WHAT DO I DO? Please help!!

[3-0-hate]

So, I have a M98 (VZ24) action laying around.. The barrel is basically junk. Its a shot out Parker-Hale 7.62x51 in 14:1 twist.. Shoots minute of pie plate at 100 yards anymore.

My question that I pose to you lot is as follows:

Do I spend ~$300 re-barreling it into .308 again, using a Midway USA special Green Mountain barrel (1:10 twist). Its a short-chambered barrel, so I can do this work myself in my garage using a pull through finish reamer and a set of Go/No-Go gauges.. I already have dies and bullets and so on for .308.. The money I save now can likely be used for optics later. (the gun is currently optically naked)

OR...

Do I spend ~$700 and send it to a smith to do what I REALLY want and have a top-shelf barrel makers tube installed in 6.5x55 swede? A smith will have to do this work as the bolt face will have to be opened up a proverbial cunt-hair to accept the slightly larger case rim, and while its there I can have some other small things done as well, things that could be improved, but aren't that big of a deal.

I will be using the gun for the odd tactical match here and there, as well as my own enjoyment out on the range shooting at ranges of 200-1000 yards. I can already hammer the 1k steel on my range as it is with my .308 R700, but it would be nice to not have to fight the wind quite so much utilizing the 6.5 with its better cross-sectional density, better B.C., ect..

So should I spend the big bucks and get what I really want, or spend a little and make it a shooter again for now and save the expensive stuff for later?

PLEASE HELP!

 

[Blanman]

Get what you really want, you'll only be wishing for it if you go the other path and eventually go with it anyway, costing more in the long run...at least that's how I am anyway haha

 

[tigerfan_9]

Get what you really want, you'll only be wishing for it if you go the other path and eventually go with it anyway, costing more in the long run...at least that's how I am anyway haha

This ^^^^^

 

[neeley205]

Just now I was able to find several different types of decent 6.5x55 in stock for around $20 for 20, some privi match even less. Now try to do that with .308.
Right now I can find 6.5 bullets all over the place, in stock for normal prices. . . good ones even: 140 Amax, 130 berger VLD, Sierra 142SMK. . . have fun doing that right now with .308.

I have always been happier with my 6.5 rifle, and have not missed my .308 yet. but the events of late really solidified my affinity.

 

[Flying Goose]

I'm speaking for experience right now... I can't find good .308 anywhere and I my current house it too small to set up the reload stuff so its at my father in laws. If you really want to do the 6.5 transformation do that. You'll get the round you want and you can find ammo and a normal price. The difference cost wise isn't that much in the grand scheme and unless I mis-understood you already have a .308 on hand. Either way enjoy!

 

[LRJammer]

If you really want and can use the range of the 6.5 Swede, just get a 260. It is just a modern more efficient version of it with readily available brass.

 

[asper]

Just go for what you want. Spend the extra money and get the 6.5.

 

[Doeboy]

I would vote 6.5 too as of now 308 components, good one are hard to come buy, guys are hoarding it up like crazy!!

 

[McCrazy]

6.5 for sure. As has been suggested, look at the other 6.5s as well unless you are dead set on the 6.5x55. The .260, 6.5x47, and 6.5 Creedmore are all great rounds although I assume you want something of the long action variety. .284 is another option, even 7-08 would give you better performance than the .308

 

[sib1948]

Hell yes. Get what you want. That's what makes life fun as long as you can afford it. Sounds like you're already proficient in 308 and new challenges are what makes this sport interesting.

 

[30calDeath]

This ^^^^^

x2....I say this because I spent a LOT of dough on my first real rifle....I could have gone cheaper on pretty much everything and still achieved the same goal. When the AR scare came as of late I could have sold my gasser for a really good amount but I dint because I didnt feel like I needed the $ that bad plus I loved/still love the gasser that much. So basically with all this drunk rambling that I am doing means just get what you want you will end up doing it at some point and costing you even more money than you had originally planned.

 

[tigerfan_9]

I would add like others to go with the 260 for the sake of reloading options.

 

[sgtnick]

Get what ya want !!

 

[Goatman007]

Get what you want right off the git-go, I am reminded of my quest for an assault rifle during the 80's, Started off with a Marlin Camp carbine in 9mm, the rounds kept popping out the top of the mags, so I traded for a mini-14, mags were $35 a crack at the time, Ar-15 mags- $5, Mini went down the road and a Colt H-Bar is now in the rack, expensive lesson. I excel at selling for less than I paid. LOL

 

[SuburbanHick]

i stuck with the 308 just because its cheap and accurate..... alot easier to find.... its like the proverbial ferrari vs corvette... sure they would be nice to have. and they both will get the job done in basically the same mannor... but wich one can you drive more often???

but then you come across the want vs need argument.... the way i look at it is, i can shoot my 308 a shit ton more

 

[Jedi]

First most domestic swede brass ie Win run standard case head
ONLY the import euro brass lapua etc have the weird (correct) case head size

Skip the swede and run a 6.5CM and do the work your self

Check some domestic 6.5x55 brass for function, betting its a non issue

proceed how ya see fit

 

[Queequeg]

I suggest you reach deeper and go long!

Nothing wrong with the Swede but since you are already used to the .308 in the long action 98, why not go with one of the short action 6.5s which are more likely to be as available as match loads than the Swede, like the .260 or the 6.5 CM.

Of course, it becomes more academic if you relaod.

 

[Backspace]

Buy once cry once. Even if the budget route shoots good, you will still have that thought in the back of your mind of what if. If you already have the 308 you like, get something else you want. At least you wont have to say what if.

 

[3-0-hate]

Thanks all for the comments. Keep em coming.. Im still deciding.

Main reason for the 6.5 Swede option vs. 260, 6.5CM, 6.5x47 etc is working pressures. Its an old action and I want to stress it as little as possible while still getting as much performance as possible out of it. 6.5 Swede seems to fit the bill nicely.

Reloading with quality brass (Lapua) is likely my only option if I go the Swede route. Not because I have to, but more because I want to. lol

 

[Pusher591]

This ^^^^^

2x's This ^^^^

 

[Avgjoe]

Do it how you want it the first time. Then enjoy it!

Mike

 

[tigerfan_9]

Thanks all for the comments. Keep em coming.. Im still deciding.

Main reason for the 6.5 Swede option vs. 260, 6.5CM, 6.5x47 etc is working pressures. Its an old action and I want to stress it as little as possible while still getting as much performance as possible out of it. 6.5 Swede seems to fit the bill nicely.

Reloading with quality brass (Lapua) is likely my only option if I go the Swede route. Not because I have to, but more because I want to. lol

Sounds like a good plan. I had a similar debate on my fist/only build and I'm glad I went 260 over 308. It is too much time and money to have that regret. Good luck.

 

[medium rare]

Get the swede. You already have a 308 and the 6.5s are awesome. The lapua brass for the swede is very reasonably priced.

 

[10generation]

Its a mauser action, I'd build a 6.5 swede or a 7x57(.275 Rigby) on it. Classic action = classic caliber. These cartridges are proven, they are the ballistic parent of the .260 and 7mm08, but not everyone has one today, which I like.

 

[crocker84]

You only live once. Go for it.

 

[samnev]

Get what you really want, you'll only be wishing for it if you go the other path and eventually go with it anyway, costing more in the long run...at least that's how I am anyway haha

Same advise here. When faced with the same type of choice and didn't go with what I really wanted I have always regretted it and on several occasions ended up buying twice.

 

[komishe]

I love my .308
I get better hits in the wind with my 6.5 Creedmoor

I don't shoot the .308 as much anymore...................

 

[gary0529]

Life is too short to settle for what you really don't want.
Get the Swede or whatever turns your crank.
Like the Jamaican guy used to sing"don't worry, be happy"
You can ALWAYS find another 308. I suspect that after this crap we are living through passes, there will be oooodles of 308's for sale.

Gary

 

[Gildoom]

With the ammo shortages, that 6.5x55 swede looks like the way to go for me. I've been trying to find a rifle that is not stupid expensive and will allow me to shoot it like a moron for hours. I think you should do what the others suggested.

Do what YOU want. If you half ass it, you will know it, and it will bug you like a mother in law late for dinner.

 

[Shooter McGavin]

I voted to go with the Swede. It's what you want and it's fun to shoot.

 

[3-0-hate]

Ok, ok, ok... I will get the swede barrel.. It's a no brainer when all is said and done..

 

[derrekmorehead]

+1 for doing it the way you really want the FIRST TIME! Don't regret a hasty decision that will cost more later!