6.5-06 Ackley Brass Recommendations

[montana_native]

Wondering what shooters of this chambering are using for brass with the best results. My reamer has a 0.2975" neck and a sample piece of 30-06 Lapua brass necked down to 6.5 gave me a loaded neck OD of 0.296" which seems a little tight without turning the neck.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[STOMP442]

I generally use .270 brass which allows me to trim the neck to my desired length and then neck turn just enough to uniform the thickness all the way around.

 

[montana_native]

I generally use .270 brass which allows me to trim the neck to my desired length and then neck turn just enough to uniform the thickness all the way around.

I'd really like to give Peterson 270 brass a whirl but it sounds as though most, if not all of their brass doesn't not lend itself to successful improved cases...

 

[B23]

My dad has a 6-06AI and a 6.5-06AI he necks down Lapua 30-06 brass as the parent case for both. His 6.5-06AI is a no turn but his 6-06AI reamer had a tighter neck diameter and he has to turn the necks with that one.

Even if you have to turn the necks, a couple hundred pieces of Lapua 30-06 brass will last you the life of the barrel. If you've gone this far and spent the money to have a custom or even semi custom 6.5-06AI built, why wouldn't you want to use the very best brass you can get...

 

[WyleWD]

I've just used 25-06 brass, lube the case mouth and run it into a 6.5-06 sizing die. WD

 

[STOMP442]

I'd really like to give Peterson 270 brass a whirl but it sounds as though most, if not all of their brass doesn't not lend itself to successful improved cases...

I just finished fire forming 50 pieces of Peterson .243 cases to .243AI and they worked beautifully. The last couple of 6.5-06AIs that I have done I have used Starline .270 brass and I have been very happy with that too. That stuff has been really good for me, very uniform and well made for the price.

 

[JLDavid]

I have 4 to 5 reloads on some necked down and neck turned Winchester 30-06 brass and have had several split case necks. I am going to reload the remaining good cases and then switch to necking up and fireforming some 25-06 brass. I may buy the brass and send it out directly for annealing before working the brass over. Another option for me might to be set the barrel back and build a 6.5PRC. Best of luck.

 

[Fast14riot]

I'd really like to give Peterson 270 brass a whirl but it sounds as though most, if not all of their brass doesn't not lend itself to successful improved cases...

I've been shooting Peterson SRP 260 brass in my 260AI, it forms beautifully and outlasts the Lapua I was using.