Being stuck with cartridges based on the 30/06 is not a bad place to be. In fact, I would hesitate to alter a pre-64 action to a magnum boltface unless I wanted to barrel to 33 caliber (338) or larger. One thing about opening an action up is, you can't go back.
If you do want to go with a larger cartridge, opening up the bolt face is no big deal although it is, as I said, irreversible.
Good cartridges in a pre-64 if one wants to open it up, would include the 338 Win Mag., the 358 Norma, and the 375 Ruger. One could also barrel it in one of the smaller magnum cartridges like the 270 or 7mm Weatherby, the 264 Win mag, or the 7mm Rem mag. None of these under-30's would be my choice but it's not my rifle! Leeper
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