6.5-06 / ai

[10 mil auto]

Hi,

does anyone have field experience with 6.5-06 or the improved version? I have a remy 700 30-06 that has some barrel erosion and am thinking about a barrel job. I hunt with a 6.5 swede and am wondering if there is much to be gained. I took a bull elk with the swede and like the calibre. I am thinking that a bit more velocity and range would be nice.

I reload and can't remember the last box of ammo that I bought so that's not an issue.
I am also looking for a smith within driving distance of edmonton that can do the job

Thanks

[catnthehat]

Both David Henry and Bob Galloway come to mind.
I have run a pile of 6.5's both commercially available and wildcats, the 6.5/06 is fun, virtually the same ballistics as the 6.5/284 .
If you have lots of '06 brass that would help with your decision.
Many seem too think they have or know of a wildcat that is just as efficient, powerful, and uses less powder with more velocity than all the others.
However, there is no free lunch and no magic cartridge, no matter if you call it the SAUM, WSM, Sherman, Arch, Creedmore, Leopard, or whatever.
They all work well within their parameters.
Read lots on the various wiildcats, make a decision, and have fun

Cat

[58thecat]

You got a 6.5 swede so why not look at the 338-06?

[Huntsman]

You ever think of a 6.5/.303?
That’d be deadly out to 600-800 with iron sights

[rembo]

If I were tempted to do a 6.5-06 Imp I'd do a 6.5-280AI.

Just neck down Nosler brass, no fireforming required.

https://westtexordnance.com/6-5x280ai/

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Huntsman

You ever think of a 6.5/.303?
That’d be deadly out to 600-800 with iron sights

Done that, owned on a Martini action, fun for sure!
Cat

[Duramaximos]

Originally Posted by rembo

If I were tempted to do a 6.5-06 Imp I'd do a 6.5-280AI.

Just neck down Nosler brass, no fireforming required.

https://westtexordnance.com/6-5x280ai/

That's a very costly way to go about it.

I vote for the plain jane 6.5-06. For the sole reason that you can take advatage of the Lee Collet die and take your ammo to the next level. The same die will crush the shoulder of the AI brass.

Personally I prefer to resize 270 win brass. A little off the length and a skim off the necks and you're good to go.

[bubba300]

I like the 6.5 cal in whatever its in and a 6.5-06imp sounds sweet,I had a 6.5-06 that shot out to 1200 yards very well(target).I thought about going imp. but read there wasn't much gain. They are hard on barrels ,but as a hunting rifle and with a good 140ish gr. bullet I think it would last years and make a great hunting rifle and not many out there.I have some buddies with 280ai's that are great also and I wouldn't hesitate to go that way either if you were hunting larger game.I don't think the game at reasonable distance would notice to much difference between the 6.5-06ai and the 6.5x 55.

[Beeman3]

I’ll throw out the 6.5 Sherman. You won’t find more performance on a 270 Win parent case. Similar to the Gibb with a longer neck. Mine with a max load of N570 shoots a 140 Berger at 3339 fps out of a 28” Hart. Brass prep is a bit of work and the 6.5-06 AI would be a little easier.

[10 mil auto]

Originally Posted by Beeman3

I’ll throw out the 6.5 Sherman. You won’t find more performance on a 270 Win parent case. Similar to the Gibb with a longer neck. Mine with a max load of N570 shoots a 140 Berger at 3339 fps out of a 28” Hart. Brass prep is a bit of work and the 6.5-06 AI would be a little easier.

That sounds ideal. I want to launch a 140 grain at north of 3200 fps. How hard is it to find dies?

[10 mil auto]

Originally Posted by Huntsman

You ever think of a 6.5/.303?
That’d be deadly out to 600-800 with iron sights

Sure.. You probably have a locker full of them at work

[10 mil auto]

Originally Posted by rembo

If I were tempted to do a 6.5-06 Imp I'd do a 6.5-280AI.

Just neck down Nosler brass, no fireforming required.

https://westtexordnance.com/6-5x280ai/

That is an interesting read.

[Beeman3]

If you contact Rich Sherman over on long range hunting forum he can answer all your questions. He will rent you a Reamer and also sells Whidden dies. He has also came out with the 6.5SS or Sherman Short. Offers formed brass for these I believe. His user name over there is Elkaholic. Also do a search on there. Lots of info and guys shooting the Sherman wildcats.