I've decided to have a 6.5-06 built and would like to hear everyone's thoughts about whether it's worth it or not.

I do not currently handload, but plan to in the future. Dallas Reloads will handle it for now. Chad has a couple 6.5-06 loads already. How well does non-ai ammo shoot thru an improved chamber?

Velocity loss significant?

Any feeding problems? Will more than likely be on a Rem 700 action, but if needed, I could use a Tikka.....they feed everything well.

The AI is supposed to minimize the need to trim brass, but is that enough reason to justify improving it?

Velocity gain?

Would I need a 26" barrel if I go Improved? Definitely want a 24" barrel. I'm sure I'll have more questions, but any help is appreciated.

Do a 6.5-280AI then no forming brass as Nosler sells 280AI brass already.

As far as forming goes it can be done several ways. One is to fire standard loads but that is low on velocity and depending on powder burn rate doesn't always form 100% as sometimes the shoulders aren't fully radiused. 2nd option is a actual forming load using fast powder for caliber and jamming the bullet into the lands. This method always fully forms. 3rd is the cream of wheat or similar method. This uses pistol or shotgun powder and a filler to close the burn some and usually forms 90% of the case or more. Same results usually as just firing a standard load but less to no barrel wear.

^^Great idea^^

The 280 AI necked down to 6.5mm is not a bad idea. The only issue would be increased neck thickness. You would gain about 4-5 grains powder capacity.

Taking a 6.5-06 and giving it an AI shoulder should yield about 75-100 fps increase. Is it worth it, that's a personal preference. The 6.5-06 should push a 140 about 2850 to 2900 fps. Add the extra powder room of the AI, and you should be able to get 2950 to maybe 3000 fps. I wouldn't go shorter than a 24" barrel though. The extra slow burning powder will need this extra barrel length.

The necks on the Nosler 280 AI brass that I have here are .011" thick. If you neck them down to 6.5mm, they will increase to about .013" to .014" neck thickness. That puts your outside diameter on a loaded round at .292" (.014" x 2, plus .264"). If you go this route, make sure your chamber in the neck is atleast .294" to give room for bullet release.

Overall, that's not a bad idea, really. Tell you this much, if you did this project, I'd go in on a 6.5-06 AI reamer with you and split the cost of it. Reamer would run about $200 total, or $100 each, in the ball park cost. (Even a 6.5-06, also. I want to do a 6.5-06 project!)

I like the improved cases, with a wild cat like that it makes sense to go with the Ackley case.

Just called PTG, and 6.5-06 or 6.5-06 AI reamer is $148, plus shipping. About $165. Go half!!??

Dont do it, We have the reamer and have built them but they are finicky as heck and you don't get the speeds out of them

Personally I would still do the 6.5-284. I have seen the 6.5-06 and the 6.5-06 AI finicky is well. Just my opinion we have reamers for all of them and more than one for some of them.

6.5-284 wins again!

6.5-284

Based on what Derrick mentioned with his experience, I'd have to go back to the 280 A.I. leave the 6.5 mm out of it.

Load it with a 168 gr. Berger and let it eat!

Derrick,

What are they finicky about? Powder charge, bullet to lands relationship, both?

Yes, exactly and the 6.5-06 even seems to be picky on quality of brass. Its a shooter cartridge, one for a guy that just likes to tinker and mess around with loads and development and enjoys that kind of thing. If I wanted one in a faster 6.5 that I could grab and go it would be the 6.5-284 if I were building it for me personally. but everyone has their own reasons for doing things.

I have a McWhorter 6.5-280AI or as they call it the 6.5AI with a load already worked up I'm about to sell if you decide to go that route. I have bullets, brass, and powder for the load as well. Turn key once you get the dies.

Gun shot in the .3's with 140gr Bergers @ 3100fps IIRC.

20 foulers
Ladder Test 10-15 rounds
Usually yields three 5 shot groups (15 rounds)
Play with the jump .010" increments, making for another 20-ish rounds.

So it could take loading and shooting 70 rounds to find "the" load. That's a full day IF you are set up to load at the range. If you're not set up to load at the range it can become three trips, and three loading sessions.

Did one of those too for GBishop on the forum. Not a bad one, but I would take his 280 AI and his Creed all day still.

Some wildcats can be finicky but once you find a pet load you are GTG. I went through this with my McWhorter 6.5 Weatherby.

They sent me the recipe, a dummy round to set seating depth and two boxes of their handloads using new Nosler .257 Weatherby Brass, necked up to 6.5. Luckily, The gun and load lived up to their accuracy guarantee.

Of course, not being smart enough to leave well enough alone, I bought two more powders, 4 different bullets and could never duplicate the performance or accuracy of the original load.

I have allot of partial boxes of 6.5 cal bullets left. Sticking with the Berger 140VLD Hunting bullet.

I think I got lucky with my rifle, as most wild cats are funky,

NOW, I just need to sneak out to JG's and see if the infamous Swaro BDC dial is accurate to 800???

That scope is not allowed on my range. You may shoot the cattle in the pasture east of my place.

But the glass is uber awesome which makes up for everything else.

That being said Swaro just released a ffp scope with target turrets.

What kind of velocity with 130's and 140's?
How long on the barrels?

Wanting 3000 with 140's and 3100-3150 with 130's......

Edit

Why the desire for so much velocity?

I have a 260 already and wanting a bigger brother. If I need a 26" barrel to get the velocity I want, I might as well go 264 win....26 nosler is toooo much!

Too much what?