Author Topic: Custom Caliber Possible???? (Read 714 times)

Kentucky Shooter · « **on:** May 11, 2006, 04:16:26 PM »

Is it possible to get a handi custom chambered for an obselete caliber?? I am looking for a way to obtain a .256 Newton (handi or bolt action sporter) rifle (a 6.5 caliber based on a 30-06 case). The .256 Newton is very, very similar to a 6.5-06. Would there be any way to get a custom 256 Newton handi, and if so, where would one start?? This would make me a great custom rifle, and I have reloading dies and case forming dies to make the ammo.

trotterlg · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2006, 05:26:10 PM »

You can get a barrel rebored and then cut rifled, that would do the trick, probably about $300 plus the Handi rifle. A better bet would be to buy one of the Stevens (Savage) bolt guns and just re-barrel it, a Stevens is about $250.00 and a barrel with a chamber and blue will be from $200.00 up. You can change the barrel your self with a Savage, and you will have the barrel you took off to play with also. Larry

Kentucky Shooter · « **Reply #2 on:** May 12, 2006, 01:16:59 AM »

Trotter,
Who do you get to do the re-chambering work?? Will the NEF or Stevens factories do it, or do you have to find a private gunsmith??? I have no gunsmith in mind right now I could go to for this type of work. Any more advice would be appreciated.

cheatermk3 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 12, 2006, 03:38:48 AM »

You'll need to have an independant 'smith do the work if you go with a handi.

You might be better off finding a military rifle in 6.5 x 55 , if the chamber would clean up.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 12, 2006, 04:39:58 AM »

Hello Kentucky Shooter

Getting a Handi done up in this wouldn't be a bad choice from what I can see in my books..I don't know if Wayne York has the reamers for this cartridge or not..but he does excellent work and has converted several Handi's for some of us on the forum..his web site is here..http://home.earthlink.net/%7Eoregunsmithing/index.html

Give him a call and see what he can do for you..Those of us that have had him re-bore/re-chamber our Handi's are very pleased with the results..I'm pretty sure he does a 6.5-06 so this wouldn't be too far off the beaten path so-to-speak..he might have to pick up the reamers to do it..

While having a Savage/Stevans rebarrelled may be appealling for some folks....Having a unique caliber in our Handi's is as well to many of us too..The cost is going to wind up being close for either one after all is said and done..and swapping a barrel out on a Handi will always be easier than doing it on either the Savage or Stevans..that's the simplicity and the main draw of the Handi's..The main draw for doing either the Savage/Stevans would be all of the stock options you can have and being able to have different adjustable triggers installed on it..The triggers on our Handi's can be done right to produce a clean crisp break..but it has to be honed to get it there..All good choices though..and I think you would/will like it in either format..

Good Luck with this project if you do it..and let us know how it turns out..

Mac

trotterlg · « **Reply #5 on:** May 12, 2006, 05:26:21 AM »

This is the guy who has turned chambered and blued three barrels for me, one was a .17 Mach 2 he turned into a 17 Remington Handi rifle, the other two were custom barrels for my Savage 10. Larry

http://www.vtgunsmiths.com/tis/tisindex.html

cheatermk3 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 12, 2006, 06:25:23 PM »

WHOOPS--I mis-read the original post I thought you wanted a 6.5-06!

DUH.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** May 12, 2006, 06:29:40 PM »

The .256 Newton reamer is available for rent, all you need is a smith to do it and Wayne York would be my first choice!!

Tim

http://www.4-dproducts.com/display.php?group=Rifle+Calibers

DPRinks · « **Reply #8 on:** May 14, 2006, 06:06:26 PM »

Just buy a Savage in .260, ream the chamber to .256 N , headspace and go shoot.