6.5-06AI advice needed

[sambar]

I just acquired a 6.5-06AI and would love advice on how best to reload for it. After lots of searching, I think using 270 brass and neck turning seems to be the way to go but I know there are other options so open to suggestions

 

[FEENIX]

I just acquired a 6.5-06AI and would love advice on how best to reload for it. After lots of searching, I think using 270 brass and neck turning seems to be the way to go but I know there are other options so open to suggestions

A belated welcome to LRH, and enjoy! You can also use .280 RM/AI. The .280 AI might be the easy button.

 

[Dmagna]

Well depends on what brass you want to use. Lapua 30-06 brass is in stock places, if you are going to turn necks and go through the process of all that I would use lapua, might not have too either. Smith might have chambered it using a no turn neck. Unless you are 100% sure you need to turn.

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

25-06. Load and shoot, instant 26-06ai.
There is 2506 out there. Well neck up first.
Hope this helps.

 

[agr516]

I just formed 100rds of 6.5 Sherman which is very similar to the 6.5-06. I used Petersen .280 AI brass and it was very easy. Simply neck straight down to 6.5 with a bushing die and then loaded a 140gr Berger with 60.0gr of Retumbo and a 210 Federal primer. It made for a well formed piece of brass without any pressure symptoms.

 

[MagnumManiac]

Necking up is always easier than necking down because the brass in the neck CAN thicken when necking down.
However, this is not a given with every brass brand.

Necking up 25-06 brass is the way to go for simplicity.

I have tried 35 Whelen brass to form my 338-06 and necking up 30-06 brass was more successful in the fact the Whelen brass ended up inconsistent in neck thickness.

Your choice.

Cheers.