308 win vs 6.5 creedmore case

360hunt · #1 10-29-2018, 08:01 AM

No this isn't a post on which is better.......

I have a rifle that I bought for a great price. It's in fantastic condition but I have similar calibers.
I'm considering swapping barrels on it to 6.5 Creedmore.
Looking at a quick glance in my reloading manual it looks like the receiver and bolt face of 308 win and creedmore cases are very similar.
Could this be done? Anyone ?
Thanks

260 Rem · #2 10-29-2018, 09:20 AM

All that is required in swapping barrels for a build, is the same boltface, which are the same for the 308 and Creedmoor ... 0.473” if memory serves correctly. The cartridges are quite similar so I would expect no feed issues from the donor magazine.

Davey Boy · #3 10-29-2018, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

All that is required in swapping barrels for a build, is the same boltface, which are the same for the 308 and Creedmoor ... 0.473” if memory serves correctly. The cartridges are quite similar so I would expect no feed issues from the donor magazine.

Could you then form 6.5 C from the .308 Cases. Just asking.

DiabeticKripple · #4 10-29-2018, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davey Boy

Could you then form 6.5 C from the .308 Cases. Just asking.

Yes.

Same with 243, 7mm-08 and 338 Federal

I have a 6.5 creedmoor barrel in a 308 based rifle that use all 308 based parts except the barrel

360hunt · #5 10-29-2018, 10:25 AM

I appreciate the advice. I'm glad I asked because I was going to re-selling it. But I'll hang on to it and look for a new barrel.

Davey Boy · #6 10-29-2018, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiabeticKripple

Yes.

Same with 243, 7mm-08 and 338 Federal

I have a 6.5 creedmoor barrel in a 308 based rifle that use all 308 based parts except the barrel

What would the forming process entail. How many times through a FL Sizer? Just once, and is the brass then as durable as factory brass?

Just curious, as I have lots of .308 brass, but when it comes time for a barrel change maybe go the 6.5 route.

DiabeticKripple · #7 10-29-2018, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davey Boy

What would the forming process entail. How many times through a FL Sizer? Just once, and is the brass then as durable as factory brass?

Just curious, as I have lots of .308 brass, but when it comes time for a barrel change maybe go the 6.5 route.

I’m not sure what the process entails, but annealing first would be a good idea.

I’m sure there are lots of YouTube videos on making 6.5 out of 308

Davey Boy · #8 10-29-2018, 10:44 AM

Thanks I will check that out.

catnthehat · #9 10-29-2018, 11:01 AM

I just swapped out a 308 barrel for a 6.5 Creedmore barrel last week, not issues at all.
Cat

260 Rem · #10 10-29-2018, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davey Boy

Could you then form 6.5 C from the .308 Cases. Just asking.

I am not familiar with CM specs, but I would not try a 308 to CM conversion. At first blush, it looks like it would require bumping the shoulder back about 2mm, changing the angle of the shoulder, and necking down which would likely result in very thick neck walls ... I assume fire forming would be necessary.

Nova316 · #11 10-29-2018, 01:55 PM

I've done it and its a bit of work to do, its cheaper and less of a headache to just buy Lapua 6.5CM brass also you get better grouping

I believe I had to trim, 6.5CM full size, then neck turn I made 100 and it was more than enough headache to just spend the extra money and get Lapua brass although I do have a friend who has made thousands of 6.5CM from 308.

Dubious · #12 10-29-2018, 04:55 PM

I've formed a pile of 25-06AI brass from other donor 06 cases and this is what I have found works best for me, I need to step down in sizes from 30 cal to 270 and then to 25-06AI. if I just go full hog from 30 cal to 25 the shoulders will normally crush like the front end of an old Lincoln continental after it rear ends a dump truck.

I only just recently made an annealer and haven't annealed any of my brass after or before this process and it had worked out fine. now that I do have an annealer in the future I will be annealing the cases.

If I was going to try to size down from 30 cal to 6.5 I would try a donor first to see if it'll crush first before I ran out to purchase a step down die you'll be able to feel it if its going to work if you have to put a lot of pressure on it'll crush should feel like a normal case with just not enough lube on the inside of the neck. You will need to check the length after as after it may require trimming and going from 30 cal 6.5 may also push the extra material farther down the neck creating what looks like a false shoulder. When I form my ackleys this material gets fire formed creating my new case profile.

260 Rem · #13 10-29-2018, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova316

I've done it and its a bit of work to do, its cheaper and less of a headache to just buy Lapua 6.5CM brass also you get better grouping
I believe I had to trim, 6.5CM full size, then neck turn I made 100 and it was more than enough headache to just spend the extra money and get Lapua brass although I do have a friend who has made thousands of 6.5CM from 308.

IMO, once you get into cutting brass to length and then require several bumps to set the shoulder back / change the shoulder angle / turn necks / and annealing... you are wading into the deep end.

sns2 · #14 10-29-2018, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

IMO, once you get into cutting brass to length and then require several bumps to set the shoulder back / change the shoulder angle / turn necks / and annealing... you are wading into the deep end.

I'd say more like the Bermuda Triangle!

bubba300 · #15 10-30-2018, 04:52 AM

I would just buy 6.5 cm brass,I have converted 308,243 and 7-08 brass to 6.5 cm,its alot of work.The only reason I did it was cm brass was hard to find back some years ago.The only brass that didn't form a doughnut was remington 7-08 brass,all the other brass I had to turn the necks.
Fireforming 22-250 cases is the easiest.