Re-barrel 1895 Browning/Winchester to 6.5x55

H.W. French · October 5, 2016, 05:08 PM

I have a Browning (Miroku) 1895 lever action. It is currently chambered in .30-06. I was thinking about re-barreling it to 6.5 swede. Has anyone attempted this? Doesn't seem like there would be much problem with the bolt face or magazine. My Google Fu has not worked on this particular combo.

**4V50 Gary** · October 5, 2016, 08:50 PM

Check a reloading manual for:

Bolt face diameter
cartridge length

dakota.potts · October 5, 2016, 11:44 PM

From some really cursory research:

Bolt head diameter should be fine. Some European ammo is apparently a larger bolt head (.480 vs .473) but your bolt head may have enough clearance to use both types comfortably. You should be able to check this with a 6.5 case and your bolt (although I'm not overly familiar with the 1895 to know how straightforward the process would be).

According to really quick Google data, there is roughly a .200" difference in case length which could cause magazine feeding issues.

I don't see that there would be any problems with pressure, especially with common sporting loads that are known to be a relatively mild pressure.

With that said, have you considered a 6.5-06?

All of the above is speculation on my part based on some real short research, but I wouldn't feel bad about the chances of such a conversion working out.

The 1895 is a very cool rifle indeed. I'd like to see the conversion if it's successful.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, in my searches I found a Tikka T3 magazine for sale for use with cartridges in the .30-06 family but they also listed 6.5X55 as one of the compatible cartridges.

Scorch · October 6, 2016, 12:47 AM

Should be no problem, but you will likely have to put in shoulder stops in the magazine. You can braze or solder in a wire down each side of the mag just ahead of where the cartridge shoulder is to keep the rounds from moving forward under recoil.

kraigwy · October 6, 2016, 09:26 AM

'06 to 6.5X55 on a SS M1895????

That sounds like a winner to me. I love the rifle and the 6.5,

I just checked the scamatics of the Browning Lever '95. They do have a treaded action/barrel.

It would be a simple project. All you would need is a reamer and headspace gages. And a method of threading the barrel shank (lathe).

F. Guffey · October 6, 2016, 10:21 AM

https://www.americanrifleman.org/art...5-a-look-back/

F. Guffey

H.W. French · October 6, 2016, 02:28 PM

Thanks for the input. I got the rifle because I like the 1895's funky action and was looking for something that I could use on White Tail and Muleys. I'm close to elk country so that's not entirely out of the question, but I prefer quarry that's a bit easier to pack out. I looked at a 6.5 Swede bolt gun but in the end early 20th century "western romanticism" won out. Since it's pretty much an iron site only proposition the high octane rounds seem kinda moot, not to mention completely incompatible with that steel butt plate. I plink way more than hunt so for now it sees mostly light loads. I don't handload (yet) so it looks like the 6.5-06 is out. Just figured the '95 in 6.5x55 could be the best of both worlds.
While it does seem fairly straight forward, the work is above my level of comfort. I will look into the issue of magazine compatibility. I am in southern ID and will have to farm out the work.

Wyosmith · October 6, 2016, 02:53 PM

How about a 270?
Winchester made some in that caliber. I have one. I like it (other than the stupid 'lawyer-proof safety") But zeroed at 250 yards I can hold my front bead on a deer or antelope to any range that the buck-horn and bead sights will allow, and squeeze. My old eyes will not allow me to shoot buck-horns past about 350 anyway, so with the flat shooting 270 I don't hold up at all on any game.
If they are past 350 years I don't fire, and if they are 350 or closer I just hold on the chest. I like it a lot. So far I have never needed a 2nd shot.

H.W. French · October 7, 2016, 02:47 PM

The .270 is not off the table. I've actually considered it before. I plan to augment the buckhorns with a repro Climbin' Lyman. All this "trouble" when it's a perfectly fine .30-06

.

Pathfinder45 · October 7, 2016, 03:26 PM

Now you're starting to think reasonably. The whole idea was ridiculous to begin with. The 30-'06 has been taking deer with commendable efficiency for well over a century.

James K · October 8, 2016, 10:12 PM

There is nothing wrong with the 6.5x55, but there is not enough advantage over the .30-'06 to make converting that rifle worth while. A simple bolt action conversion might be OK, but that 1895 is not easy to work on and the differences might make the whole project a real PITA and ruin a good rifle to boot. I am rather glad you chose to back off on that one.

Jim

T. O'Heir · October 9, 2016, 01:29 PM

The Swede's case head diameter is .480". Vs the .473" of the '06. Case lengths are .329" in favour of the '06.
6.5 max load pressures are around 45,000 vs the 58,000ish for the '06.
Suspect the real issue would be finding a barrel unless 'cu$tom' is ok with your budget. Douglas makes a 6.5 x 55 chambered barrel though. So does Shilen.

Wyosmith · October 9, 2016, 02:16 PM

I have re-barreled three 95s in the past. Two in 338/06 an one in 35 Whelen. It is not really any more difficult than re-barreling a Springfield 1903 or a Mosin/Nagant. And if you copy the barrel contour of the 30-06 you don't harm the future value of the rifle because you need only swap out the barrel for the original. No modification are done to the original parts at all.

On all 3 of the barrels I did I installed scout mounts and scopes, so there was no rear sight to deal with. It would not be hard to install irons if you wanted them however.

But given that you can buy a 270, which shoots flatter than the 6.5 Swede, I personally can't see any advantage to doing the job over just buying the 270.

And as was stated above, there is nothing at all wrong with the grand old 30-06 anyway.

The only reason I can see for a re-barrel job is more power, not less. And in 99% of the cases, you'd never need more power than you can have with the 30-06 anyway.

Custom work is sometimes done because of a need or perceived need, but in most cases, custom work is done for the most important reason of all.

Because we want.

Gunplummer · October 9, 2016, 04:11 PM

Times have changed, I guess. Years ago the reason for a lot of re-barrels was ammunition availability. But, with the magnum craze over the years, I can see your point.

Gaucho Gringo · October 11, 2016, 07:51 PM

I wonder how they shot in 7.62X54R? Over half of them ever manufactured were in this chambering for Russia in WW1. Probably close to 30.06 since they are very similar cartridges. I wonder how they held up using the steel cased 7.62X54R cartridge? Anyone ever own or shoot one on this forum? Don't mean to hijack your post but this thread got my curiosity ramped up.

Wyosmith · October 11, 2016, 09:21 PM

They were very good rifles and very smooth in 7.62X54R.
Steel case ammo was not made in the days of the Czar however.
It was all brass.

smarquez · October 11, 2016, 09:42 PM

Winchester and Remington brass are .473 case head so that is not a real problem.
That would be a sweet shooting lever rifle.

October 5, 2016, 05:08 PM	#1
H.W. French Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2009 Location: Blue Ridge Plateau Posts: 151	Re-barrel 1895 Browning/Winchester to 6.5x55 I have a Browning (Miroku) 1895 lever action. It is currently chambered in .30-06. I was thinking about re-barreling it to 6.5 swede. Has anyone attempted this? Doesn't seem like there would be much problem with the bolt face or magazine. My Google Fu has not worked on this particular combo.

October 5, 2016, 08:50 PM	#2
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	Check a reloading manual for: Bolt face diameter cartridge length __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 5, 2016, 11:44 PM	#3
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	From some really cursory research: Bolt head diameter should be fine. Some European ammo is apparently a larger bolt head (.480 vs .473) but your bolt head may have enough clearance to use both types comfortably. You should be able to check this with a 6.5 case and your bolt (although I'm not overly familiar with the 1895 to know how straightforward the process would be). According to really quick Google data, there is roughly a .200" difference in case length which could cause magazine feeding issues. I don't see that there would be any problems with pressure, especially with common sporting loads that are known to be a relatively mild pressure. With that said, have you considered a 6.5-06? All of the above is speculation on my part based on some real short research, but I wouldn't feel bad about the chances of such a conversion working out. The 1895 is a very cool rifle indeed. I'd like to see the conversion if it's successful. EDIT: Forgot to mention, in my searches I found a Tikka T3 magazine for sale for use with cartridges in the .30-06 family but they also listed 6.5X55 as one of the compatible cartridges. __________________ Certified Gunsmith (On Hiatus) Certified Armorer - H&K and Glock Among Others You can find my writings at my website, pottsprecision.com. Last edited by dakota.potts; October 6, 2016 at 02:18 AM.

October 6, 2016, 12:47 AM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Should be no problem, but you will likely have to put in shoulder stops in the magazine. You can braze or solder in a wire down each side of the mag just ahead of where the cartridge shoulder is to keep the rounds from moving forward under recoil. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

October 6, 2016, 09:26 AM	#5
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	'06 to 6.5X55 on a SS M1895???? That sounds like a winner to me. I love the rifle and the 6.5, I just checked the scamatics of the Browning Lever '95. They do have a treaded action/barrel. It would be a simple project. All you would need is a reamer and headspace gages. And a method of threading the barrel shank (lathe). __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071 Last edited by kraigwy; October 6, 2016 at 09:35 AM.

October 6, 2016, 10:21 AM	#6
F. Guffey Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Posts: 7,249	https://www.americanrifleman.org/art...5-a-look-back/ F. Guffey

October 6, 2016, 02:28 PM	#7
H.W. French Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2009 Location: Blue Ridge Plateau Posts: 151	Thanks for the input. I got the rifle because I like the 1895's funky action and was looking for something that I could use on White Tail and Muleys. I'm close to elk country so that's not entirely out of the question, but I prefer quarry that's a bit easier to pack out. I looked at a 6.5 Swede bolt gun but in the end early 20th century "western romanticism" won out. Since it's pretty much an iron site only proposition the high octane rounds seem kinda moot, not to mention completely incompatible with that steel butt plate. I plink way more than hunt so for now it sees mostly light loads. I don't handload (yet) so it looks like the 6.5-06 is out. Just figured the '95 in 6.5x55 could be the best of both worlds. While it does seem fairly straight forward, the work is above my level of comfort. I will look into the issue of magazine compatibility. I am in southern ID and will have to farm out the work.

October 6, 2016, 02:53 PM	#8
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	How about a 270? Winchester made some in that caliber. I have one. I like it (other than the stupid 'lawyer-proof safety") But zeroed at 250 yards I can hold my front bead on a deer or antelope to any range that the buck-horn and bead sights will allow, and squeeze. My old eyes will not allow me to shoot buck-horns past about 350 anyway, so with the flat shooting 270 I don't hold up at all on any game. If they are past 350 years I don't fire, and if they are 350 or closer I just hold on the chest. I like it a lot. So far I have never needed a 2nd shot.

October 7, 2016, 02:47 PM	#9
H.W. French Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2009 Location: Blue Ridge Plateau Posts: 151	The .270 is not off the table. I've actually considered it before. I plan to augment the buckhorns with a repro Climbin' Lyman. All this "trouble" when it's a perfectly fine .30-06.

October 7, 2016, 03:26 PM	#10
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	Now you're starting to think reasonably. The whole idea was ridiculous to begin with. The 30-'06 has been taking deer with commendable efficiency for well over a century.

October 8, 2016, 10:12 PM	#11
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	There is nothing wrong with the 6.5x55, but there is not enough advantage over the .30-'06 to make converting that rifle worth while. A simple bolt action conversion might be OK, but that 1895 is not easy to work on and the differences might make the whole project a real PITA and ruin a good rifle to boot. I am rather glad you chose to back off on that one. Jim

October 9, 2016, 01:29 PM	#12
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	The Swede's case head diameter is .480". Vs the .473" of the '06. Case lengths are .329" in favour of the '06. 6.5 max load pressures are around 45,000 vs the 58,000ish for the '06. Suspect the real issue would be finding a barrel unless 'cu$tom' is ok with your budget. Douglas makes a 6.5 x 55 chambered barrel though. So does Shilen. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

October 9, 2016, 02:16 PM	#13
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	I have re-barreled three 95s in the past. Two in 338/06 an one in 35 Whelen. It is not really any more difficult than re-barreling a Springfield 1903 or a Mosin/Nagant. And if you copy the barrel contour of the 30-06 you don't harm the future value of the rifle because you need only swap out the barrel for the original. No modification are done to the original parts at all. On all 3 of the barrels I did I installed scout mounts and scopes, so there was no rear sight to deal with. It would not be hard to install irons if you wanted them however. But given that you can buy a 270, which shoots flatter than the 6.5 Swede, I personally can't see any advantage to doing the job over just buying the 270. And as was stated above, there is nothing at all wrong with the grand old 30-06 anyway. The only reason I can see for a re-barrel job is more power, not less. And in 99% of the cases, you'd never need more power than you can have with the 30-06 anyway. Custom work is sometimes done because of a need or perceived need, but in most cases, custom work is done for the most important reason of all. Because we want.

October 9, 2016, 04:11 PM	#14
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	Times have changed, I guess. Years ago the reason for a lot of re-barrels was ammunition availability. But, with the magnum craze over the years, I can see your point.

October 11, 2016, 07:51 PM	#15
Gaucho Gringo Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 366	I wonder how they shot in 7.62X54R? Over half of them ever manufactured were in this chambering for Russia in WW1. Probably close to 30.06 since they are very similar cartridges. I wonder how they held up using the steel cased 7.62X54R cartridge? Anyone ever own or shoot one on this forum? Don't mean to hijack your post but this thread got my curiosity ramped up. __________________ 357 Taurus Gaucho, 22 Heritage RR, 2-Pietta 1858 44 NMA Remingtons, Pietta, Euroarms & ASM 36 1851 Navies, 31 Uberti 1849, 12 ga H&R Topper, 16 Ga Western Field, 43 Spanish Remington Rolling Block, 44 ASM Colt Walker, High Point C9 9mm, Winchester 1906 22, Rossi 62 22 rifle, Uberti 1860, H&A & IJ 32 S&W BreakTop, 36 Euroarms 1858, 32 H&R 04, 22mag NAA SS BP revolver, .44 Rodgers & Spencer, IJ 38 S&W BreakTop, IJ 22 Sealed 8

October 11, 2016, 09:21 PM	#16
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	They were very good rifles and very smooth in 7.62X54R. Steel case ammo was not made in the days of the Czar however. It was all brass.

October 11, 2016, 09:42 PM	#17
smarquez Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2011 Posts: 135	Winchester and Remington brass are .473 case head so that is not a real problem. That would be a sweet shooting lever rifle.