Ok this may be a dumb question but here we go. I have a Remington model 660 in 243. Does anyone know if this action can be used to make a handgun? Does anyone know of someone who could do it ( maybe our local gun magician Rod) or have experience with anything like this?

The barrel could be used but not the action. I believe that when the gun was serial numbered it was done in such a way as to make the action that of a rifle. An action that that is made for a pistol would be serial numbered in such a way.

Oh yeah, I forgot that part. That's the hold up which is to bad.

You might check with the BATF and see if there is a form to change the status.

I believe you would basicly have to get a short barrel rifle permit but the part I'm not sure of is the pistol grip. Regardless it's pretty much 200.00 to the ATF for any permits in this category and an intense background check which can take months. It would be the same as if you were buying a full auto firearm.

If you keep the total length over 26", you can do what you want with the handle. I don't have a rear grip XP to measure but I'd think a barrel of around 18" should get you in the neighborhood. A 21" barrel will make a contender pistol legal as a rifle.

Talk to J D Jones of SSK industries. He might be able to give you the scoop on it. He did a .378 WBY case cut to 2" and necked down to .50 cal. Seems like he built it on a modified Rem 600 or 660 action. The thing was like an XP on steroids,

I know several gunsmiths that are capable of doing it along as the barrel length is more than 16" and the overall length is long enough to be a legal firearm.
I have one just South of Gillette.

Ernie,

Could he just leave it as is with the 18" barrel and put it in a rear grip XP stock?

Yes, as long as the guns OAL is still 26" or more

Check this site out.

http://russoriflestocks.com/Pistol_Stocks.html

Location of the action screws will be different, but that shouldn't be a big issue.
Want a repeater or single-shot?
If SS, you will need to get a SS follower.

Single shot would be fine. Just have the gun sitting around and the action has had some work done but I don't use it for anything because it was bought for my ex wife. It is nice but I want it to be a cool toy for me. Thanks to all you guys for posting.

Eric Wallace would be a great choice as well for taking care of you

I'd go with Ernies suggestion, I'd love to help you but I have my hands so full of revolvers and T/C's that I don't have the time to be as proficient with the bolt guns as many others.

I measured quickly without taking the rifle stock off. From the front of the barrel to the visible back of the receiver is 26 1/2". So would the grip be part of the overall measurement also? A rear grip could maybe add a little more length. My rifle stock is attached to the action simply with two bolts which go through the trigger guard. The trigger guard covers the magazine, and there is no floorplate.

The grip would be part of your OAL.
Eric's # 406-925-3947

Thank you Ernie. I will give him a call.

I have a friend that manufacturer handguns and rifles. Per BATF, a handgun action can be converted to a rifle, but a rifle action can NOT be converted to a handgun.

but a rifle can be be put into a pistol grip stock and like posted earlier have a barrel over the 16" mark and overall over 26.5". but it would still be a rifle and one must abide by the regs in the state they will be hunting it. in my part of NY I can hunt with my striker with 15.825" barrel and 27" over all length because its still a handgun. but if I put my rifle action in that same stock with a 17" barrel I can not. just be careful

My statement above comes from the manufacturers standpoint.

Do not ruin a good 660. Put an ad in papers, etc and find an xp. Or find an old 600 because the 660 are fast becoming great collectors items and you have one of the most collectible caliber.

As a update, went ahead and sold the old girl. Thinking of watching for a competitor in a great caliber. I like the 243 but I want a handgun that I don't think twice about for all my big game needs, which include elk.

Have you ever used a MOA Maximum?

No I hasn't, all I have used is the contender. I love my contender but I want a caliber in the handgun that can be accurate, good brass availability, and put down big game like elk out to three hundred without hesitation. Could be a pipe dream but if it was a possibility I would be ecstatic. Money is always a thing so whatever it would be I would take a bit to get.

What is a moa maximum? Is it custom? What cartridge seems good in your opinion? I was thinking 6.5 of some sort.

I had a blonde moment, the moa is the freedom arms single shot correct?

The MOA is a handgun of it's own. Not a Freedom Arms. Without getting into the magnum end of things the .280 Rem. .284 Win. or a .30-06 should more than do what you are asking.

I think I would consider a 284 Win, 280 rem, or the 280AI
http://www.moaguns.com/
http://www.moaguns.com/moa_max.html

300 yard elk shot with a pistol?

My 308 encore is a very accurate round and probably one of the widest selection of bullets out there in any caliber. That said I wouldn't hesitate, with the right load, dropping the hammer on an elk at 200 yards with it. Have you thought about a 300win mag barrel for the contender? You load lighter rounds for deer and smaller critters and then load 175-190 for elk or bigger animals.

I am not against the 300 by any account. Wondered how it performed in a pistol. Can't do it with my contender due to pressure, but have been wanting an encore.

Not a problem

That may be the way I go. I love my tc's and am sure the encore is good. Thanks guys, the advice is great.

I am not a fan of Rem Mags/Win Mags in the Encore-Just a personal preference, as one can run into problems when trying to run them pressure wise as much as you can do in a bolt rig or falling block.
Caliber-06 Improved is where I would go with an Encore.

So would you say like a 25/06 or is there something else? Or just the standard 30/06 improved ? How about the 7mm/08?

Again, several here have Rem/Win Mags and do well with them.
For Elk I would prefer 6.5 or above on caliber.
6.5-284, 6.5-06 or 6.5-06 Improved, 280 Rem or 280AI, 284 Win., 30-06 or 30-06AI
7-08 or the Improved version.
Depends on the animal, and the distances you want to use them at.

That is a pretty big statement with a whole lot of variables. As Ernie says, that is "not a problem" to do with the correct caliber, bullet type and weight, and shot placement. However, you have to to go to a rifle caliber in a long barreled scoped handgun to do it. If that is what you are interested in, then pursue it by doing a lot of research, and then when you choose the caliber and gun, by doing a lot of practice! I own a 30-06 Improved (actually 30-06 JDJ) and have killed numerous elk and mule deer with it, but I seriously doubt that I would shoot at an elk at 300 yards with it.

This is me; going by my personal handgun hunting experience; (including lots of elk hunting experience and kills with rifles and handguns, plus guiding elk hunters, rifle and handgun, for years) in other words, my opinion but based on a lot of experience. Not looking for an argument here, just trying to share knowledge.

Everything you said Gregg is good input. No argument hear. And three hundred is not exact either. Just interested in seeing if the firearm is capable and available, I would just have to do my part.

I can't emphasize enough the ability from field positions to put a bullet that will do the job well on said animal in the right place.
My 7mm Rem Mag AI MOA pushes a 180 grain Berger or JLK at 2685 fps.
It would run a 168 at around 2785 fps.
I prefer a 7mm or 338 for elk.
I have used 30 cals on elk with great success, but like the 7's and 338's for other reasons.

Gregg is so right!
I have watched elk soak up rounds from 338 Win Mag Browning A-Bolt using good bullets. And from some other magnum rifles on other occasions as well
Why? Poor shot placement and or a bad choice of bullets.

That same elk was put down quickly with one 140 grain Partition from a 284 Win XP. Why? Good shot placement and a bullet that was designed to do its job in that velocity impact range.
If your animal is not spooked and you wipe out his lungs, he will not go to far.
Depending on the bullet, and the circumstances, I will even go with a high shoulder shot to take out his front legs.
I am prepared to make a follow up shot on elk very quickly, and will send one if there is even a tiny bit of doubt.
They can be tough animals at times, while at many other times, one shot and they are down.

I just ordered the video after just seeing the trailer. Not many of these animals in Florida, but I'm sure it will still be informative and very entertaining.