6.5-06 ackley improved

[xsn10s]

Here's what I would do since the PO got it to shoot those 143gr ELDX's. First I'd check the headspace to get an idea what I'm working with. Then if safe I'd see if I could single feed cartridges from the mag that are seated to jam the lands, that should solve the split case and extra case web stretching issue. I'd just make sure they can slide under the extractor, my buddy busted a extractor on a pushfeed by just dropping a round into the action and slamming the bolt shut. It took several months before getting a new extractor on his 270 wsm. Or use the cream of wheat method of fireforming. You can use your existing full length AI dies to neck size only. Just back off the die to not bump the should or a little more. Or get a neck size only die, but I had better luck just backing off the FL dies on my other cartridges. IMO extending the mag box, like suggested, would be a great idea if possible. And I'd consider running the heavy bullets. There would be a huge difference from your 30-06 running 150's than the 6.5-06 AI running the heavies. Good luck, I love my pushfeed Model 70 so I'll be watching your thread for the outcome.

 

[xsn10s]

Hmmm this might be an easy fix for you and give me new options on mine. Good idea L. Sherm! https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...model-70-extended-magazine-box-prod73398.aspx

 

[North Idaho Hunter]

If you cannot reach the lands to jam your bullets for fire forming - when necking down your 270 cases - you can create a false shoulder to make a crush fit. This will stop your case separation.

 

[ILVTOHT]

If you cannot reach the lands to jam your bullets for fire forming - when necking down your 270 cases - you can create a false shoulder to make a crush fit. This will stop your case separation.

Thank you. That's exactly what I ended up doing. I've got a good fireform load by just sizing about half the necks on my Norma 270 cases and trimmed ... with 129sst and 58.5gr of h-1000 it shoots good enough for paper or Varmint's (about 1").

Now I'm trying to get my fireformed cases to shoot 129gr accubond long range bullets. For my final load.

I can't use my 6.5-06 AI dies to "neck size" because they are stillsqueezing the case body .005 even when set to not bump the shoulder. So I've got 2 sets of dies, and am now still looking for a neck size option...

 

[ILVTOHT]

Here's what I would do since the PO got it to shoot those 143gr ELDX's. First I'd check the headspace to get an idea what I'm working with. Then if safe I'd see if I could single feed cartridges from the mag that are seated to jam the lands, that should solve the split case and extra case web stretching issue. I'd just make sure they can slide under the extractor, my buddy busted a extractor on a pushfeed by just dropping a round into the action and slamming the bolt shut. It took several months before getting a new extractor on his 270 wsm. Or use the cream of wheat method of fireforming. You can use your existing full length AI dies to neck size only. Just back off the die to not bump the should or a little more. Or get a neck size only die, but I had better luck just backing off the FL dies on my other cartridges. IMO extending the mag box, like suggested, would be a great idea if possible. And I'd consider running the heavy bullets. There would be a huge difference from your 30-06 running 150's than the 6.5-06 AI running the heavies. Good luck, I love my pushfeed Model 70 so I'll be watching your thread for the outcome.

This is a push feed bolt... not a positive feed (like the pre-64's) so ya I can single feed with no issues. However that won't help as I've got fireforming figured out... by just leaving half the case neck unsized and with a crush fitwith a slower powder(H-1000) and a healthy dose(58.5gr).

 

[ILVTOHT]

This is my first wildcat, In hind sight (which is always 20-20 lol). I should have had custom dies made! I'm having a blast playing with it and learning a lot!! It seems to shoot everything pretty good, (not great) but MOA will suffice... if I can't get it any better. Ya I could give in and shoot 143's but... I'm stubborn lol

I'm not much of a target shooter, mostly shoot Varmint's. We have tons of prairie dogs around, and I got this rifle for that and deer and antelope. It's a pleasure to shoot, nice weight and balance at just under 8# with Leupold vx5hd 3-15 windplex installed with tally light weight one piece mounts.
Reloader 26 looks promising... if the weather ever straightens out (raining in January) ugh!!! I'll get out and try fine tuning this load.
Yes "loose chamber" is kind of a educated guess, but my 6.5-06Asquare dies(which were a mistake), and my expensive ($180) Redding 6.5-06AI dies both work the brass more than I like. Not the end of the world... they will work... but case life won't be great.

My question at this point is "what are my options for a neck size only die"? (To prolong case life...)
And I might try a Limbsaver barrel deresonator to see if I can shrink the groups just a tad... anybody tried one?

Thanks a million for all the help and advice! You guys are awesome!

 

[xsn10s]

This is a push feed bolt... not a positive feed (like the pre-64's) so ya I can single feed with no issues. However that won't help as I've got fireforming figured out... by just leaving half the case neck unsized and with a crush fitwith a slower powder(H-1000) and a healthy dose(58.5gr).

Yup that's the false shoulder.

 

[antelopedundee]

No cannot reach the lands... not even close... bullet wouldn't even touch the case neck...long throat.

In that case [NPI] you should send the gun to a competent smith and have him or her set the barrel back enough so that he can can cut a normal throat. IMO this is a MUST DO.

Secondly when fireforming you should seat the bullet so that they just jam into the lands and don't be afraid to use a near stout load. You do not want the case to move when the firing pin strikes the primer. You want the case to expand to fill and conform to the chamber if it is currently too petite.
I remember when doing mine 30+ years ago, that Doug Shilen told me that this cartridge does best with hot loads. I am currently in the process of having another one built.

 

[antelopedundee]

This is my first wildcat, In hind sight (which is always 20-20 lol). I should have had custom dies made! I'm having a blast playing with it and learning a lot!! It seems to shoot everything pretty good, (not great) but MOA will suffice... if I can't get it any better. Ya I could give in and shoot 143's but... I'm stubborn lol

I'm not much of a target shooter, mostly shoot Varmint's. We have tons of prairie dogs around, and I got this rifle for that and deer and antelope. It's a pleasure to shoot, nice weight and balance at just under 8# with Leupold vx5hd 3-15 windplex installed with tally light weight one piece mounts.
Reloader 26 looks promising... if the weather ever straightens out (raining in January) ugh!!! I'll get out and try fine tuning this load.
Yes "loose chamber" is kind of a educated guess, but my 6.5-06Asquare dies(which were a mistake), and my expensive ($180) Redding 6.5-06AI dies both work the brass more than I like. Not the end of the world... they will work... but case life won't be great.

My question at this point is "what are my options for a neck size only die"? (To prolong case life...)
And I might try a Limbsaver barrel deresonator to see if I can shrink the groups just a tad... anybody tried one?

Thanks a million for all the help and advice! You guys are awesome!

If I was fireforming for the first time I would just take .25-06 cases and seat a bullet to lightly jam as I said before. Since you're not so much worried about load development, neck tension wouldn't be an issue. It's no big deal to seat a .264 bullet into a .25-06 case. That long throat will kill you. that cartridge is something of a barrel burner and the throat will just continue to get longer due to erosion. Or even better start with .280 Rem AI cases and size them until they just chamber with out much effort.

 

[L.Sherm]

First what is a "normal throat".
Second define " barrel burner" have you got or had a 6.5x06AI?
Third do you really think a 6.5x280AI is gonna be any different on barrel life.

 

[antelopedundee]

First what is a "normal throat".
Second define " barrel burner" have you got or had a 6.5x06AI?
Third do you really think a 6.5x280AI is gonna be any different on barrel life.

With a normal throat you could seat a bullet with the base close to or below the shoulder body junction and still come close to or even touch the lands. In his case if he can seat it 1/10 inch in and not even come close to the lands his throat is too long.

Barrel burners are cartridges which use a lot of powder and which causes the throat barrel to wear out faster. I have a 6.5-06 AI and after about 1200 rounds the throat is waaaay too long. Can't even touch the lands and have a bullet stay seated in the case. Looked into a 6.5 x 300 WSM, but reports were that it had reduced barrel life.

I said to make 6.5-06AI cases from the .280 version cases and not to chamber for it.

 

[antelopedundee]

You must have the version known as the .264 Lovelace.

 

[L.Sherm]

1200 rounds is far from barrel burner.
I have a 6.5x300wsm. There is no normal throat, wildcat chambers are spec'ed to run certain bullets, O.P problem is mag box length to get to the lands.

 

[L.Sherm]

A 30-06 case neck is .385 long so if you run.130 freebore that's just above the neck shoulder junction with a 140 so to burn enough throat so the neck wont even hold a bullet you would have to burn about .180 of the throat is that what your saying you did?