Ream a 6.5-06 out to 6.5-06 AI???

Guys, I'm looking really hard at a custom 6.5-06 right now that I can pick up for a really good deal. The problem is, that I'd prefer a 6.5-06 AI. So my question is, can I purchase this rifle and have a gunsmith run an Ackley Improved reamer through it? Or is it a no go? Thanks for your help.

Yup, you sure can.

PowellSixO said:

So my question is, can I purchase this rifle and have a gunsmith run an Ackley Improved reamer through it? Or is it a no go?

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Yes, you can have the 6.5-06 AI chamber in your new rifle. Remember though, that your gunsmith will have to set the barrel back one turn in order to set the headspace properly.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it. I figured it was possible considering the ai case being wider at the top just under the shoulder. I'm going to go put hands on the rifle this Thursday. Thanks again. If I buy it I'll post pics.

Looking forward to pics of your new stick ;-)

what if the original chamber is over sized and the new reamer is smaller i just went thru this with a rifle and i took the barrel up enough to completely re neck the chamber and the Remington chamber was so sloppy the new AI reamer only cut the neck and 3/8s of the shoulder area and you can see the transition from the new cut and old chamber.

I only use that barrel for fire forming but you can see the line and it is bout a .0005 smaller in diameter up at the transition, it operates good and it irons out on the next firing on the rifle with the chamber from the same reamer only reamed all the way

You can 'what-if' several scenarios when it comes to all the things that can and do go wrong with existing chambers and cutting new ones. These get dealt with at that time when the gunsmith is checking the chamber before cutting or when it's in the setup.

Good to know. Thanks for that. I'll have a gunsmith look at that. It might just have to stay a 6.5-06 for a little while.

Reasons for not doing it:

1) 6.5-06 is already a great cartridge.
a) In 2015 I built a 6.5-06 on a Dumoulin Mauser action.
I got 3200 fps 120 gr Nos Bal tip.
I shot a tiny whitetail doe at 629 yards. It is doing better than my 270s and 7mmRemMags for longest range shot.
b) Right now in 2017 I am building a 6.5-06 on a Rem 700 action.

2) Minimum gain
The 6.5-06 A Square shoulder is 0.442. The 6.5-06 Ackley shoulder is 0.455".
The difference is 0.013". That is like $3 thick.

3) Obcurity
a) The 6.5-06 Ackley is so obscure it is not in the Quickload 3.9 library.
b) The regular 6.5-06 is obscure enough. I had to pay triple to get Lee Precision to make a custom collet neck die mandrel from Lee Custom Mandrel reduction service for 270 mandrel from a collet neck die down to 0.262", but leave the top 1/4" alone to fit a 270 collar
c) I had to pay double to get a custom FL sizer body from Forster neck honing service to hone out fee from 25-06 body to 0.292" neck.

Clark said:

2) Minimum gain
The 6.5-06 A Square shoulder is 0.442. The 6.5-06 Ackley shoulder is 0.455".
The difference is 0.013". That is like $3 thick.

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Your inherent prejudice is obvious.

While you demean the AI version because of shoulder diameter alone, it is not the only variable which makes a difference in performance. The improved shoulder diameter plus the increased shoulder angle both contribute to increasing the case capacity.

It's unfortunate though, that far too many only consider the Ackley versions to be necessary for increasing velocity by increasing the capacity. The reality is that there are some cartridges which benefit from the improvement for other reasons.

The sharper shoulder of Ackley-style cases creates a better, systematic burning of powder, often allowing us to use a broader selection of powders which can enhance the overall performance of the cartridge even though the velocity gains may not be as spectacular as desired. This can be the primary impetus for the improvement.

Clark said:

3) Obcurity
a) The 6.5-06 Ackley is so obscure it is not in the Quickload 3.9 library.
b) The regular 6.5-06 is obscure enough. I had to pay triple to get Lee Precision to make a custom collet neck die mandrel from Lee Custom Mandrel reduction service for 270 mandrel from a collet neck die down to 0.262", but leave the top 1/4" alone to fit a 270 collar
c) I had to pay double to get a custom FL sizer body from Forster neck honing service to hone out fee from 25-06 body to 0.292" neck.

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To label a cartridge as 'obscure' simply because H.G. Broemel forgets to include it in a cartridge library is ludicrous. There are dozens of cartridges which he does include which are more antiquated and obscure than the 6.5-06 AI by many measures. Then there are the other cartridges which have been skipped for one reason or another, let alone the 100 plus mistakes I've noted in the most current version. I have passed these on to his company on two separate occasions and have yet to see or read anything regarding any changes.

The 6.5-06 wildcat is so popular that many reloading manuals list recipes for it. At least two blown-out versions — meaning the walls are straightened and shoulder is pushed forward — are fairly popular. The 6.5 Gibbs reportedly reaches 3,325 fps with a 120-grain bullet, and the 6.5-06 Ackley Improved hits 3,100 fps.

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Ron Spomer
https://www.buckmasters.com/Magazines/GunHunter/Articles/ID/2646
/The-30-06-Cartridge-Family

I feel bad that you aren't realizing any economy given your direction chosen for obtaining dies. For those who are willing to choose a different direction, Redding has standard FL dies sets in 6.5-06 AI available for purchase. If you want a finer control over neck sizing, you can order 25-06 bushing dies and simply switch the bushing to the ones suitable for your neck tension. There are other variations available as well.

Best of luck with your project.

Sable, great argument.

Personally, I too believe the inherent benefits of the AI chamber are well worth the menial cost of a re-chamber. I had a 6.5-06AI built for my father some years ago; we have both been extremely pleased with performance delivered as well as the associated case benefits of the AI specs.

OP- it's well worth it IMHO.


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