6.5-06 Ackley Improved

[quigley257]

Somewhat of a group build starting here. Myself and a couple buddies all have long action standard bolt face R700 receivers to use. We all own 280 AIs and are familiar with the AIs and fireforming. We want to make a .264 of sorts for long range target shooting and hunting. Wondering what your experiences have been with standard bolt face, long action cartridges in 6.5 have been. I'm aware of the 6.5 Sherman, but think that availability of reasonably priced/quality brass leans in favor of the Ackley. CH4D offers dies for the Ackley for as little as $140 for full custom or $110 for "standard" 6.5-06 improved. Just fishing for ideas and experiences in this arena. The 6.5-284 Norma was also brought up for discussion. I know Lapua makes brass for it too. For those that did build and shoot the 6.5-06 AI, what brass did you use and why? Thanks!!

 

[JMW67]

Just do a 6.5-280 ackley you can simply neck down the 280 AI brass and use 280AI bushing dies with the correct bushing for the 6.5

 

[quigley257]

We talked about that and didn't want to worry about any brass/headstamp confusion.

 

[dmj]

I purchased a 6.5-06 ai from a member on here several years ago. It was made by Rbros and is a great rifle. Shoots both the 140 berger and 143 eldx well. 53 gr. H4831sc, 140vld was used for fire forming, mv is 2950. The 143 eldx used 60.5 gr. Retumbo, mv is 2930. Both well under 1/2 moa. When I purchased the rifle it came with several hundred brass. The gentleman used Winchester 25-06 brass and federal 270 brass. I can't tell you if there was a reason he picked those but can tell you that it chambers well and shoots lights out. Probably not the info you are looking for, good luck.

 

[quigley257]

I purchased a 6.5-06 ai from a member on here several years ago. It was made by Rbros and is a great rifle. Shoots both the 140 berger and 143 eldx well. 53 gr. H4831sc, 140vld was used for fire forming, mv is 2950. The 143 eldx used 60.5 gr. Retumbo, mv is 2930. Both well under 1/2 moa. When I purchased the rifle it came with several hundred brass. The gentleman used Winchester 25-06 brass and federal 270 brass. I can't tell you if there was a reason he picked those but can tell you that it chambers well and shoots lights out. Probably not the info you are looking for, good luck.

I appreciate the info. Did the rifle come with dies or did you buy afterwards? I'm leaning toward using 270 brass. My buddy scored a 500ct batch of 270 Win Starline brass. I have had excellent results using Starline in other calibers so I may try that myself.

 

[Ross1147]

I had one built a few years ago using one of PTGs trued R700 actions and one piece bolt. Married it to an 26" Bartlein 2B and bedded it in a Manners. Overall it's probably my most accurate custom I have.
I used Norma 25-06 brass initially. Just necked up, COW formed and loaded. Most recently I've started to use lapua 06 brass because I have a box laying around I never used. Little more steps, have to trim and neck turn, but not to hard.
If I had to do it over I'd do the 6.5-284. No real brass prep, just load and shoot. Dies are also cheaper.
My pet load with Norma brass was zinging the 156 Berger at 3030fps. Zero pressure at this node (I was able to get 3120fps with RL26 before Ej marks). About 150fps than I can get my buddies 6.5PRC before pressure.

 

[dmj]

It came with redding dies. By the way really like the picture of your dog. Loyalty written all over that face.

 

[L.Sherm]

I put together on for my nephew, the thing hammers with H1000 and 140 Bergers in a Proof Steel barrel in a 8 twist running right at 3140FPS in a 26" barrel.
Runs 30-06 Lapua brass formed and neck turned.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I worked up loads for two different 6.5-06AIs.
142 SMK @ 3160fps in a 26" 1:8"
140 HVLD @ 3150fps in a 26" 1:8".
These were before the fast twist/heavy bullet fad. I would now run a 1:7.5" and push a 140-156 somewhere north of 3050+.

 

[Philward]

Is the 6.5-06AI a little shorter case that the 6.5-280AI or the 6.5-270AI? The latter 2 starting with a longer case length. Just curious.

 

[FEENIX]

Is the 6.5-06AI a little shorter case that the 6.5-280AI or the 6.5-270AI? The latter 2 starting with a longer case length. Just curious.

Yes, IIRC, the -06 ~1MM (0.039) shorter. I use .270/.280 on my .30 Gibbs.

 

[Duramaxfxr]

So I have both a 6.5x284 and a 6.5x06ai..both built by Steve downs of sage flatts shooters in Jordan mt..both are 26in 5wt benchmark barrels. The 6.5x284 loves 140 accubonds just below 3000 fps..the 6.5x06ai does better with 143eldx but groups really nice at 3180fps..both running h1000..using hornady 25-06 brass for the 6.5-06ai and redding dies. I use nosler brass and forester comp dies for the 6.5x284
Both are great options but I normally grab the 6.5x284 on my way out the door

 

[quigley257]

So I have both a 6.5x284 and a 6.5x06ai..both built by Steve downs of sage flatts shooters in Jordan mt..both are 26in 5wt benchmark barrels. The 6.5x284 loves 140 accubonds just below 3000 fps..the 6.5x06ai does better with 143eldx but groups really nice at 3180fps..both running h1000..using hornady 25-06 brass for the 6.5-06ai and redding dies. I use nosler brass and forester comp dies for the 6.5x284
Both are great options but I normally grab the 6.5x284 on my way out the door

Great info, thanks!

 

[284ackley]

Somewhat of a group build starting here. Myself and a couple buddies all have long action standard bolt face R700 receivers to use. We all own 280 AIs and are familiar with the AIs and fireforming. We want to make a .264 of sorts for long range target shooting and hunting. Wondering what your experiences have been with standard bolt face, long action cartridges in 6.5 have been. I'm aware of the 6.5 Sherman, but think that availability of reasonably priced/quality brass leans in favor of the Ackley. CH4D offers dies for the Ackley for as little as $140 for full custom or $110 for "standard" 6.5-06 improved. Just fishing for ideas and experiences in this arena. The 6.5-284 Norma was also brought up for discussion. I know Lapua makes brass for it too. For those that did build and shoot the 6.5-06 AI, what brass did you use and why? Thanks!!

Ive had a 6.5-06ai for years....love it...absolutely no kick, but significant performance. You'll love it....it's different enough from the 280ai that you'll not see it as just a slimmed down 280...it's it's own caliber. Awesome Antelope round. I shoot 130 Barnes TTSX, and now 127LRX.