6.5-06 vs 6.5-06 AI

[Cal1980]

Getting ready to build a 6.5-06 and wondering if Ackley improved is worth it? Would also like to learn as much as possible about these two calibers from people with 1st hand experience. Planning on using a 26" barrel,vias break, savage action, Boyd stock. Would like to keep the complete rig 10lbs or less. Primary focus is a nice long range deer & elk gun that is packable with reasonable recoil.

 

[TMill308]

I would look at the 6.5 Sherman also, lots of people saying good things about it.

 

[Riflehunter1776]

I have 2 6.5-06's. What in particular do you want input about? It's crazy time at the PA gun ranges (rifle opens monday) but I could try to get some data for you, if you wanted something specific.

 

[Cal1980]

What all is involved with case prep on the Sherman? I have heard a lot of good things about the Sherman as well but was worried about the case prep because I am still cutting my teeth on the reloading bench.

 

[Cal1980]

I have 2 6.5-06's. What in particular do you want input about? It's crazy time at the PA gun ranges (rifle opens monday) but I could try to get some data for you, if you wanted something specific.

Thanks Riflehunter! I am interested in the pros and cons of AI. Best rifling for the 6.5 and load development. I am leaning toward the 140 berger.

 

[TMill308]

Based on the descriptions that Ive seen it's a more blown out version of the 6.5-06AI with the shoulder moved farther forward for more case capacity. I would think that you could neck down .270 or .280 brass and either create a false shoulder or jam the bullets into the lands for fire forming. The forum member elkaholic is the inventor of the Sherman line and can answer all your questions I'm sure.

 

[CaptnC]

I have one and will build another. WHY? Because of all the 6.5 options brass is the easiest to come by. Yes I know no one make head stamped 6.5-06 brass but you can easily make it out of 25-06 (preferred) 270, 280 or 30-06.

Now I don't know about the 60.5-06AI. I'm not sure if it's worth the extra cost for dies. I also have a 264wm so I have the "more powder" covered. I forget which of the above calibers has to be "blown out" to fit the 6.5-06 chamber perfectly. But it really a not an issue, it will come down to personal choice.

Most of the load data on the 6.5-06 is on the light side, so it has more potential than it looks on reloading data.

I know where three Savage 110 rifles are, so it's just a matter of going to get one to start my next build. I kicking around doing another 280, but it's hard to not do another 6.5-06 with a 1:8 twist. The rifle I built earlier this year has a 1:9...so far though it has handled 140's just fine, but I can't help but to think...what if?!?!?!?!?

 

[Riflehunter1776]

My heavy 26" bbl likes 100's, and my 22" "magnum sporter" contour is best with 120's and 130 accubonds, so my results will vary from what you are hoping to accomplish. But as an example, the Nosler #8 book quotes 53.0 GR of RL22 @ 3121 out of a 24" bbl; my 22" puts them out at right around 3000 with a slightly longer OAL.

 

[Plinker147]

I have a couple of 6.5-06 great cartridge. Get a 1:8 twist h4831, r22, h1000 all good powders to work with. I found best accuracy with h4831, best speed with 1000.

The AI version will give you a 100ish more FPS. Other advantage is better case life with AI. It really comes down to more much you like to tinker with case forming. To me it's more pain in the *** than its worth for the xtra FPS.

6.5-284 would be a good compromise. You can buy stamped quality brass and be good to go. If I was going to build another that's what I would do.

 

[CaptnC]

Yeah...the 6.5-284 keeps creeping into my thought process as well. EA Brown has Accuracy pre-fit barrels for Savage actions in that caliber...brass is more expensive as is the dies.

I have 25-06, 270 and plan to again have another 280 so I use 30-06 brass to make my 6.5-06 brass. That way I don't have to worry about someone grabbing the wrong ammo...don't own or plan to own the 30-06...so that's why it's my choice. Plus it easy to come by at the range...I pick up a bunch every time I go. I just ask the shooter if he reloads, many don't...so it's free!

I'm getting over 3100FPS with H4350 using 130gr Sierra HPBT's .5MOA @ 100yds...which nearly matches my 264wm with the same bullets. But I must confess I have just put the 264 together just before the deer season started so I loaded some ammo that shot decent and went with it.

 

[Cal1980]

Yeah...the 6.5-284 keeps creeping into my thought process as well. EA Brown has Accuracy pre-fit barrels for Savage actions in that caliber...brass is more expensive as is the dies.

I have 25-06, 270 and plan to again have another 280 so I use 30-06 brass to make my 6.5-06 brass. That way I don't have to worry about someone grabbing the wrong ammo...don't own or plan to own the 30-06...so that's why it's my choice. Plus it easy to come by at the range...I pick up a bunch every time I go. I just ask the shooter if he reloads, many don't...so it's free!

I'm getting over 3100FPS with H4350 using 130gr Sierra HPBT's .5MOA @ 100yds...which nearly matches my 264wm with the same bullets. But I must confess I have just put the 264 together just before the deer season started so I loaded some ammo that shot decent and went with it.

I am in the same boat. Just finished converted an old 1970's savage youth 30-06 to a 25-06. It was my 1st attempt at a semi custom. (Learned a lot) I have been a little worried about ammo mix up as well. I wonder would a 6.5-06AI round feed in a 25-06? How are you stepping down your 30-06 brass?

 

[Cal1980]

I have a couple of 6.5-06 great cartridge. Get a 1:8 twist h4831, r22, h1000 all good powders to work with. I found best accuracy with h4831, best speed with 1000.

The AI version will give you a 100ish more FPS. Other advantage is better case life with AI. It really comes down to more much you like to tinker with case forming. To me it's more pain in the *** than its worth for the xtra FPS.

6.5-284 would be a good compromise. You can buy stamped quality brass and be good to go. If I was going to build another that's what I would do.

I like the way you think plinker! My concern with 6.5-284 is feeding. I've read that sometimes it doesn't like to feed because of the case shape. The only thing stopping me from going with it is the thought of a trophy elk slipping away because the rifle didn't feed. Have you heard of these feeding issues with the 6.5-284?

 

[B23]

I have a 6.5-06AI semi custom built on a Howa 1500. I use 30-06 Lapua brass and run it fairly hard and get right close to 3200 with Berger 140's out of a 27.5in Lilja 1-8 and it shoots great, zero complaints with how it shoots. I also have a semi custom 6.5-284 built on a Rem LA 700 with a 26in. 1-8tw Shilen. It has more of a standard length throat so it, maybe, is giving up a little velocity but I doubt it's much. My 6.5-06ai definitely shoots faster but it's not some huge amount faster and IMO is NOT worth the extra work or expense. Both feed perfectly fine.

Just last week I was talking to Shawn Carlock w/Defensive Edge about doing his +P throat on my 6.5-284 because he gained a pretty decent amount in his 260 Terminator with the +P throat so if I gain the same 120fps in my 6.5-284 that he did in his 260 Terminator, I could very possibly have a 6.5-284 that'll shoot the 140's 3200 or slightly more, out of a 26in barrel.

If I were looking to build a new hot rod 6.5 and wanted to stay with a standard bolt face, it would be an easy decision, 6.5-284 is what it'd be and if I thought I wanted a little more performance than what the 6.5-284 could deliver, I'd talk to Shawn about doing his +P throat to it.

For me, it's a no brainer, the 6.5-284 is just so darn easy. You can use Lapua brass, there are very good dies readily available and they just always seem to shoot very well. The 6.5-06 is pretty much identical in case capacity to the 6.5-284 but the 6.5-284 is basically a load and go cartridge and, if need be, has factory ammo available. The 06 case gains very little when improved and having had both, I don't think it's worth the extra time or cost.

 

[Cal1980]

I have a 6.5-06AI semi custom built on a Howa 1500. I use 30-06 Lapua brass and run it fairly hard and get right close to 3200 with Berger 140's out of a 27.5in Lilja 1-8 and it shoots great, zero complaints with how it shoots. I also have a semi custom 6.5-284 built on a Rem LA 700 with a 26in. 1-8tw Shilen. It has more of a standard length throat so it, maybe, is giving up a little velocity but I doubt it's much. My 6.5-06ai definitely shoots faster but it's not some huge amount faster and IMO is NOT worth the extra work or expense. Both feed perfectly fine.

Just last week I was talking to Shawn Carlock w/Defensive Edge about doing his +P throat on my 6.5-284 because he gained a pretty decent amount in his 260 Terminator with the +P throat so if I gain the same 120fps in my 6.5-284 that he did in his 260 Terminator, I could very possibly have a 6.5-284 that'll shoot the 140's 3200 or slightly more, out of a 26in barrel.

If I were looking to build a new hot rod 6.5 and wanted to stay with a standard bolt face, it would be an easy decision, 6.5-284 is what it'd be and if I thought I wanted a little more performance than what the 6.5-284 could deliver, I'd talk to Shawn about doing his +P throat to it.

For me, it's a no brainer, the 6.5-284 is just so darn easy. You can use Lapua brass, there are very good dies readily available and they just always seem to shoot very well. The 6.5-06 is pretty much identical in case capacity to the 6.5-284 but the 6.5-284 is basically a load and go cartridge and, if need be, has factory ammo available. The 06 case gains very little when improved and having had both, I don't think it's worth the extra time or cost.

Great advice B3! I appreciate you sharing your experience and knowledge. Thank you.