6.5/06 AI fireform

[remingtonman_25_06]

Did a little bit of fireforming with the 6.5/06 AI last night. Got the rifle back from the smith with a freshly threaded 5/8x24 and a new MBM 4 port CF3 Beast brake.

I had some 143g Norma Bondstrikes over 55g N170 and 140g VLDs over 55g N170 loaded up in necked up Winchester 25/06 brass, WLR primers, and both bullets jammed .020". Velocities were right around 2850fps. Cases came out great. 10 shot group with the 140g VLDs was right at .75" and could be covered with a quarter. This was also done in 20 mph winds. The 143g Normas weren't bad either with an 8 shot group right at 1" And it put both bullets into the same POI.

Can't wait to get the rest of these fireformed with some 140g NBTs over 50g RL23. Then I'll be moving along to H1000, 140g ELDMs and 147g ELDMs for load development.

Rifle is a Stiller Predator action, 26" HV Bartlein 8 twist, MBM CF3 4 port beast brake, McMillan HTG Stock, Jewell trigger set at 4oz, Warne Mountain Tech Rings and a 5-25x Vortex Strike Eagle.

I think this rifle is going to be a hammer!

 

[SJB358]

That thing looks great. Seems like it’ll be a great shooter as well. I bet those 143 Bondstrikes would be pretty serious.

 

[Aussie Wanderer]

I have a 6.5 barrel sitting at home waiting for a purpose. I have considered this cartridge as an option. Do you know what the case capacity is? I have been a fan of the weatherby 6.5RPM but the price of brass is hideous and I suspect the 6.5AI would be close, maybe between it and the 6.5PRC

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

I have a 6.5 barrel sitting at home waiting for a purpose. I have considered this cartridge as an option. Do you know what the case capacity is? I have been a fan of the weatherby 6.5RPM but the price of brass is hideous and I suspect the 6.5AI would be close, maybe between it and the 6.5PRC

The 6.5/06 AI case capacity is approx 73-75g depending on what brass is used, and how its measured. It will throw 140s at 3100-3150 fps with a 26" tube. Which almost mirrors a 264 Win Mag burning 10g less powder.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

That thing looks great. Seems like it’ll be a great shooter as well. I bet those 143 Bondstrikes would be pretty serious.

Thanks Scotty! Not a bad looking rifle. I traded a higher end Valdada scope for it. Always wanted a 6.5/06 AI and this is about perfect as it gets for a long range antelope and mule deer round out here in EO.

I really want to shoot the 147g ELDM out of it, but I'll settle for the 140g ELDM. Whichever the rifle prefers with H1000 is what it will eat!

 

[JD338]

Very nice Jorey, congratulations. Looks to be a shooter.

JD338

 

[Hunter26]

Awesome looking rifle and cool caliber. As you've proven, fire form loads can be quite accurate! I hunted with & killed several deer and hogs with my FF loads for the 6.5-270 JDJ.

 

[SJB358]

Thanks Scotty! Not a bad looking rifle. I traded a higher end Valdada scope for it. Always wanted a 6.5/06 AI and this is about perfect as it gets for a long range antelope and mule deer round out here in EO.

I really want to shoot the 147g ELDM out of it, but I'll settle for the 140g ELDM. Whichever the rifle prefers with H1000 is what it will eat!

I’d almost be astounded if the 147 didn’t shoot. I haven’t found a rifle yet that bullet didn’t shoot really well in.

 

[IdahoCTD]

The 147's dont like going fast. Anything over 3000 and the accuracy gets eradict. They work well in a 6.5prc in the low 2900's. My kids have killed a few elk with them and my dad has shot a half dozen with his Creedmoor. The 140's are tough. I shot several elk with those at 3285fps from my 6.5-300wm. Shot a deer at 1004yds too, and then I had to hike accross the canyon to get it.

 

[Slimfinn]

Shot a deer at 1004yds too, and then I had to hike accross the canyon to get it.

Lessons learned haha

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

That's when the real work begins haha

 

[Hunter26]

The factory 147's shoot great in my 6.5 PRC, but doing less than 2800 in a 24" barrel. I wish I had an AI case on the 30-06 family to compare to my 6.5-270 JDJ. I think I have a 280 AI somewhere but I'm in the middle of moving, so it'd be hard to find. Here's a pic of a FF'ed 6.5-270 JDJ with 130gr AccuBond & a load with 140gr Bergers ready to be fire formed. I've killed deer & hogs with both.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

The factory 147's shoot great in my 6.5 PRC, but doing less than 2800 in a 24" barrel. I wish I had an AI case on the 30-06 family to compare to my 6.5-270 JDJ. I think I have a 280 AI somewhere but I'm in the middle of moving, so it'd be hard to find. Here's a pic of a FF'ed 6.5-270 JDJ with 130gr AccuBond & a load with 140gr Bergers ready to be fire formed. I've killed deer & hogs with both.

Isn't that pretty much a 6.5-06 AI at that point? I mean a 270 is based off the 30-06. Looks good though!

 

[Hunter26]

Very similar for sure, but 60° shoulder and blown forward even more, so more capacity than any AI on the 30-06 or 30-03 case.

 

[Ridge_Runner]

Kirby Allen says if you use boatail bullets you do not have to size 25/06 brass to fireform 6.5/06 AI, just prime load and fire.

 

[phil]

Kirby Allen says if you use boatail bullets you do not have to size 25/06 brass to fireform 6.5/06 AI, just prime load and fire.

With a little graphite perhaps?

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Kirby Allen says if you use boatail bullets you do not have to size 25/06 brass to fireform 6.5/06 AI, just prime load and fire.

I've read that also. It's not a big deal just to run them through the 6.5 expander. Takes all of 10 minutes.

 

[Ridge_Runner]

With a little graphite perhaps?

Well there is .007 difference in diameter between the 2. Have effortlessly expanded .308 cases to .338 using a die and the leverage of a press.