6.5-06 ackey improved/velocities/energy

[30-06 boy]

hey there all you 6.5-06 guys,my dad has bought a rifle chambered in the ackley imp version.26"tube,1/9"twist.he would like to work up a load with 140 amax or 142 smk.what powders seem to work well with this combo?what ballpark velocities might he expect to shoot these bullets accuratley to 1000 yards.what is your opinion on this caliber past 750 yards?thanks guys.jason

 

[P KUNDA]

Usually the slower, H4831 alike

Powders work the best. Accuracy no one can predict. Velocity over 3000fps should be achievable, even thought the 26" barrel may be a compromise. The 6.5/06AI is often a winning cartridge in 1000yards Benchrest, so sky is the limit.

Peter

 

[358sta]

Slow Powders

My father has one with a 25" barrel and we get high 2900's to low 3000's chrony'd 10' from the muzzle with H-1000 and superb accuracy - 0.500" 3-shot groups at 100 yards. This was with a Hornady 140 gr. SP, not a match bullet. We have never shot any match bullets out of his rifle but it is an accurate cartridge to say the least. Viht's N-170 also worked well with the 140 gr. Hornady SP. Hope that helps.

 

[Fiftydriver]

I would agree with these velocity expectations.

I have tested some 6.5-06 AIs that would get near 3100 fps with the 140-142 gr bullets while other would only generate around 2900-2950 fps.

Roughly speaking, the average will be around 3000 fps with top end loads. I have found best accuracy to be in the 2950 fps range for most rifles but that is certainly not the rule.

First rifle I ever built was a 6.5-06 AI and flat out loves the 140 gr A-Max loaded to 3050 fps with Rl-22.

Kirby Allen(50)

 

[Slopeshunter]

Question, for this cartridge what would you say is the ideal bullet weight to use? 130 - 140??

Thanks.