Rebarrel my model 11 or find a donor action for a 6.5 build?

[Newtosavage]

I recently bought a model 11 in .308 that I worked up some hand loads for, specifically for deer season. Once deer season is over, I'd like to try my hand at "building" a range gun in 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x55 Swede or .260.

For the 6.5 Creedmoor and .260, I can use my action and just rebarrel what I have, but I think for the 6.5x55 Swede, I'd need a long action. The other day, I found a used Stevens 30-06 that I think I can get for $300. If I rebarrel that to 6.5x55, I figure I'll have to put about $700 total in the build, and I'll still have a 30-06 barrel if I ever need it.

Or for about half that price, I can rebarrel my 11 to either 6.5 Creedmoor or .260.

What would you do, and why?

[shagerott]

What resources, brass, dies do you already own? I inherited 6.5x55 from family so I went long action. I found a pawn shop deal and an ER Shaw barrel, total package cost just under $400. I got reloading components and dies no cost. If I didn't have those options and only owned a SA model 10/11 I would have gone 260 Rem. Converting 308 surplus brass to 260.

[wbm]

If you had a long action I would go with a 6.5x55. Since you already have a short action I would probably go with the 260 in an AI or the Creedmoor if you go with a 26" barrel.

[Newtosavage]

I'm handloading with the Lee (whack a mole) loader. Thought about getting a press and full length sizing die, but don't really want to go the whole tumbler/case lube route. I'm limited in space in my workshop, so the Lee Loader and a few accessories (hand primer, case trimmer, etc.) work well for me since they all fit in a little toolbox under my bench. That's why I'm thinking 6.5x55, since Lee makes a hand loader for that, and I kinda like the history behind that round.

If I go 6.5 Creedmoor or .260, I can rebarrel what I have, but then I have to get a press and dies and the reloading will be a little more of a hassle for me.

As for converting surplus .308 brass to .260, is that difficult to do? Do you need anything more than a full length sizing die in a press, and possibly a trimmer, to do that?

[ninner]

If your going to use it as a bench gun just modify the one you have and single feed if necessary. If you like it spend the extra money on a long action and build from there.

[Robinhood]

Buy the stevens and go sweede. Then you have one of the best 6.5's around. Save the SA for another project. You might end up wanting to shoot FTR and go with a 308 or 223.

[darkker]

308 military brass to 260 is a FL size and trim. Don't forget to check for primer crimps. Which is really about all it takes for 308 to Creed. Lots of us early adopters had to do something for Creed brass. Trim the 308 brass to Creed length and then resize.