Savage Mod.110 30-06 to 6.5x55

[glshop20]

I have a Savage Mod.110 in 30-06.  Is it possible to use the same bolt and replace the barrel with a 6.5x55 barrel.  I think the action may be a little longer then needed, is this a problem? Any help appreciated,  Walt

[Nobade]

Try a 6.5X55 case on your bolt face and see if it fits. If so, it's just a barrel swap. If not you will need to open up the bolt face a touch. (about .010")

[kevthebassman]

Ooooh, if it works let me know.  I'd like to look at that switch myself.

[gunnut69]

The swap should work OK. The 6.5  will likely feed just fine.. and it is certainly a great caliber. I've several, mostly M96/M94's but bought a featherweight and love them all. Am going to build a custom on a M96 soon. Have the greater majority of the parts, just need the time..

[kevthebassman]

Well, I went to my local gunshop today and fiddled around a bit.  The 6.5 case fits perfectly into the bolt face of my Savage 116, which is a 30-06.  I put a round in the magazine and it picked up just like a 30-06.  I didn't try chambering it.

I think that this would be a doable conversion and I think I'll probably go for it.  The old '06 in a 6.something pound rifle is just a bit much for me to shoot comfortably.  How complicated of a process is this to do yourself? 

[billy_56081]

That will work just fine. Additionally the bullet will be able to loaded out longer. Just get yourself a barrel nut wrench, barrel and either use a go n no go gage and I made my own action vice from wood. Very simple to do yourself. Some people even forgo the headspace gages and set it on a factory round.

[kevthebassman]

How much of an investment in tools are we talking here?  I'm wondering if it wouldn't be cheaper to have a gunsmith do it locally.

[billy_56081]

The only tool I purchased was the barrel nut wrench when I switched my barrel to 220 swift. I used the not recommended practice of using a factory round as a headspace gage and built my own action vice. The barrel nut wrench cost about $35.

[glshop20]

Thanks for the replies.

I will update as I go along.  So far I have ordered the barrel nut wrench and head space gauges and final finish system(TUBBS) to fire lap the barrel .

I ordered a barrel from Pac Nor Rifling Co. / Specs- 26 match grade/ 1 in 8" rifling/  #4-sporter tape/ target crown/  threaded to fit Savage Mod. 110 (in the white/I will cold blue)  Was not aware that there are "2" sizes of barrel dia. when measured at action.

The people at this company were very nice and knowledgeable.  HAS ANYONE BOUGHT FROM THESE FOLKS ?  i HAVE HEARD GOOD THINGS?

[gunnut69]

PacNor barrels are good. I would shoot the rifle first before fire lapping.. It may do more harm than good..

[SharonAnne]

the 6.5x55 swedish mauser is 0.480 rim diameter. the .30-06 is 0.473. the bolt should be fine.

[Nobade]

I did a barrel job on a Rem 700 Friday, taking it from 270 win to 6.5X55. I had to open up the bolt .010" to get it to eject without a hitch, but otherwise it's slick as you could ask for. Haven't done any Savages in that caliber yet, but since the bolt face is so much shallower it probably wouldn't need any changes.

[handirifle]

In addition to the barrel nut wrench, you'll need the action wrench too.  You have to have some way to hold it still.  Midway sells them, and they are about $50, but that's a one time investment.

I insert the front action bolt into the action, before tightening the action wrench.  This keeps it from spinning a lot better than clamping the wrench down harder or even the recoil lug.

If you go to savageshooters.com, there's tons of hints in doing the swap, including step by step instructions.

[chutesnreloads]

Don't waste $$$ on an action wrench.Use a 2x4 and some nylon rope.Tie a prussic(spelling?) knot around your action.The rope won't mar the finish.It's easy to change barrels on a savage.