6.5 x 06 Just input

[ptsdvet]

Just acquired 6.5x06 Have a load using H4831 and 140 grain Hornady but what dies Full Length or just neck sizer/ seater? The best choice on brass to fire form and loads you have used for tight groups This be my hunting rifle Have a 6.5 x 284 love it!

 

[Farmerboy78]

I have one, I use rcbs fl dies. Hornady makes one as well. What is the twist? Mine is a bartlein 8.5 twist. I'm getting 3015fps with a 140gr hybrid and re26. I use norma brass exclusively for this rifle.

 

[L.Sherm]

Just get you some 30-06 FL bushing die and use the correct bushing. The seater just change out the 06 stem for a 6.5.

 

[JTB]

6.5-06 has been the main reason I have become sold on the 6.5 caliber. I use 58.5gr Retumbo to push 142 ABLR at 3050 from a 24" 1:8 barrel, 0.015 off lands. Best brass option for me has been the Norma 270. I use the RCBS 3-way cutter pro case trimmer to make quick work of shortening the longer 270 cases. Takes some time to set up the trimmer initially but once you get it right it produces great results. This combination has not failed us over several years on deer and elk

 

[Ross1147]

+1 on the Norma brass. I went with 25-06 though and just necked it up. I shoot the AI so I stick with neck sizing only. I have a FL but haven't used it yet (on 4th reload right now).
I currently have a batch of lapua 30-06 brass and just playing around I set one up for the 6.5-06. A lot more work, I had to trim and neck turn to get it to chamber. I'll probably just stick with the Norma.

 

[Don A Parsons]

I'm sending 3 of my brass to Hornady to get them to make me a match grade set of dies...

My primer injector for that job,,, then set the sizing die expander up high in the die to keep the run out low with less diviation,,, 0.0010 to 0.0015 max if I see 0.0005 run,,, its a big Grin fore sure...

Hornady will send me a starter ball to find out how my neck tension is,,, then I can add or subtract this since the match dies are easy to adjust,,, and thier cost efficient to buy...

Plus I can shoulder bump the brass with them,,, 0.0020 to 0.0025

I have 400 Lapua brass to size down in a few weeks...

 

[laker]

One of my favorite rounds. Wife has done a lot killing with hers with a mild load of h4350 under a 140 berger for 2850fps. I've used h1000 to break 3000 with 140 Bergers but she didn't like the recoil. Also had a load with rl26 that pushed 140vlds to 3100. I've used hornady and nosler 25-06 with good results

 

[Trnelson]

6.5/06, was my first semi-custom build and first 6.5. I have had four of them over the years, including a 6.5/06AI. I've been through a handful of 6.5/06 chambered barrels over the years. I'm down to just one currently. My last two have used the same reamer and the same custom built CH4D full length sizing die. As others have mentioned, Norma 270 brass is the best choice in brass. IMO, Don't waste your hard earned money on anything else.
Depending on what your barrel twist is the preferred powders vary. If yours is a 9 twist look hard at H4831sc and your favorite 120 or 130. I've had good luck with berger 130 AR hybrids at 3,130 FPS. The 140 class may work if you have sufficient elevation. If you have an 8 twist I'd start with your favorite 140, and look for your best results right around 3,000 FPS. H4831sc is still a decent choice, but you won't find best performance with it and 140 class bullets. I'd also take the time to try Retumbo, Norma 217 or IMR 8311 and settle in with what your rifle likes best. I don't post any load data on the public forum, feel free to PM and I'll be happy to share! Welcome to the club!!

 

[Farmerboy78]

I run norma 30-06 brass. No neck turning or trimming to length to make it fit. Run it through my fl sizer and presto. My fireforming and normal load is exactly the same.

 

[Zac Bishop]

I run a 6.5-06 that I had built on a Tikka action and put a 24" Proof carbon 8 twist barrel on it. I am using RCBS full length sizing die and running Hornady 25-06 brass through it.
I am running 53.6gr of H4831sc behind a 143gr ELD-X and getting 2975fps. It's been a bughole grouping rifle from day one.

 

[comen]

View attachment 136539 6.5-06 has been the main reason I have become sold on the 6.5 caliber. I use 58.5gr Retumbo to push 142 ABLR at 3050 from a 24" 1:8 barrel, 0.015 off lands. Best brass option for me has been the Norma 270. I use the RCBS 3-way cutter pro case trimmer to make quick work of shortening the longer 270 cases. Takes some time to set up the trimmer initially but once you get it right it produces great results. This combination has not failed us over several years on deer and elk

Just acquired 6.5x06 Have a load using H4831 and 140 grain Hornady but what dies Full Length or just neck sizer/ seater? The best choice on brass to fire form and loads you have used for tight groups This be my hunting rifle Have a 6.5 x 284 love it!

Just acquired 6.5x06 Have a load using H4831 and 140 grain Hornady but what dies Full Length or just neck sizer/ seater? The best choice on brass to fire form and loads you have used for tight groups This be my hunting rifle Have a 6.5 x 284 love it!

Some loads I have seen from other sources on the internet rival what I get with my 6.5-280 AI; Here is some pressure tested data from Hogdon:

140 GR. SPR GS-SP
Starting Loads -Maximum Loads. Brass-Win. Primer-Fed 210 Barrel 24"
Manufacturer-Hodgdon, Powder- H1000, Bullet Diam.- .264", C.O.L.-3.200"
grs: 49.0 vel.-2,570 pressure-52,900 PSI
53.5C 2,761 62,600 PSI
Manufacturer-IMR, Powder IMR 7828 SSC --------------------, C.O.L.-3.200"

45.0 2,482 48,600 PSI
50.5 2,766 62,000 PSI IMR IMR 4955 -------------------------------------- 3.200"
43.4 2,498 53,800 PSI
47.7 2,703 63,400 PSI Winchester Supreme 780 ----------------------------------3.200"
48.6 2,669 54,600 PSI
51.7 2,801 61,300 PSI
Hodgdon H4831 ------------------------------------------3.200"
45.0 2,542 52,300 PSI
49.5 2,731 62,300 PSI
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V -----------------------------------3.200"
45.0 2,635 48,900 PSI
49.0 2,848 61,600 PSI
IMR IMR 4831 -------------------------------------3.200"
43.0 2,532 49,500 PSI
47.8 2,772 62,300 PSI
Hodgdon H4350 -----------------------------------------3.200"
42.0 2,558 52,400 PSI
45.5 2,737 62,700 PSI
IMR IMR 4451 -------------------------------------3.200"
41.2 2,432 51,400 PSI
46.0 2,652 62,800 PSI
IMR IMR 4350 ------------------------------------3.200"
42.0 2,521 51,000 PSI
46.8 2,742 62,300 PSI

 

[epoletna]

I just re-chambered my 6.5-06 to 6.5 Creedmoor because I wanted to be able to use commercial ammo in the rifle. It shot nice at a 6.5-06, but I have not yet got it shooting as well in Creedmoor. I just need more range time!

I have a set of RCBS dies that I'd sell if you're interested. I believe they are now a special order item. I also have some formed cases I have no use for. I made most of my brass out of .270 Win. brass. Resize and trim, and you're set to go.

PM me if you're interested in the dies or brass.

 

[MNbogboy]

Recommend FL over neck sizing for hunting calibers in adverse conditions (ie; windy dusty, cold snowy/frosty). Tighter fitting neck sized unfired ammo can and will stick when conditions are poor. A dusty day on the Wyoming prairie proved that to me making it difficult to extract a chambered round.

 

[Goodtobetheking]

Some loads I have seen from other sources on the internet rival what I get with my 6.5-280 AI; Here is some pressure tested data from Hogdon:

140 GR. SPR GS-SP
Starting Loads -Maximum Loads. Brass-Win. Primer-Fed 210 Barrel 24"
Manufacturer-Hodgdon, Powder- H1000, Bullet Diam.- .264", C.O.L.-3.200"
grs: 49.0 vel.-2,570 pressure-52,900 PSI
53.5C 2,761 62,600 PSI
Manufacturer-IMR, Powder IMR 7828 SSC --------------------, C.O.L.-3.200"

45.0 2,482 48,600 PSI
50.5 2,766 62,000 PSI IMR IMR 4955 -------------------------------------- 3.200"
43.4 2,498 53,800 PSI
47.7 2,703 63,400 PSI Winchester Supreme 780 ----------------------------------3.200"
48.6 2,669 54,600 PSI
51.7 2,801 61,300 PSI
Hodgdon H4831 ------------------------------------------3.200"
45.0 2,542 52,300 PSI
49.5 2,731 62,300 PSI
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V -----------------------------------3.200"
45.0 2,635 48,900 PSI
49.0 2,848 61,600 PSI
IMR IMR 4831 -------------------------------------3.200"
43.0 2,532 49,500 PSI
47.8 2,772 62,300 PSI
Hodgdon H4350 -----------------------------------------3.200"
42.0 2,558 52,400 PSI
45.5 2,737 62,700 PSI
IMR IMR 4451 -------------------------------------3.200"
41.2 2,432 51,400 PSI
46.0 2,652 62,800 PSI
IMR IMR 4350 ------------------------------------3.200"
42.0 2,521 51,000 PSI
46.8 2,742 62,300 PSI

Does anyone offer custom ammo? I'm not set up to reload...