5 dummy rounds with 223 bolt. It picked the rounds and fed to the chamber (of course the receiver chamber is still 223 so that was as far as it would go). So I don't know - that's different than what you're saying.

I guess my next check will be to mount the 223 SA in a stock and use the 308 size box with bottom metal, springs, and follower to see if it will pick up dummy rounds and feed to the receiver.

I really want to thank everyone for the input - this is what I need to check every angle before I jump into this deal. Worst case; I'll stay with 223 and do a Remage re-barrel. That's not too bad, either.

 

[kendog]

The 223 rails are narrower, and a bit thicker when compared to 308, with the 308 having a full length bevel on the underside. The included angle is 45 degrees. I had a 22-1/2 degree cutter ground years ago to modify a 223 to TRY and feed 7.62 x 39. Drove me nuts. Actually got Remington to answer an email years ago about feed lip dimensions and geometry. Their reply was some thing like "we are not prepared to discuss anything about this with you"!

 

[Walt Krafft]

Not sure why you would not just buy another action with a 308 bolt face. Just buying a bolt will cost half of what a new action will cost.

 

[T.Rhodes]

The 223 rails are narrower, and a bit thicker when compared to 308, with the 308 having a full length bevel on the underside. The included angle is 45 degrees. I had a 22-1/2 degree cutter ground years ago to modify a 223 to TRY and feed 7.62 x 39. Drove me nuts. Actually got Remington to answer an email years ago about feed lip dimensions and geometry. Their reply was some thing like "we are not prepared to discuss anything about this with you"!

Yeah, seems like this might be an 'iceberg' problem - 2/3 of the trouble is below the surface. So, I think it's time to just do it right and stay 223. I don't hate 223 - just thought it would be cool to up it to 6.5cm.

 

[boltfluter]

Yeah, seems like this might be an 'iceberg' problem - 2/3 of the trouble is below the surface. So, I think it's time to just do it right and stay 223. I don't hate 223 - just thought it would be cool to up it to 6.5cm.

You could do the .308 if you want to run it as a single shot, just saying.
Paul

 

[kendog]

Yeah, seems like this might be an 'iceberg' problem - 2/3 of the trouble is below the surface. So, I think it's time to just do it right and stay 223. I don't hate 223 - just thought it would be cool to up it to 6.5cm.

Single shot 308 is OK. You can only shoot one at a time through it anyway!

 

[T.Rhodes]

Not sure why you would not just buy another action with a 308 bolt face. Just buying a bolt will cost half of what a new action will cost.

You are correct...but I like doing projects and this'll be a fun one. Mine don't always turn out as planned and since I haven't done Remage before - I better play it conservatively and stay 223.

I appreciate all the input highlighting the potential 'gotchas' that could be there with the 6.5cm conversion.

 

[whatsupdoc]

An acis mag setup does not use the action feed rails, so 223 or 308 action does
not matter.