rechamber 308 barrel to 3006 ?

[Willoughby]

I don't know if its practical or possible but I have this small shank Savage 308 barrel
Id like to have someone re-chamber to 3006
would it be more cost effective to just sell the 308 barrel & buy a 3006 ?
I can buy a new barrel for-350.00-or so
advise & thoughts appreciated

 

[Gundoktr]

That would depend on how many rounds through it or how accurate it is. One thing you need to know, due to the size of the 308 versus the '06, it would have to be set back almost 3/8" to get the original chamber to clean up. I would charge about $180 for the job.

 

[Laurie]

One thing you need to know, due to the size of the 308 versus the '06, it would have to be set back almost 3/8" to get the original chamber to clean up.

A friend was assured by a 'competent gunsmith' many years back that simple and cheap rechambering would work. As Gundoktr says, it doesn't. My friend got hard extraction and a decidedly odd .30-06 case shape with a ridge on the body. Cases invariably separated on their second firing in this chamber.

It's because the .30-06 has a lot sharper body taper than 308 Win, so the back end of the new chamber is oversize dia. then has a sharp transition where the .30-06 case-body's extended section is cut from the old neck / throat area.

It may be that .30-06 AI would 'work' with its less tapered body, but I wouldn't think the effort / expense / new dies needed etc would be justified on a s/h Savage barrel even if that's feasible.

 

[Ggmac]

One solution is to rechamber to 30-06 AI , no old 308 shoulder shoeing up like on std 06 rechamber , another solution is to cut .40 off , rechamber and thread
06 AI is a beautiful all new chamber , with no evidence of the old 308 .
Gary
PS I have 3 diff 06 AI reamers for diff necks , leades, and one cut for 220 gr

 

[Ggmac]

I forgot to ask , is it a factory barrel . Not that it makes any diff for rechambering , just that I think I have 2 new and 2 slightly used .