6.5 WSM, loads, and converting a .270 WSM to one.

utahpredator_7

utahpredator_7

New member
I think I want to get a .270 WSM, then am I correct in thinking I could just put a 6.5 barrel on it, from the manufacturer, or would I have to pay someone as much as I would pay for the rifle for a special barrel. Then, I would have to reload? That isn't the biggest problem, then would I have to get a resizing die, or can I buy brass. And would Savage, Ruger, Tikka, or Remington be the cheapest to rebarrel? I have heard that Savages are cheap to rebarrel, so could I just get a 6.5 barrel from them? Thanks, I am all but clueless here.
 
You have pretty much got it figured out. I would go with the Remington action for this project or I would just build a 264 Win Mag or 6.5x284. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
So I would just need to put a 6.5 barrel on whatever I get? That is all I want to do, buy the gun, take the .277 cal barrel off of it and sell it, then buy the .264/6.5 mm barrel, not completely build a rifle. More info is great, thanks! By the way, is the 6.5/284 stuff (brass, easier to barrel) more easy to get? And what caliber gun would I start with before I put a 6.5 barrel on it?
 
If you use the WSM you will have to get a action for the WSM or have the smith open the standard bolt. With the 284 case it will work with the standard case head size. The 264 WM any magnum action for the 7mm Rem or 300 WM will work by just rebarreling. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I looked, and the .264 win mag wins the velocity, so that's what I'm looking at now. So if I buy a model in a 7mm magnum or 300 win mag, all I have to do is buy a barrel? Nosler has great loads for it, so I won't have to reload. All I need to find out now is which manufacturer to do this with and how to get the barrel, and how much it'll cost. thanks for all the info and filling me in, bea175, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif I know what I need to know!
 
You need to research this a little more.

What you want is not that simple and the 264 Mag is one very difficult chamber to get accurate loads for. Not a chance in hell that any factory load would be accurate.

Jack
 
I may have a one of a kind; but... I have a .264WM (rem classic)that shoots great (considering that it is a factory gun) and is not as finicky to load for as most have said. It is a great caliber.

I would NOT go with a 6.5wsm. I have been around several 270wsm's that show pressure signs well before published velocities. Make a smaller hole & you'll just increase pressure which forces you to reduce powder =less speed.

Look at the 6.5x284. If I were looking into a rebarrel this would be a much better option I think. Check out the ballistics. Dang close to the 264WM with much better brass, more efficient, no belt, and better rep.
 
I don't care to shoot a group much tighter than 1.5 inches, or even that wouldn't be bad. The 6.5x.284 doesn't have as many loads (factory) available, at least from nosler, as the .264. That is my main thing. I'm gonna shoot the 130 gr. accubond for deer/antelope at around 3100, and the 140 gr partition for elk at around 3000. I'll look at that E.R. Shaw barrel too. I think 'll get a Remington Model 700 SPS in the 300 Winchester Magnum, for the looks and the price, then as soon as I get it, take off the 300 mag. barrel, sell it, put in my order for my barrel, send them my action, then I should have it back by deer season this fall if I do all this in the spring. Thanks for the info.
 
7, I would just buy a 7mm Mag and be done with it. Better selection of factory loads, bullets, better balistics than a .264. Extremely accurate. Save you all the expense on the other one and not have to wait.
 
One of the reasons I was going to the lighter .264 bullet was for ballistics, but I checked it out and the 7mm is a bit faster, would save me money too, and pack more energy. Maybe I won't have to go through all of that. Thanks for taking the time to help me out.
 
I personally like the 264 Win Mag and mine group the 120 gr Nosler BT 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch with Rel 25 and Fed 215. The rifle is built on a Montana LH Action with 25.5 inch Number 4 Montana Barrel with 1&9 twist and stocked in a MPI Glass stock. I have a 7mm Rem Mag also but prefer the 264 WM for hunting deer . I took this buck the first day of the VA deer season with the 264. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
bobandbuck.jpg

MONTANA.jpg
 
If 264 Win Mag is what you really want... there may still be a few Rem Sendero's floating around. BC numbers look a lot better with the 264 than the 7mm Rem Mag. However, I have seen a ton of animals taken with both and none of them ever asked if they were shot with a 264 or 7 mag...
 
If you go with the .264 Winchester Magnum make sure that you get at least a 26" barrel, otherwise you might as well get a .270 Winchester. 6.5 barrels can be finicky about bullet weight so go with a twist rate that will handle the heaviest bullet you plan to shoot, for the 140 Partition you might try an 8.5 twist. I have been wanting to have E.R. Shaw do a barrel for me for a while. They have reasonable prices and a satisfaction guarantee. Let us know how it comes out! The .264 is a favorite of mine as well.
Bob
 
If your looking for the flattest shooting rifle for medium sized game you might take a look at two Remington produce, the 7mm STW and the 7mm Ultra-mag. These two ultra-flat shooting cartridges simply out perform most everything on the market and don't cost an arm and a leg to get into.

If your looking for a rifle that is easy and inexpensive to change barrels on check out the Savages's. With a barrel wrench, a barrel vice and a headspace go gauge (available as a kit from Midway) it takes about fifteen minutes to change out a barrel and you can do it yourself.
 


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