Opening a Bolt Face from .308 to Magnum

[Bang4theBuck]

I am planning to change rebarrel and accurize a 12 twist 308 Rem 700 into a 6.5 PRC. Can anyone weigh in on having this done, and advise on what kind of trouble I might be asking for. Also, I would like to send the bolt to someone to flute it, add a nice bolt know, and open the bolt face all at the same place. What's the best approach to the extractor if i were to open the bolt face?

Any other suggestions or pitfalls to avoid? Thanks.

 

[adam32]

I would be sending it straight to LRI.

 

[MudRunner2005]

You're going to need more than just an open bolt face... I'd keep the .308 Win and buy a cheap used short-action magnum rifle for a donor...It will require less work.

 

[BEEMAN]

Tagging in. I'm thinking about doing something similar. You could look into buying a PTG bolt.

 

[WildRose]

Save yourself headaches and start with a Magnum action.

 

[Capt RB]

Gretan is rebuilding my boltface while bushing my pin. He is also installing his light pin assembly with the .060 size threading the handle for a knob. He advertises installing Sako and M16 extractors. This is a great option when opening a boltface up for a larger case head size. A service he also provides.
The other two options of new bolt or LRI are also very good.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Tagging in. I'm thinking about doing something similar. You could look into buying a PTG bolt.

It requires more than just a bolt. He will have to have the smith open the feed rails, and have to buy a WSM/SAUM magazine box and follower.

 

[BEEMAN]

Yes that's true. Not sure what would be the more economical route to go. My dilemma up here in Canada is availability and high prices. Found some PTG short actions. They're all standard and I need a magnum bolt face. Think I'll get my gunsmith to just open it up if I buy one. Cheapest option for me I think.

 

[adam32]

It requires more than just a bolt. He will have to have the smith open the feed rails, and have to buy a WSM/SAUM magazine box and follower.

That's easy to do tho.

I'm actually running a WSM mag box in my .243 Ack...feeds better.

Or run a detach mag setup.

 

[MudRunner2005]

That's easy to do tho.

I'm actually running a WSM mag box in my .243 Ack...feeds better.

Or run a detach mag setup.

Yes, that part is easy, but when you are running a wider cartridge like the PRC, you will need have the feed rails opened up on the bottom of the action (which requires milling out the rails), on top of running the wider mag box and follower.

My custom 7mm STW is built off a 7RUM action, with the RUM mag box and wider feed rails. It feeds fine. But that doesn't mean it won't ever act up. That's the one rifle I'm considering building into a .28 Nosler, just to diversify, since everything is already setup for the RUM/.404 Jeffery cases, and the action is already blueprinted. Literally requires nothing more than spinning up a new barrel and sticking it on.

 

[just country]

morning, very good info justme gbot tum

 

[Edd]

Gretan is rebuilding my boltface while bushing my pin. He is also installing his light pin assembly with the .060 size threading the handle for a knob. He advertises installing Sako and M16 extractors. This is a great option when opening a boltface up for a larger case head size. A service he also provides.
The other two options of new bolt or LRI are also very good.

Does Gretan solder or epoxy the bushing to the bolt?

 

[L.Sherm]

If your gonna do all that work to the bolt, are you gonna have any truing done to the action? I would get a quote to how much this work is gonna cost, you could be a few hundred dollars from a custom action in my opinion would be a better route especially if you ever try to resale.

 

[Rich Coyle]

I took a 243 on a short action Remington to the gunsmith along with a reamer. The reamer was based on a 378 Weatherby shortened to 2 and 1/4 inches. Whatever he did on that rifle worked. With one in the chamber one in the magazine 3 shot groups at 300 yards of 1 inch or better at times.