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Bolt Face & Action Database

August 29, 2020 by AJ 8 Comments

With new calibers and cartridges popping up almost weekly, as so many gunsmiths and precision rifle builders want to improve on designs, re-barreling and chamber change of rifles is becoming much more common. The main question for shooters that want to re-barrel and re chamber their rifles to a new caliber or cartridge, is firstly if the new cartridge base will fit in and extract with the current bolt face, secondly if the new cartridge will fit in the action and cycle out of the magazine, and lastly what other if any custom work needs to be done either to the bolt or the action.

We have found quite a few smaller fragmented resources showing pieces of the information needed in various forums and chat groups on the internet and social networks, but decided to compile a larger database or type of bolt face diameter database in one spot, for all to see and learn from, and will periodically update the database as we learn of new calibers and cartridges becoming available and popular. One resource showing all the bolt face diameter sizes for the different calibers and cartridges.

bolt face database

If you disagree with anything listed in this database, or want to add anything new to it, please do go ahead and contact us with your recommendations for changes or additions as we are also still in the ongoing learning process and appreciate any feedback and information we can find.

The first database or bolt face diameter chart, is of the Various cartridges that can work with the same bolt faces and action lengths. There are basically four main bolt face diameters and two action lengths that cover most cartridges, with just a few falling outside of those. Generally short-action would be suitable for cartridges with a COAL of 2.3 – 2.8 inches, long-action would be suitable for cartridges with a COAL of 2.8 – 3.34 inches and magnum-action would be suitable for cartridges with a COAL of 3.34 inches and longer.

Bolt Face Database

Bolt Face Diameter (inches)CaliberAction Length
.318 +/-5.7×28Short Action
.384 +/-17 RemShort Action
.384 +/-204 RugerShort Action
.384 +/-222 RemShort Action
.384 +/-223 RemShort Action
.384 +/- 350 LegendShort Action
.384 +/-20 NoslerShort Action
.384 +/-22 NoslerShort Action
.384 +/-24 NoslerShort Action
.384 +/-300 AAC BlackoutShort Action
.427 +/-224 ValkyrieShort Action
.427 +/-6.8mm Remington SPCShort Action
.445 +/-6mm PPCShort Action
.445 +/-6mm ARCShort Action
.445 +/-6.5 GrendelShort Action
.445 +/-7.62x39mmShort Action
.470 +/-220 SwiftShort Action
.470 +/-225 WinShort Action
.470 +/-22-250 RemShort Action
.470 +/-22 CreedmoorShort Action
.470 +/-22XCShort Action
.470 +/-22 GTShort Action
.470 +/-22×47 LapuaShort Action
.470 +/-243 WinShort Action
.470 +/-250 SavageShort Action
.470 +/-260 RemShort Action
.470 +/-6mm Norma BRShort Action
.470 +/-6mm CreedmoorShort Action
.470 +/-6mm XCShort Action
.470 +/-6mm GTShort Action
.470 +/-6×47 LapuaShort Action
.470 +/-6mm Super LRShort Action
.470 +/-6mm-284Short Action
.470 +/-6.5/284 NormaShort Action
.470 +/-6.5mm CreedmoorShort Action
.470 +/-6.5×47 LapuaShort Action
.470 +/-7mm-08 RemShort Action
.470 +/-7mm SAWShort Action
.470 +/-270-08Short Action
.470 +/-270 ReddingShort Action
.470 +/-270 Sig FuryShort Action
.470 +/-284 winShort Action
.470 +/-300 SavageShort Action
.470 +/-308 WinShort Action
.470 +/-338 FederalShort Action
.470 +/-8.6 BlackoutShort Action
.470 +/-35 RemShort Action
.470 +/-358 WinchesterShort Action
.540+/-223 WSSMShort Action
.540+/-243 WSSMShort Action
.540+/-25 WSSMShort Action
.540+/-270 WSMShort Action
.540+/-6.5 x 300 WeatherbyShort Action
.540+/-6.5 PRCShort Action
.540+/-6.5mm GAP 4S (SAUM)Short Action*(See note below)
.540+/-7mm Rem saumShort Action
.540+/-7mm WSMShort Action
.540+/-300 Rem saumShort Action
.540+/-300 WSMShort Action
.540+/-325 WSMShort Action
.540+/-350 Rem MagShort Action
.470 +/-6mm RemLong Action
.470 +/-240 Weatherby MagLong Action
.470 +/-257 RobertsLong Action
.470 +/-25-06 RemLong Action
.470 +/-6.5×55 SwedishLong Action
.470 +/-6.5-06 A-SquareLong Action
.470 +/-270 WinLong Action
.470 +/-7×57 MauserLong Action
.470 +/-7×64 BrennekeLong Action
.470 +/-280 RemLong Action
.470 +/-30-06 SpringfieldLong Action
.470 +/-8mm MauserLong Action
.470 +/-338/06 A SquareLong Action
.470 +/-35 WhelenLong Action
.540 +/-257 WeatherbyLong Action
.540 +/-26 NoslerLong Action
.540 +/-264 Win MagLong Action
.540 +/-270 Weatherby MagLong Action
.540 +/-7mm Rem MagLong Action
.540 +/-7mm Weatherby MagLong Action
.540 +/-7 STWLong Action
.540 +/-28 NoslerLong Action
.540 +/-28 Sherman MagnumLong Action
.540 +/-7LRM (Long Range Magnum)Long Action
.540 +/-7mm Rem Ultra MagLong Action
.540 +/-300 H & HLong Action
.540 +/-300 Win MagLong Action
.540 +/-300 PRCLong Action
.540 +/-30 Sherman MagnumLong Action
.540 +/-300 Weatherby MagLong Action
.540 +/-300 RUMLong Action
.540 +/-303 BritLong Action
.540 +/-8mm Rem MagLong Action
.540 +/-338 Win MagLong Action
.540 +/-338 EDGELong Action
.540 +/-340 Weatherby MagLong Action
.540 +/-338 RUMLong Action
.540 +/-375 H & HLong Action
.540 +/-375 WeatherbyLong Action
.540 +/-375 RUMLong Action
.540 +/-416 Rem MagLong Action
.540 +/-458 Win MagLong Action
.540 +/-458 LottLong Action
.585 +/-300 Norma MagLong Action
.585 +/-338 Norma MagLong Action
.585 +/-30/378 WeatherbyLong Action
.585 +/-338 LapuaLong Action
.585 +/-33XCLong Action
.585 +/-338/378 WeatherbyLong Action
.585 +/-378 Weatherby magLong Action
.585 +/-37XCLong Action
.585 +/-416 RigbyLong Action
.585 +/-416 Weatherby MagLong Action
.585 +/-460 Weatherby MagLong Action
.585 +/-470 Nitro ExpressLong Action
.640375 CheyTacMagnum Action
.640408 CheyTacMagnum Action
.640505 GibbsMagnum Action

Next up is a database showing the more precise diameters of the case heads of the difference cartridges, and the COAL (cartridge overall length) most common on those cartridges.

Case Head & COAL Database

CaliberCase HeadCOAL
17 Rem.378″2.17″
17 Mach4.378″1.77″
204 Ruger.378″2.26″
22 RemJet.439″1.66″
22 Hornet.35″1.8″
22 KHornet.35″1.75″
22 Spitfire.356″1.65″
218 Bee.408″1.63″
218 Mashburn.408″1.63″
221 Fireball.378″1.84″
222 Rem.378″2.2″
222 RemMag.378″2.33″
223 Rem.378″2.3″
223 RemAI.378″2.3″
350 Legend.378″2.26″
220 Russian.441″2.07″
22 PPC.44″2.07″
.224 Valkyrie.422″2.26″
6.8mm Remington SPC.422″2.26″
219 Zipper.506″2.4″
22 BR.473″2″
225 Win473″2.43″
224 WeatherbyMag.43″2.38″
22-250 Rem.472″2.35″
22 XC.471″2.75″
22 Creedmoor.473″2.825″
22 GT.473″2.6″
220 Swift.473″2.7″
22×47 Lapua.473″2.795″
220 Redline.534″2.8″
224 Clark.473″3.08″
22 CheetahMkI.473″2.5″
223 WSSM.535″2.36″
22 SavHiPower.492″2.51″
6mm-223 Rem.378″2.26″
6mm PPC.441″2.19″
6mm ARC.441″2.26″
6mm BR.473″2.2″
6mm XC.471″2.75″
6mm GT.473″2.6″
6×47 Lapua.473″2.795″
6mm Creedmoor.473″2.825″
6mm Super LR.473″2.8″
6mm TCU.378″2.5″
6mm-284 Win.473″ (rebated)2.83″
243 Win.473″2.65″
6mm Rem.473″2.83″
240 WbyMag.473″3.08″
6.17 Spitfire.53″2.8″
243 WSSM.535″2.36″
240 Apex (BeltedNE).475″3.21″
256 WinMag.44″1.78″
25-21 Stevens.376″2.3″
25-25 Stevens.376″2.63″
25 Rem.421″2.53″
250 Sav.472″2.4″
257 Roberts.467″2.99″
25-’06 Rem.473″3.25″
25-284 Win.473″ (rebated)2.93″
257 WbyMag.53″3.3″
6.3 Scramjet.53″3.58″
6.5 Grendel.441″2.26″
6.5 Japanese.466″2.85″
6.5 Carcano.449″2.94″
6.5×54 Mann-Schoen.453″2.99″
6.5mm-257 Bob.467″2.75″
6.5×47 Lapua.473″2.795″
260 Rem.473″2.84″
6.5mm Creedmoor.473″2.825″
6.5mm GAP 4S (SAUM).534″2.85″
6.5 PRC.532″2.955″
6.5×55 Swede.476″3.03″
6.5mm-284 Win.5″2.95″
6.71 Phantom.53″2.8″
6.5mm-’06 A-Square.473″3.2″
6.5 RemMag.532″3.05″
264 WinMag.532″3.35″
26 Nosler.534″3.34″
270 Win.473″3.35″
270 WSM.535″2.86″
270 WbyMag.53″3.28″
270-08.473″2.8″
270 Redding.473″2.8″
270 Sig Fury.472″2.8″
7×33 Sako.394″1.73″
7mm TCU.378″2.68″
7mm BR.473″2.33″
7-30 Waters.506″2.55″
7mm-08 Rem.473″2.8″
7mm SAW.473″2.96″
.284 Shehane.473″2.96″
7mm SAW II.473″3.090″
7×57.473″3.02″
284 Win.473″(rebated)2.95″
7×64 Brenneke.473″3.3″
280 Rem.473″3.33″
7.21 Tomahawk.577″2.8″
7mm SAUM.534″2.84″
7mm WSM.535″2.86″
7mm RemMag.532″3.29″
7mm WbyMag.53″3.26″
7mm Practical.532″3.622″
7mm Mashburn.532″3.65″
28 Nosler.534″3.34″
7LRM (Long Range Magnum).532″3.43″
28 Sherman Magnum.532″3.7″
7mm STW.532″3.6″
7mm-300 WbyMag.532″3.72″
7mm RUM.534″3.6″
7.21 Firebird.577″3.6″
7mm Dakota.545″3.33″
28-30 Stevens.412″2.82″
7mm H&H.532″3.22″
7mm Rigby.528″3.25″
300 AAC Blackout.378″2.26″
300 Sherwood.37″2.2″
7.35 Carcano.449″2.9″
300 Whisper.378″2.26″
303 Sav.503″2.52″
300 Sav.473″2.6″
308 Win.473″2.8″
7.5×54 MAS.482″2.99″
7.5 Schmidt-Rubin.495″3.03″
30-’06 Springfield.473″3.34″
30 Gibbs.471″3.34″
300 SAUM.534″2.83″
7.82 Patriot.577″2.8″
300 WSM.535″2.86″
30-338 WinMag.532″3.34″
308 NormaMag.532″3.28″
300 H&H.532″3.65″
300 WinMag.532″3.34″
300 PRC.532″3.7″
30 Sherman Magnum.532″3.775″
300 WbyMag.53″3.56″
300 RUM.534″3.6″
300 Dakota.545″3.43″
7.82 Warbird.577″3.6″
30-378 WbyMag.603″3.67″
7.62×45 Czech.441″2.45″
7.62x39mm (AK47 Round).447″2.19″
303 Brit.525″3.08″
7.7mm Japanese.471″3.17″
7.65 ArgentineMauser.473″2.95″
310 Cadet.405″1.59″
8×57 Mauser.473″2.99″
8mm-’06 Spr.473″3.18″
8×60 S.473″3.1″
8×64 Brenneke.52″3.65″
8×64 Sauer.499″3.2″
8×68 SMag.524″3.4″
8mm RemMag.532″3.6″
318 WestleyRichards.465″3.35″
33 Jeffrey.534″3.45″
338 Federal.473″2.75″
8.6 BLK / 8.6 Creedmoor.473″2.825″
338-’06 A-Square.473″3.34″
8.59 Galaxy.577″2.8″
338 Win Mag.532″3.34″
340 Weatherby Magnum.53″3.68″
338 RUM.534″3.6″
338 Norma.588″3.60″
338 EDGE.534″3.80″
330 Dakota.545″3.33″
8.59 Titan.577″3.6″
338 Lapua Mag.588″3.68″
33XC.580″4.6″
338-378 WbyMag.603″3.76″
36 NitroExpress.48″2.98″
400-350 NE-Rigby.52″3.55″
350 RigbyMag.525″3.57″
35 Rem.46″2.51″
358 Win.473″2.78″
35 Whelen.473″3.26″
350 RemMag.532″2.93″
358 NormaMag.532″3.28″
37XC.580″4.8″
9.3×57 Mauser.469″3.23″
9.3×62 Mauser.473″3.29″
400-375 BeltedNE.466″3″
375 H&H.532″3.6″
375 Ruger.532″3.34″
376 Steyr.504″3.11″
375 WbyMag.53″3.69″
375 Rum.535″3.6″
375 Dakota.545″3.33″
378 WbyMag.603″3.65″
375 RimlessNE2-1/4.473″2.94″
10.15×61 Jarmann.615″3.06″
404 Basic.542″3.6″
416 Taylor.532″3.38″
416 RemMag.532″3.6″
10.57Meteor.577″3.62″
416 Dakota.545″3.65″
500-416 RimlessNE.59″3.91″
416 WbyMag.603″3.75″
416 Rigby.59″3.75″
404 Jeffreys.537″3.53″
10.75×68 Mauser.492″3.16″
425 WestleyRichards.467″3.3″
11.2×72 Schuler.536″3.85″
11.75×36 Montenegrin.555″1.73″
43 Mauser.586″3″
458 WinMag.532″3.3″
458 Lott.532″3.6″
450 Dakota.582″3.74″
460 WbyMag.603″3.71″
461 Gibbs.626″3.85″
470 Capstick.532″3.6″
50 Beowulf.445″2.24″
505 Gibbs.64″3.75″
500 Jeffrey.615″3.5″
50 BMG.804″5.45″
585 Nyati.66″3.53″
600-577 Rewa.66″3.7″

FAQ for Bolt Face Diameters

What Calibers Use a .308 Bolt Face?

As the .308 Winchester cartridge uses the .470 +/- bolt face, all of the other calibers and cartridges listed on the bolt face chart above, with the .470 +/- bolt face diameter, use the same bolt face as the .308 Winchester.


What Bolt Face is a 6.5 Creedmoor?

As can be seen on the bolt face database chart at the top op this page. The 6.5mm Creedmoor uses the same .470 +/- bolt face as the .308 Winchester cartridge.


What is the Bolt Face?

The bolt face is the surface of the rifle bolt, that makes contact with the cartridge case head. It also usually hold the cartridge in position inside a rifle action, and usually has a ejector pin that ejects the empty fired cartridge case, after the shot has been fired. In center fire rifles, the firing pin comes through a hole in the bolt face, to strike the primer in the cartridge case which sets of the propellant to fire the bullet.


Will a 308 Action Work for 6.5 Creedmoor?

As both the .308 Winchester and the 6.5mm Creedmoor cartridges work in short actions, and use the same .470 +/- bolt face, a .308 Winchester action or rifle will work with a barrel chambered for 6.5mm Creedmoor cartridges.


What Bolt Face is .22-250?

.22-250 Remington cartridge uses a .470 +/- bolt face.


What Bolt Face is 6.5 PRC?

The 6.5 PRC cartridge has a .532″ case head and uses the .540 +/- standard magnum bolt face.


What calibers can a 30-06 be converted to?

As the .30-06 Springfield has a .473″ case head and uses the .470 +/- bolt face, any cartridges list on the above two bolt face diameter and action length database charts above, that also use the .470 +/- bolt face, and have a COAL of 3.34″ or shorter, will work with .30-06 actions. However, it is a waste of space to use short action cartridges in long actions.


What calibers use a 308 case?

The .308 Winchester is the parent case to familiar cartridges like the .243 Winchester, .260 Remington, 7mm-08 Remington, .338 Federal, ..358 Winchester and all their associate wildcat cartridges and calibers developed from them.


*6.5 GAP 4S or 6.5 SAUM Short Action?

Generally the 6.5mm GAP 4S cartridges will fit in a short action, but with the newer and longer bullets like the Berger 156gr EOL Hunter and Berger 140gr EH or similar which offer much greater BC and weight, if they are loaded long enough to properly use the case capacity and correct placement of boat tail just below the neck of the case, then they will be too long to fit in a short action magazine. They will then either have to be loaded into the action one by one from the top after each shot, or it would be better to use a long or medium action to build this cartridge rifle to use to it’s full potential.


*New Long, High BC Bullets

Something to remember when you are building a new short action to take the newer, longer high BC bullets, like for cartridges like the 6.5 PRC, 6.5 WSM, 6.5 SAUM, 7mm WSM, 7mm SAUM and other similar cartridges that usually are built in short magnum actions. When you have to seat those longer bullets in deeper into the case to fit in the magazine length, or in a normal short throat chamber, the bullet will take up more of the volume inside the case, which will mean less volume for the propellant or powder.

Keep in mind, as solid copper bullet tend to be longer than lead core bullets of the same weight, because the lead is more dense than the copper, you will be more suited to conventional lead core bullets.

If you do in fact want to build the rifle for long range and specifically want to shoot those long high BC solid copper or lead core bullets, you should rather consider a long action rifle or a medium action so you can have a longer chamber and longer magazine and often also have the gunsmith use a custom reamer with long throat, this way you will not have a problem running and cycling those long bullets at the required COAL for their full potential.


Please do contact us if you have any new calibers or cartridges you think we should add to the bolt face diameter chart above, we love learning about and teaching others about bolt face sizes and which are compatible. There are many changes that are quite easily compatible, like changing from a 308 Winchester action and chamber, over to a 6.5mm Creedmoor, or 6mm Creedmoor or even .22 Creedmoor. You can even change a .22-250 over to a .22-250 Ackley Improved, or a 22XC or a 22GT and even the same .22 Creedmoor mentioned above. When studying the bolt face charts above, you will see the the possibilities are endless.

It makes sense when you are quite heavily into precision rifle shooting, and going to change your barrel to a custom or competition barrel in any case, to just buy the rifle or action you want in any compatible bolt face action, and then fit the new barrel and cartridge chamber onto it, instead of having to wait for the action or rifle manufacturers to first have to produce the caliber rifle you want.

Filed Under: Guides

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julius says

    November 10, 2021 at 3:13 pm

    Some truly fantastic work on behalf of the owner of this internet site, dead outstanding subject material.

    Reply
  2. Calin Brabandt says

    December 24, 2021 at 5:23 pm

    > However, it is a waste of space to use short action cartridges in long actions.

    Not necessarily. I think converting a long action to accept a short action cartridge makes sense when a fast twist barrel and appropriate chamber throating is also employed to support very long high B.C. bullets–particularly when converting a long action to accept a short or compact magnum cartridge. The additional action length is essential to support the long cartridge overall lengths required.

    Reply
  3. Douglas Bush says

    April 12, 2022 at 6:37 am

    Based on your fine piece of work would it be true that a 300 PRC action could easily be rebarreled to a 300 or 7mm RUM cartridge?

    Reply
  4. Jeff Motter says

    April 30, 2022 at 12:09 pm

    Great work, thanks for sharing this info.
    How about:
    224 Valkyrie Case Head= . 422, COAL = 2.260
    6.8 SPC Case Head= . 422, COAL = 2.260

    Both are Short Action. SAMMI specs show bolt face at .4255, but my bolts measure .430

    Reply
    • AJ says

      May 5, 2022 at 9:48 am

      Thank you for the submissions, I have added them.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 6mm SLR, the Ultimate 6? - LoadDevelopment.com says:
    April 4, 2022 at 7:02 am

    […] action of a rifle, or a rifle with a compatible bolt face and action length as can be seen on our bolt face database, and then have a gunsmith chamber and fit a .243 / 6mm barrel to it. The gunsmith would need to […]

    Reply
  2. 6.5PRC Rifle Cartridge - LoadDevelopment.com says:
    April 21, 2022 at 8:55 am

    […] can be seen on our Bolt Face & Action Database charts, the 6.5 PRC has a .532″ case head, so uses a .540+/- bolt face. The 6.5 PRC also has a COAL of […]

    Reply
  3. 22 Creedmoor, What, Why & How? - LoadDevelopment.com says:
    May 26, 2022 at 10:34 am

    […] action of a rifle, or a rifle with a compatible bolt face and action length as can be seen on our bolt face database, and then have a gunsmith chamber and fit a .224 barrel to it. The gunsmith would need to […]

    Reply

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