.308 to 6.5-284?

[pslater]

I have a Browning X-Bolt in .308 Win. In consulting my Lyman #49 manual, I noticed the .308 Win and the 6.5-284 use the same .473 cartridge head diameter and close to the same cartridge length. Would the conversion from the .308 Win to the 6.5-284 be as simple as replacing the barrel?

 

[ShootDots]

It is IF you are going to shoot it as a single shot. The magazines in the 6.5 X 284 are built to hold a "fatter" case. I doubt you can go and use a .308 magazine without some modification(s) to accommodate the larger diameter case size of the 6.5 X .284. The 6.5 X .284 has a rebated rim to fit in the .473 boltface..

 

[Tommie]

Even if your magazine is wide enough to accommodate the 284 case, chances are likely that the feed lips will not be located correctly for the longer-bodied (and sharper-shouldered) case. The body of a 284 case is similar in length to the Mauser based cartridges such as 7x57, 6mm Rem, 257 Roberts etc.

 

[pslater]

Thank you gentlemen.

 

[FilippoMo]

Why you did not consider 260 Remington or 6,5 creedmoor or 6,5x47 all easier and probably better choices.
Filippo

 

[watercam]

Not to mention much longer barrel life...

 

[uncle crusty]

Pslater: Nice to see folks interested in re-barreling Browning actions. - Crusty

 

[hogan]

Why not just ream the .308win barrel unless you want to keep it intact?

Probably won't have any feeding probs. .476 vs. .500 is no big variance. Doubtful that in these days of manufacturing efficiencies, that FN-H is doing bigger mag boxes for one ctg and smaller ones for others.