Donor action length

[CAhunter]

I have a Remington 700 varmint rifle chambered in .204. I was considering using the action as a donor and having a gunsmith re-barrel the rifle in 6 or 6.5 Creedmoor, something I could still hunt coyotes but also use for deer and antelope. A short action round though. My question is, is the action long enough? It’s just another short action, correct? Thanks for any input

 

[204guy]

The action is long enough, but it's a .384 bolt face you need a .470 BF for the creed and most medium capacity SA rounds. You'd also need new mag box and follower. A gunsmith could open up the BF but you'd likely be better off selling the whole rifle or the barreled action and starting with a new action.

 

[Wapiti1]

Yes, it is a standard short action. Remington makes 3 actions lengths, the long and short model 700 and the shorter model 7. Both the Model 7 and short Model 700 will handle a 6.5 Creedmoor.

Keep in mind you will either need a new bolt, or your gunsmith will be opening the bolt face. Most of the time, that means a Sako or M16 style extractor if the bolt face is opened up. I don't know many gunsmiths that machine the bolt face for the Remington extractor after they open one up. It is kind of a PITA to set up the mill to cut the Remington extractor groove and you need to make a custom woodruff cutter.

Jeremy

 

[CAhunter]

Thank you for the help.

 

[rayporter]

once you start down this road a custom action will look tempting as all get out. especially if you sell this one and put the money toward the custom.