Converting Rem 700 SA .308 to .300 WSM?

[Papa Charlie]

I want to be convert my Remington 700 SA .308 to .300 WSM. I want to be able to switch barrels and bolts to switch from one caliber to the other.

Switching my Benchmark barrel is no issue. I have the tools to do this easily.

From what I have been able to find on the internet, the difference between the two bolts is the face of the bolt. A difference of 0.067".

But what I cannot find out, does the lugs or diameter of the bolt differ also?

.308 WIN Bolt face 0.473"
.300 WSM Bolt face 0.540
Delta 0.067"

So to the gunsmiths here, what say you?
Your knowledge and help would be greatly appreciated.
Patrick

 

[Concha]

You may as well just have two barreled actions and one stock.

Otherwise the actions are the same. Not sure but depending on how long you load you may need to modify the entry port. Someone will follow up if im wrong.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

you need to find another receiver that is made for WSM cartridge. Feed rails are different inside of the receiver. you have to open up the .308 receiver.
you can open the receiver and then feed both from magazines. then you need to change the bolt. You can get a mag bolt from PTG. But it will need to have the lugs lapped. then the original bolt may not mate up on the lugs. Maybe want to look at a Big Horn action with changeable bolt heads.

 

[Papa Charlie]

I am a little perplexed by your comments. According to this image the bolt is the same size, only the face is different.

 

[Shrek]

You would have to buy a second bolt and switch to a box magazine bottom metal and magazines to feed the two different cases. As said the feed rails would have to be opened up for the 300 wsm. There would be some work fitting the two bolts also. By the time you do all that along with the second barrel you’re getting close to the cost of a second rifle. Then there’s either two scopes in QD rings or re zeroing every time you switch. It can be done but it’s a real pita for you in the long run. Unless you live in a chithole country that severely limits the number of firearms I can see no benefits of a switch barrel Remington.

 

[Papa Charlie]

I should have mentioned that I shoot only single shot. My .308 loads are too long to be fed from the magazine. I use an aluminum chassis for F-Class shooting and will want to be able to switch calibers but use the same system so that everything but the caliber is identical.

Who knows, I may switch and never change back.

 

[ricco1949]

After opening up the rails you still need to open up the sides of the feed ramp with a Dremel and polish it. If using a Wyatt extended box you there's also additional machining of the receiver and bolt stop involved. Plus epoxying in rails in the mag well to support the box at the proper height. Lots of tuning and work to accommodate the fat WSM or SAUM cartridges for two down.

 

[ricco1949]

All of above not necessary for single shot......

 

[carlsbad]

papa Charlie,
The headspace on the 2 bolts will likely be different but that is no problem. The magnum barrel will be headspaced to the magnum bolt.

I assume you are talking single shot as the cartridges won't feed our of the same magazines. Often 300 WSM loaded with a target round will be too long for any SA mag.

What you are proposing will work fine so long as you are able to change the barrels.

--Jerry

 

[Papa Charlie]

papa Charlie,
The headspace on the 2 bolts will likely be different but that is no problem. The magnum barrel will be headspaced to the magnum bolt.

I assume you are talking single shot as the cartridges won't feed our of the same magazines. Often 300 WSM loaded with a target round will be too long for any SA mag.

What you are proposing will work fine so long as you are able to change the barrels.

--Jerry

Yes Jerry I have the ability to switch barrels. I will have Benchmark make the barrel and match it to the Mag Bolt and action so that when I switch the barrels and bolts, all clearances will be correct.

I was concerned that I keep getting information that the bolts are different and I would have to modify my action to accept the Mag bolt.

 

[carlsbad]

The may be talking about magazine feeding. that is where they are different.

 

[Papa Charlie]

The may be talking about magazine feeding. that is where they are different.

There may be some truth in what you say.

I am not able to use my mag even with the designed caliber. The rounds are way too long to fit into the mag even if I wanted to.

 

[carlsbad]

Then you should be good.

 

[butchlambert]

I wouldn't buy another bolt, I would rebate the WSM rims.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Ok Butch, I read your article on this rebating of the case bases.
What is the negative of doing this?
Does it lessen the life of the case?
Have you lost the ability to withstand the higher pressures?
Does it have an affect on the primer pocket failing sooner?
Do you start with the .300 WSM cases or something else?
Do you or someone else offer this rebate service, I don't have access to my lathe as it is in storage?
Would I have to pay for the tool?

I never considered this operation but it appears to be a great solution. Although this means you have to buy the cases and have them modified. This seems as though it could match the cost of a new bolt.

I would like to learn more.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You only need a short magnum bolt, another barrel and a gunsmith to fit them all together and pin your lug. Like most switch barrels youll change it all over once then find excuses not to

 

[butchlambert]

I do it for myself only, but others on the forum have done it.
Pictured below are 308 bolt face. To the far right is rebated to small bolt face, second from the right is rebated to PPC.

You can do as you please, but I did it to keep from buying a separate bolt.

 

[kendog]

I do it for myself only, but others on the forum have done it.
Pictured below are 308 bolt face. To the far right is rebated to small bolt face, second from the right is rebated to PPC.

You can do as you please, but I did it to keep from buying a separate bolt.

That case on the left, you're going to have to use a real hot primer...;-)

 

[butchlambert]

That case on the left, you're going to have to use a real hot primer...;-)

Yeah, I have about 2000 rounds of those. Remington sold these in the old days to folks that had specific ideas on flash hole size.