Can you rechamber a .270 WSM to 6.8 by shortening the shank/chamber end and running a finish reamer?

[can1010]

270WSM brass made by ADG, Nosler and Norma.

and all three are available for use in 6.8 western with Nosler and Norma needing fireforming

 

[FEENIX]

I built my 270WSM with a 7 Twist! Personally though I'd just buy a new barrel and start from scratch. I built my 270WSM with a 7 twist and had it done with a total of .200 Freebore.

270WSM brass made by ADG, Nosler and Norma.

I contemplated building the .270 WSM in 2012 but went with the .270 AI instead, partly due to the brass shortage at the time. In addition, it is my first Ackley. I prefer the .270 WSM over the 6.8 Western, especially now that the brass selection is significantly better. My .270 AI is 1:8" (the fastest twist available at the time); 1:7" is the way to go.

 

[JAYgs8163]

and all three are available for use in 6.8 western with Nosler and Norma needing fireforming

None needed to fire form in 270WSM

 

[fseaman]

Thanks everyone. The twist is the reason why a new barrel is the better choice... I should have thought a little more.

There is no "should have"

Glad the banter sparked thought. Here is an additional idea if you reload.

With a new barrel, you can get a faster twist, say 7t or 8T, and stay with the 270 WSM and use all the same reloading tools and supplies.

 

[JAYgs8163]

There is no "should have"

Glad the banter sparked thought. Here is an additional idea if you reload.

With a new barrel, you can get a faster twist, say 7t or 8T, and stay with the 270 WSM and use all the same reloading tools and supplies.

I built mine with .200 Freebore and it's a hammer.

 

[Jim’s Hunt]

I would say yes by taking of about 1/4" of tenon rethreading a rechamber with a long throat. I just don't see any benefit in doing so. But it is your rifle and your dollar

 

[Hudge76]

There is no "should have"

Glad the banter sparked thought. Here is an additional idea if you reload.

With a new barrel, you can get a faster twist, say 7t or 8T, and stay with the 270 WSM and use all the same reloading tools and supplies.

This would be the route I would go. I have rifles in .270 WSM and 6.8 Western. The better bang for the buck is more free bore and a faster twist barreled 270 WSM.

 

[Morrison]

The reason that they are 2 different "Calibers" is the twist rate of the barrel. If you want a 6.8 - change the barrel.
You can load the heavy bullets in the 270 WSM cartridge but the twist rate is designed for the 140 through 160
grain bullets.

 

[JAYgs8163]

The reason that they are 2 different "Calibers" is the twist rate of the barrel. If you want a 6.8 - change the barrel.
You can load the heavy bullets in the 270 WSM cartridge but the twist rate is designed for the 140 through 160
grain bullets.

Delete

 

[Ronald W Schaefer]

As I see it, the advantage the 6.8 has over the 270 WSM is the ability to stabilize heavier bullets. Your finished product would be a 6.8 Western with a 1/10 twist.

Exactly this. Just get a 6.8 Western and be done with it and keep or sell the .270 WSM--you can never have too many guns and no reason to mess up a perfectly fine .270 WSM. My 6.8 Fierce Carbon Rage has a 1/7 twist barrel specifically to handle the 165 NABLR, 170 EOL and 175 STGK bullets. You won't really have a 6.8 W without that fast screw pipe.

 

[Sockeye66]

How do you know it's a 10twist?

I didn't really know, just an assumption based on standard twist rate for .270 WSM.

 

[can1010]

None needed to fire form in 270WSM

the 5 degree shoulder and couple thousands dia. is so small it is no different than fireforming any new brass to fit your chamber. to be honest the difference with factory ammo is minimal between the two that for short action and high bc bullets the 6.8 is the better choice. the only advantage the 270wsm has is reloads on as long action and even then, the advantage is minimal if reloading both to the upper limits.