6.5-06 Info needed

[sundance1972]

Does anyone have a diagram with the case dimensions? Having trouble finding one on the net (not exactly computer literate!!), and I haven't updated my manuals for awhile . I normally do as much research as possible BEFORE buying a rifle, but at the price it was offered to me, I grabbed it right away.
The rifle itself was built on an Interarms Mark X action and has a new 26" stainless barrel. No markings on it except for 6.5-06, so will have to do some research on it, as well. The stock is a custom handmade laminate that has been bedded.
I've never resized brass for a different calibre before, so any helpful hints/tips would be nice.Also, if anyone has some load info they can share, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jlamb]

Sundance,

I just got a custom 6.5-06. I've been using Nosler 25-06 brass and simply necking them up .010" with a 6.5-06 die. I then fireform the brass and neck size.

Dimensions - refere to the new Hornady Manual. It's got them all. PM and I'll scan it for you and email it.

Per the load here's where I'm at:

Bullet - Sierra 142 SMK

Powder - H4831SC start at 49.5 and work up. I've found an accuracy node at 50.5 grains but am working up to the next node. I'm only getting about 2900fps, I want to be at 3000.

COAL - I'm measureing at the Ogive with a bullet comparator. I'm about .010" off the lands. In my case it's about 3.380".

So far this has been the most interesting cartridge that I've loaded and am very excited about dialing it in. Below is my first loads while breaking the barrel in:

 

[sundance1972]

Thanks, jlamb!! pm will be on the way shortly. If my rifle is half as accurate as some of your pics, I'll be a happy camper.

I have a bunch of different bullets and powders to try as soon as my dies show up. Going to start out with 270 brass (just because i have some), but plan on ordering some 25-06 in the near future. Just picked up the rifle last week, so still getting components together.
Powders I have on hand are IMR 4350, 4895 and 4831, RL22 and 25 . I also shoot a 6.5x55, so have a bunch of 130 Bergers, 130 Matrix (FB & RBT), 140 gr SST and 139 PRVI SPBT's to try out. I'm sure the list will grow, but should be good enough for a start.

 

[jlamb]

I'd stick with powders between H4350 and RL-22 for 130 grain bullets. Good luck!

 

[Bart B]

Does anyone have a diagram with the case dimensions?

Here's .25-06 diagrams from SAAMI:

http://www.saami.org/PubResources/CC_Drawings/Rifle/25-06 Remington.pdf

You can add the difference in bullet diameters between a 6.5mm's .264 inch and the .25-06's .257 and get the 6.5-06's neck diameters. All other dimensions should be the same.

 

[loaders_loft]

Get the new nosler manual, it has some great data. My 6.5-06 is being built right now, with plans to try the 130 sirocco and accubond and the 120 ttsx.

Which dies did you get?

 

[sundance1972]

Get the new nosler manual, it has some great data. My 6.5-06 is being built right now, with plans to try the 130 sirocco and accubond and the 120 ttsx.

Which dies did you get?

Thanks, the Nosler manual is on my shopping list.
All of my dies are RCBS, but for this one I ordered the Redding 2 die set from a place in Alberta. They sure are expensive up here in Canada ($101!!!), but I've heard they're good quality.

 

[KurtB]

Be sure to try 140 bergers and around 50 grains of RL22. Quite nice in my rig.

 

[loaders_loft]

Kurt and Sundance, what twists are your barrels?

 

[KurtB]

I ran a #2 contour Hart in an 8 twist. Total weight with VX3 on it goes 7 pounds even. With the Bergers it put last 8 on paper into .6" at 100 yards. The bergers dropped deer, mountain goat and a number of antelope last year out to 530 yards right in their tracks. I really enjoy the 6.5-06. Mine also runs 160 woodleighs extremely well with H1000.

 

[jlamb]

I forgot to mention that Sierra has a 6.5-06 section also. I'll be picking that book up soon too!

 

[sundance1972]

The twist looks to be 1:8.5 (does this sound right?) as far as i can tell with a cleaning rod and tight patch.

That's the one thing that is frustrating me with the rifle. I bought it as is, and the man who built it recently passed away, so i have no info on the barrel. The mfg. stamp was machined off to set headspacing, so don't even know what brand it is yet.

Going to take some measurements and see if i can match them up on one of the manufacturers websites, but not really expecting to have any success there as it may have been a custom order.

 

[davewitt]

In reloading the 6.5-06 I have found that forming brass out of 25-06 winchester
brass is the way to go. You will find that necking down leads to thick necks and way to much neck tension at the least.If it is a tight necked chamber you will expierience higher pressure than you should.There is another node with 140gr bullets around 52.5gr of h4831sc. this load was safe in my win m70 with 8twist hart lhv and neck sized brass [ this keeps your headspace from getting longer than need be and your brass will not start separating at the case head after 4 fireings] The 140 a-max,sierra gameking, and hornady sst interlock along with 140berger vlds all perform admerably. I am using cci 250 magnum large rifle primers and a redding bushing neck die after the 25-06 brass has been flsized and fireformed with a 140 sierra and 49.5gr 4831sc jammed.hope this helps!

 

[loaders_loft]

Why did you decide to use magnum primers?