Panda, 6PPC and 6BR barrel swaps

[Ghansen]

I have acquired a low count Panda 6BR barrel for my Panda action PPC, and probably through not asking the right question then, I will now...

The Panda has a PPC bolt face, will the 6BR barrel interchange so I can just use shaved BR brass with the PPC bolt or how should I approach this?

Geoff

** Bolt face is PPC, won't fit BR

 

[fdshuster]

Geoff: Some Panda's, like Bat's, have dual use bolt faces. They function reliably with both ppc and BR brass. Easiest way to determine if your bolt face is compatable with both is to try both case's on the face of the bolt, for fit.
Another option would be to contact Kelbly, give them your serial number & they may be able to give you an answer.
If yours is not fitted for both, for a modest charge, Kelbly can modify your bolt face to dual use.

 

[delivery_boy]

as said above best try both cases before you do anything more like machining BR cases

I own a Hart actioned rifle with both 6BR and 6PPC barrels. the bolt face fits the larger BR case but reliably extracts both the BR and PPC cases

delivery_boy

 

[dalewoolumjr.]

Just rebate the rims of your 6BR brass and have fun. There are threads on here about the process in a lathe. Butch Lambert does this on one of his guns I believe. I have had to do this on my 22BR. No problem.

Dale

 

[spclark]

BR brass is ~ 0.472" at the base while PPC is ~ 0.440" or 0.032" dia. smaller. Some BR-diameter bolt faces work fine with PPC-dia. cartridges; usually it's the extractor that presents problems if it's not engaging the smaller rim sufficiently. In your case I'd go with shaving the 0.016" from a few BR cases on a lathe & see what happens.

Tedious operation to do in bulk (handle each case twice - once going in then out of the chuck - though maybe one could use a Wilson-style neck turning case holder as a chuck adapter thus avoiding having to chuck each case individually? As long as your lathe has a pass-thru spindle you can use a brass rod to tap each case out of the case holder once the rim's been shaved.

 

[Ghansen]

Thanks for your replies.

My query was aimed toward a barrel original worked to suit a Panda with .308 bolt face, and now used in a Panda with a PPC bolt face. I asked one guy the question and he thought I might need to get the barrel reworked for the PPC bolt. I'm fine with shaving the brass to fit (well, it's another job to do anyway).

Geoff

 

[dalewoolumjr.]

If you are talking headspace, depends on the years of the actions. If newer no problem swap all you want. Some of the older actions were a little different.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

to answer your question altho it headspaces correctly a barrel setup to fit a BR bolt will not fit properly on a ppc bolt action. you will need to have a gunsmith chamber it in BR to fit a PPC cone. angles are the same

 

[Ghansen]

to answer your question altho it headspaces correctly a barrel setup to fit a BR bolt will not fit properly on a ppc bolt action. you will need to have a gunsmith chamber it in BR to fit a PPC cone. angles are the same

Does that mean that the existing chambering would need to be completely re done, or is it a minor adjustment to the cone on the barrel, or would a BR size bolt be the best answer?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

a BR bolt or a complete chamber (however your gunsmith wants to do it) it can be adjusted here and there and set back and touched up if the reamer is the same but hes gonna charge for a new chamber either way.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

last I checked a basic panda bolt is $750 (extractors and fluting extra)

 

[dalewoolumjr.]

Screw the barrel on and stick a rebated rim BR case in it. Bet ya it headspaces just fine.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Like i said it will headspace fine. Trigonometry shows its different. Do a solder crush test on the cone and report the results. Headspace is exactly the same.

 

[Ghansen]

Like i said it will headspace fine. Trigonometry shows its different. Do a solder crush test on the cone and report the results. Headspace is exactly the same.

Thanks Dusty,

I might put feelers out for a unwanted BR bolt and also do a crush test before I shave brass and get re chambered.

Geoff

 

[dwcon]

I would call kelbly and send action to them they recut bolt face .I had one done was not very high and it is right.DW