snag wrote:Okay, so I've got a sporterised 1903 swede 6.5x55 sitting at the back of the safe that I'm thinking of selling to make room for something else (used to be my knock-about deer and dog rifle until I got a .25-06). Then I started wondering what it could be re-barrelled to? I'd be looking at a simple conversion using the existing bolt and action - any ideas anyone?
Thanks,
Snag.
Is the rifle still accurate? If it's not shot out I'd just sell it to somebody that will appreciate the 6.5x55mm.
If it needs a new barrel I'd probably be inclined to just stay in 6.5x55mm.
But the 6.5x55mm has a .480" case head, so I would think any of the .470" cartridges are a viable option, like .243 or .308. I have read that the M96 is not considered as strong as the later M38's, but I'm not convinced by the arguments. I don't think the action would be long enough for the longer cartridges, like .25-06.
I think you'd struggle to find a different cartridge as capable as the 6.5x55mm though.