6.5-280 Ackley Improved?

[Derek M.]

I read an article about a hunt by Ron Spomer if I recall correctly and he used a 6.5-280AI. Never heard of it. Anyone else? So now, my curiosity is peaked and I'm thinking maybe I want one.

Anyone have this caliber? Anyone know a builder with the reamer? Anyone have good load data and velocities?

Thanks.

 

[MudRunner2005]

That would be a 6.5 Sherman. Do a search here on the forum for it. You can find where to get dies, and it's best to use Norma .270 Win brass for fire-forming your cases.

Contact a guy on here named Rich Sherman. His username is "Elkaholic". He is the proprieter of the caliber, so he can give you any and all info you need.

I hope to build one someday as well.

 

[Derek M.]

That would be a 6.5 Sherman. Do a search here on the forum for it. You can find where to get dies, and it's best to use Norma .270 Win brass for fire-forming your cases.

Contact a guy on here named Rich Sherman. His username is "Elkaholic". He is the proprieter of the caliber, so he can give you any and all info you need.

I hope to build one someday as well.

Ahh, ok thanks. I have discussed with him the 270 Sherman but not the 6.5. In the article, it mentioned Nosler 280 AI brass as the parent case and easily necking it down to 6.5mm.

 

[squeezenhope]

McWhorter currently has one available on their website.

 

[Derek M.]

McWhorter currently has one available on their website.

I will check it out but I can piece one together of equal quality for less money. Thanks for the heads up. I shoot left handed, however.

 

[yobuck]

other than the catchy name im wondering what difference between a 6.5.06 ai?

 

[Derek M.]

other than the catchy name im wondering what difference between a 6.5.06 ai?

Isn't 280 brass slightly longer than 30.06? Max of 2.54 v. 2.494 I think

 

[MudRunner2005]

Isn't 280 brass slightly longer than 30.06? Max of 2.54 v. 2.494 I think

That's why the 6.5 Sherman uses .270 Win brass because it's longer than all the others in the standard bolt face calibers.

 

[Edd]

A 270 case has a longer OAL than an 06 case but the length from the base to the shoulder is the same.

A 280 case has the same OAL as the 270 and is longer from the base to the shoulder.

 

[yobuck]

i know guys who use 270 brass in their 6.5.06s. powder capacity is the
important thing and this one wont be any different than the standard 06 ai.
a 280 is a 7mmx06 plain and simple.

 

[stomp442]

Yep I use 270 brass for my 6.5-06AI. The longer length of the 270 case allows for a longer neck dimension after the case blows out and shrinks after fire forming. My rifle is a Winchester model 70 with a 26" shaw barrel. 59 grains of H4831 is giving me a velocity of 3180 fps and will put five shots in 3" at 800 yards.

 

[Derek M.]

A 270 case has a longer OAL than an 06 case but the length from the base to the shoulder is the same.

A 280 case has the same OAL as the 270 and is longer from the base to the shoulder.

This is a FACT

a 280 is a 7mmx06 plain and simple.

This is inaccurate.

Base to shoulder 280: 1.9992" 30.06: 1.9480" The difference is subtle. Looking in my Speer load book at the specs on all 3, the 280, 270, and 30.06, the best brass for a conversion as far as numbers is certainly to use 280AI cases for 6.5. Less fire-forming work on the brass than using a 270 except for the neck. Oh well, either one can be parent case.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I just had an awesome thought....I'm building both a .25-06 AI and a .280 AI....

Can I just neck-down Nosler .280 AI brass (new SAAMI spec) for my .25-06 AI, or is the .25-06 AI chamber .014" longer like the older Ackley .280 AI chamber is?

 

[yobuck]

I just had an awesome thought....I'm building both a .25-06 AI and a .280 AI....

Can I just neck-down Nosler .280 AI brass (new SAAMI spec) for my .25-06 AI, or is the .25-06 AI chamber .014" longer like the older Ackley .280 AI chamber is?

be careful you just might end up with a 25x280ai. a whole different animal
than all them other 25x06ais.