Thread: Genuine question

Hey team, may be a silly question. Just wondering if it is possible to get a 308 barrel changed into something like 300wsm or 300wm. Would this be possible or would you have to change to much stuff on the rifle. Or would it simply be much to over complicated and be better to just buy a rifle chambered in those.

Thanks

Anything like that is usually possible but there are often other changes required(like opening up thr boltface to go from 308 to WSM) that make the project un-economic.

I built a Short magnum on a 243 action(got it built, didn't do it myself). And it was a headache. The bolt face was simple but the feed ramps took some time. I'd never do it again.
Regarding rechambering I wouldn't know, but would think the dimensions of a 308 setup wouldn't give enough scope to house the bigger chambers.
Another factor is what do you intend to hunt with the bigger caliber?
I find longer cartridges feed more consistently than short fat ones (I've owned quite a few of each).
And if I were hunting animals which may want to chew or stomp me, I'd pick the long slender case over the short fat one.

If the fat part of the barrel around the chamber is long enough they can be rechambered for longer like 3006 but as mentioned thing like opening bolt and magazine/feed rail mods could be a pain.
More cost effective to buy a new one.
Bonus is you now have 2 rifles which is always better. Worst case is you sell the 308 and pay bugger all extra for the new one.
But then you only have one.....which is sad

A lot of cartridges share a common bolt face

.243 7mm08 .308 common

.223 300blk common

There will be plenty more. Usually wikipedia gives a good family history of a cartridge its parentage and its dimensions. If a cartridge shares a common bolt face and common magazine length with what you want to change it to, then changing the barrel will be 90-95% of the work.
There may be smaller bits and pieces required like changing the length of the ejection plunger or alterations to the feed ramp as now you are feeding a differently shaped projectile and possible ejecting a different length/weight case.

Going to a cartridge that requires a different bolt face dimension is possible depending on what the change is too, but it involves much more hassle. As others have said above, easier to buy a new rifle. The difference in cost for the bare rifle wont be much more or less than the barrel and the work.

Originally Posted by csmiffy

If the fat part of the barrel around the chamber is long enough they can be rechambered for longer like 3006 but as mentioned thing like opening bolt and magazine/feed rail mods could be a pain.
More cost effective to buy a new one.
Bonus is you now have 2 rifles which is always better. Worst case is you sell the 308 and pay bugger all extra for the new one.
But then you only have one.....which is sad

To rechamber for the .30-06 the threaded portion would have to be cut of and the barrel rethreaded as the .30-06 has more taper, not worth the hassle. You could rechamber it for the .30-06 AI as I did once in a single shot bolt action. There are better options like a new rifle.
GPM.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

To rechamber for the .30-06 the threaded portion would have to be cut of and the barrel rethreaded as the .30-06 has more taper, not worth the hassle. You could rechamber it for the .30-06 AI as I did once in a single shot bolt action. There are better options like a new rifle.
GPM.

you can just set the barrel back a couple of turns to remove difference in case taper between 308/30-06 while reaming
I did the 7mm08 to 280rem ream on a tikka