Rechamber 6.5x55 to 6.5x284

[JeepGeneral]

I'm starting my first project rifle and have purchased a Sako 85 in 6.5x55. The majority of my hunting group shoots 6.5x284s so I would like to rechamber my rifle in that caliber to share reloading equipment, load data and ammunition on hunting trips.

Is it possible to rechamber the factory barrel by simply reaming it to 6.5x284 dimensions? Will the barrel need set back?

I've had one local gunsmith tell me it's no problem to rechamber it with a reamer and another say that he would only chamber new blank barrels. Any recommendations on a gunsmith that specializes in 6.5x284? I'm not opposed to shipping the barrel and action to have it done properly.

 

[13red56]

From the measurement of the 2 cartridges it shouldn't be a problem to run the reamer in a rechamber it. My smith would do it for me and some smit's just prefer not to do that type of rechamber/chambering but to answer your question yes it can be done successfully if you find a smith willing to do the work.

 

[cowboybart]

The smith that won't do it, may not have an indicator rod long enough to go past the x55 chamber and into the bore, to dial in the barrel

 

[JeepGeneral]

Thanks for the responses, it makes me happy to hear that it can be done. I actually have a shot out 6.5x55 barrel chambered in 6.5x284 sitting on my desk, however I can't find out who actually did the work to pick their brain.

Finding a decent gunsmith in my area has been tough. The guys that do it as a side business or out of their basement have no problem reaming the existing barrel. The renowned custom rifle builders won't do it which makes me nervous. My guess is they don't want to put a product out there that doesn't meet the standards of their custom rigs. The gun shoots under 1 MOA from the factory, I'm a hunter not a bench shooter so I'm good with that.

 

[Kurz]

Is it possible to rechamber the factory barrel by simply reaming it to 6.5x284 dimensions? Will the barrel need set back?

Generally speaking the chambers would be the same length. However, in the interest in cleaning up both the leade and the throat most gunsmiths will opt to set the barrel back one thread.

Not knowing which model of 85 you have, you may need to have the rails opened slightly because the geometry of the cases is different with diameters with the 284 case being fatter and the differences in where the case lengths fall may require a slight adjustment in the rails to correct feeding. DBMs will need to have the magazine lips adjusted for feeding if you have one of those models.

Any recommendations on a gunsmith that specializes in 6.5x284?

Again, generally speaking, most gunsmiths don't 'specialize' in just one chamber although some point blank gunsmiths get in the rut of chambering the 6PPC only or the vast majority of their work anyway...

Gunsmiths have their own opinions about re-chambering factory barrels. Some feel that it is not viable to re-chamber a factory barrel, that they are taking your money without offering you the best service that they are capable of providing. Others will accept the commission in order to save you some money in the long run by not having to buy a new blank. A reputation is a hard thing to repair once someone gets on the internet to stab you in the back.

Regards.

 

[cowboybart]

Ray Montgomery in Grand Junction, CO is/was a very enthusiastic 6.5 guy. I don't know if he is still doing work as he did my 264 WM about 15-18 yrs ago.

 

[JeepGeneral]

Gunsmiths have their own opinions about re-chambering factory barrels. Some feel that it is not viable to re-chamber a factory barrel, that they are taking your money without offering you the best service that they are capable of providing. Others will accept the commission in order to save you some money in the long run by not having to buy a new blank. A reputation is a hard thing to repair once someone gets on the internet to stab you in the back.

Regards.

I agree and think this is why I'm getting so many different answers from local smiths. I'm not one to bash anyone online but there are a lot of guys out there that will. The shot-out barrel I have came from a reputable Sako dealer and rifle builder that is local to me. I talked with their gunsmith yesterday, oddly enough he said he wouldn't rechamber the factory barrel. If they're OK with doing it on their custom rifles I'm willing to take the risk.

 

[hogpatrol]

6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser

6.5mm-284 Norma

 

[JeepGeneral]

Thanks hogpatrol! I have been talking with a smith this evening that was asking about the shoulder angle differences and you're diagram is the first I've seen with them listed.

 

[mikegaiz]

Just one mans opinion, But having shot both cartridges in a Sako, I would keep the 55 Swed, the 284 will cut barrel life and only give you small velocity increase. also the 6.5x284 will not eject a loaded cartridge from that action and not sure it will fit in the magazine , on that action. Also a set of dies is cheaper than a chamber job.

 

[JeepGeneral]

Just one mans opinion, But having shot both cartridges in a Sako, I would keep the 55 Swed, the 284 will cut barrel life and only give you small velocity increase. also the 6.5x284 will not eject a loaded cartridge from that action and not sure it will fit in the magazine , on that action. Also a set of dies is cheaper than a chamber job.

This is definitely something I have considered but for my situation the 6.5x284 is the more convenient cartridge. My hunting crew already has the 6.5x284 dies, brass, bullets and load development information. We travel a fair amount to hunt, if the airline loses one of our bags it's convenient that we all share the same cartridge. It's happened before and I know from experience you can't buy 6.5 cartridges off the shelf in Yellowknife, NWT.

Some of my family members currently have 6.5x284s built on the Sako medium action like the 6.5x55 with no feeding or ejecting issues. I have confirmed with a local Sako builder that the actions he uses for both calibers are the same so no problem there. Barrel life isn't a concern, I'm a hunter not a bench shooter. The extra velocity is just icing on the cake.

 

[JeepGeneral]

Just got my rifle back from Wayne York at Oregunsmithing. He fit it with a Pendleton stock and re-chambered the rifle in 6.5x284 for me. I'm pleased with how it turned out and can't wait to start developing loads for it.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

This is definitely something I have considered but for my situation the 6.5x284 is the more convenient cartridge. My hunting crew already has the 6.5x284 dies, brass, bullets and load development information. We travel a fair amount to hunt, if the airline loses one of our bags it's convenient that we all share the same cartridge. It's happened before and I know from experience you can't buy 6.5 cartridges off the shelf in Yellowknife, NWT.

Some of my family members currently have 6.5x284s built on the Sako medium action like the 6.5x55 with no feeding or ejecting issues. I have confirmed with a local Sako builder that the actions he uses for both calibers are the same so no problem there. Barrel life isn't a concern, I'm a hunter not a bench shooter. The extra velocity is just icing on the cake.

That action wil serve you well,i have a 6slr build on a s/a one and have friends with Dashers and AIs build on Sako actions and they cycle with no problems

 

[DRNewcomb]

Assuming that the dimensions posted by @hogpatrol are what your chamber is and what the reamer would be, you would end up with 0.002" step in the last 0.005" of the neck. This might be an adequate justification to set the barrel back a thread's length. You might want to price out the difference between doing this and just replacing the barrel with a new one.

 

[LHSmith]

The major problem with setting back barrels that have any amount of rounds through them is that throat eroded barrels and there affect on the reamer is a crap shoot......one could loose both barrel and reamer and the cost to get there. Also there is a limited amount straight section to work with before you start getting the fat part of the chamber into the barrel taper.

 

[mauser284]

You can get a decent contoured barrel blank like a Wilsons lets say for $200 or less plus shipping. Just a get a new barrel and then your Hi-End guru will rebarrel the entire think for you. I can not think of many gunsmiths that would not want to set it back at least 1/4 to 1/2 inch on each end and that is after bore scoping it.

You need to travel back in time to the 1950-1970's when the type of work you want done was common and cheap kind of like the 8mm-06 jobs that where common.

A mans time and reputation are worth far more today than back when what you want to do was popular. You are essentially asking a professional to put his stamp of approval on an old factory barrel with unknown round count.

People that have the skill to do it themselves is one thing or doing it for a friend another. I can understand why a lot of gunsmiths today might not want to do that. I think it would be different if it where brand new or close to brand new.