Vol423,
Unless the 6.5 barrel is completely corroded, I highly recommend using it "as is". The 6.5x58R S&S is a neat little cartridge (6.5x 48R S&S too) and is well worth saving. In mine, I find the rifling very shallow, but it works. It (and the 6.5x48R S&S) use a .261" bullet instead of .264". It is pretty easy to re-size .264" bullets to .261". I use 90 grain varmint bullets and 95 grain game bullets because 123 grain round nose bullets are not available and 129grain spitzer bullets would be too long. Anyway, increased velocity by virtue of the lighter bullets is a bonus. If you just want a 22 Mag. the short normal ELs in my drillings work very well on bobcat and racoon size animals. BYTW, Osker on this board finds the 6.5x58R S&S very good on Coyotes. I wouldn't be afraid to use it on Whitetails within reasonable range.
Mike
