Where/how can I get 6.5-06 brass

[Alibiiv]

I just sent a receiver out to get a 6.5-06 build. I figured that I would get a jump on the rifle, so.....decided to get some brass and start making some reloads for the rifle. I have tried Brownells', Midway and Starline, Graf & Sons listed the brass but out of stock @ $40 for 20 pieces(!!!!), but nothing!!!!!!!!!!! I reload for a .270AI so have all that I need to make brass, just not certain about what method to use. I have read 25-06 necked up, then 30-06 necked down, and the .270 Winchester, necked down and turn the necks. The latter seems to be a better option for me because I can turn the necks and get a better reload for the rifle. I just sent this receiver out, so......if it's going to be a PITA for brass. I still have time where I can change the build maybe to .280AI. What are other's with the 6.5-06 doing for brass?

 

[MNbogboy]

I've used 25-06, 30-06 and 270.
25-06 necked up you may end up with necks on the short side. 30-06 depending on the brass and your chamber you may have to neck turn. With 270 you can get the neck length you desire.
Neck turning new brass is generally a good idea to start shooting without weak/thin spots. Those areas continue thinning and won't "clean up" as well after firing.

Worst case scenario is mixing of ammo with similar headstamp could lead to problems.
Your 270AI would not chamber in a 6.5-06 but the 6.5-06 probably would in the 270AI.
(Although probably would not have catastrophic results if accidently fired).
Don't ask me what happened the day I was shooting a 257 Bob AI and my 6.5/257 Bob AI at the same bench session! Because I would probably tell you that I thought for a minute must be dead center in the black....what 300 fps slow.....i didn't hear the 257 bullet rattling down the 6.5 bore.

Personally in your case I would use 30-06 and neck turn.

 

[scottishkat]

I still have a 6.5-06 in an old school 700LA. I have necked down 30-06 and necked up 25-06. I promised my self if I did it again I would do 6.5x270win to avoid trimming and gain a little more case volume. The longer neck may help with throat erosion as well.

Good luck and shoot straight y'all

 

[MagnumManiac]

I had my best results necking up 25-06 brass.
Just an aside, Rem brass would crack on the first firing in the necks unless annealed first.
Win brass would crack through the neck/shoulder juncture after 4-5 firings if not annealed.
I also load for a 338-06 and neck up 30-06 brass. Have had similar issues with cracking if the cases aren't annealed.

Cheers.

 

[L.Sherm]

Buy you some Lapua 30-06 brass neck it down and turn the necks to your desired dia. and dont look back.

 

[KurtB]

I necked down and trimmed to length 270 brass. Worked great. Your smith may be able to adjust the neck length so that no trimming to length is required on the 270 as was mentioned earlier. Be worth a call for sure.

 

[Dmagna]

Buy lapua 30-06 and size it

 

[Dmagna]

If you are having trouble going from 30 cal to 264 buy a bushing die and do it in a couple of steps

 

[Farmerboy78]

I bought quite a bit of once fired norma 30-06, take the spindle out of the die and only lube the case body. Run it through the die in one shot. I then size with the spindle inserted and wham, 6.5-06 brass

 

[GLTaylor]

I'm with L Sherm and others. Have 3 AI s. Easiest and best is 3006 Lapua cases, neck down in 2 steps, turn necks and anneal. Good consistency.

 

[JMW67]

270 norma brass necked down and trimmed to length works well with little effort 30-06 lapua necked down in several steps and then turned will produce some nice brass its just a little more effort to get there

 

[JMW67]

I just sent a receiver out to get a 6.5-06 build. I figured that I would get a jump on the rifle, so.....decided to get some brass and start making some reloads for the rifle. I have tried Brownells', Midway and Starline, Graf & Sons listed the brass but out of stock @ $40 for 20 pieces(!!!!), but nothing!!!!!!!!!!! I reload for a .270AI so have all that I need to make brass, just not certain about what method to use. I have read 25-06 necked up, then 30-06 necked down, and the .270 Winchester, necked down and turn the necks. The latter seems to be a better option for me because I can turn the necks and get a better reload for the rifle. I just sent this receiver out, so......if it's going to be a PITA for brass. I still have time where I can change the build maybe to .280AI. What are other's with the 6.5-06 doing for brass?

you might think about the 6.5-280 ackley I just finished mine just neck down 280 ackley brass and go

 

[Alibiiv]

I've used 25-06, 30-06 and 270.
25-06 necked up you may end up with necks on the short side. 30-06 depending on the brass and your chamber you may have to neck turn. With 270 you can get the neck length you desire.
Neck turning new brass is generally a good idea to start shooting without weak/thin spots. Those areas continue thinning and won't "clean up" as well after firing.

Worst case scenario is mixing of ammo with similar headstamp could lead to problems.
Your 270AI would not chamber in a 6.5-06 but the 6.5-06 probably would in the 270AI.
(Although probably would not have catastrophic results if accidently fired).
Don't ask me what happened the day I was shooting a 257 Bob AI and my 6.5/257 Bob AI at the same bench session! Because I would probably tell you that I thought for a minute must be dead center in the black....what 300 fps slow.....i didn't hear the 257 bullet rattling down the 6.5 bore.

Personally in your case I would use 30-06 and neck turn.

Mixing brass/loaded ammo is a concern of mine. But....as you have written the .270 AI will not chamber in the 6.5-06 chamber, but.....the worst case scenario would be that I made a .270 AI from a 6.5-06!! My second thought is that there certainly will be a big difference in appearance between the 6.5-06 and the .270 AI, the shoulder on the .270 AI is certainly distinguished enough. I would like to thank you and all of the people who responded in to this thread, great bunch of people on this site!!!

 

[Alibiiv]

I necked down and trimmed to length 270 brass. Worked great. Your smith may be able to adjust the neck length so that no trimming to length is required on the 270 as was mentioned earlier. Be worth a call for sure.

I will call my gunsmith and ask about deepening the throat and even the chamber if that will work. If I have to go through all of the work to make the brass, maybe he can even make the chamber deeper, I don't mind spending the money for a set of custom dies if I have to.