6.5 06 AI loads

[kiwijohn]

Does anyone have a load to share using this caliber with
Aliant Pro Power MR2000? and 140 grain projectiles

Naturally it would only be used as an indication and working up a load would be done in the usuall cautious manner.

 

[Homerange]

No AI info only 6.5/06 but it should serve as a starting point:
http://www.adi-powders.com.au/rifle/6-5mm-06/
For a conversion guide you might find this useful:
http://www.adi-powders.com.au/powder-equivalents/

 

[MLC]

You'll find that the case capacity is very, very similar to the 6.5 SAUM if that helps.

 

[STOMP442]

I don't have any data for that powder in particular but H4831sc, H1000 and Retumbo have all given great results. The cartridge is a little bit picky I have found. It will either love or hate any of those powders I have listed. I have also had best results using a magnum primer in that cartridge.

 

[B23]

Some of the best powders are also the powders that are very difficult to get/find. RL26 is a top performer in this cartridge and because it is such a top performer in many others as well, unfortunately, it's very difficult to get too.

 

[centershot]

I have heard that this cartridge will do as well as the 6.5/284 with a lot less powder. Anyone have an opinion on this?

 

[B23]

I have heard that this cartridge will do as well as the 6.5/284 with a lot less powder. Anyone have an opinion on this?

The 6.5-06AI has a bit more case capacity than does the 6.5-284 and having both, my dad has a 6.5-06AI and I have a 6.5-284, I can tell you it's just the opposite.

With the same bullet my dad's 6.5-06AI shoots a little faster than does my 6.5-284 but he also uses a little more, of the same powder, to get there. For the most part the whole point of AI'ing a cartridge is to increase case capacity so you can stuff more powder in the case.

 

[Kurz]

In my brass:

6.5-06 Improved (35 degree shoulder) = 72 grains of H2O capacity approximately

6.5-284 Norma brass (35 degree shoulder) = 67 grains of H2O capacity approximately

Arguing over a grain here or there is fruitless. Every manufacturer has a different case capacity based on the case shape in manufacturing.
Thinner walls = more capacity.
Thicker walls = less capacity.

For the most part the whole point of AI'ing a cartridge is to increase case capacity so you can stuff more powder in the case.

In general, this is the accepted explanation.

In reality though, the shoulder angle and the slight increase in capacity contribute largely to the improved selection and burn rate range of the powders which work best in the improved cartridge.

Enjoy the process!

 

[centershot]

I would also think that the 6.5-06 would have a better barrel life than the 6.5-284.

 

[STOMP442]

The standard 6.5-06 and 6.5-284 are very close, but the Ackley version grabs another gear. While the 6.5-284/6.5-06 will have to be pushed pretty hard to get 3000fps with a 140 in standard length barrels the 6.5-06AI can get 3100 plus pretty easily using slower powders like H1000 and Retumbo.

 

[Zero333]

For Power Pro 2000-MR you can use RL-15 STARTING loads.

If you look at Alliant's 2020 load data manual and find PP 2000-MR and RL-15 data for the same cartridge/bullet, you will notice both MAX loads are either very close or PP-2000-MR has a little higher max load.

Example... 6.5 Creedmoor with 120 gr Speer Spitz SP...
PP 2000-MR max = 40.2 gr
RL-15 max = 40.0 gr

Looking at a few comparisons like one above, it looks like the bigger the boiler room the more discrepancy between RL-15 and 2000mr. But in every case Alliant shows a higher charge weight for PP2000mr compared to RL-15.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/resources/catalog/AP392_2020_AlliantPowderCatalog_SinglePages.pdf

However.. in my opinion, PP 2000-MR is not a good match for 140 gr bullets in the 6.5-06 AI, because at MAX charge weight you'll be around 85 % case fill, or less than 85 %.

 

[kiwijohn]

@Zero333 thanks for the detailed answer, exactly what I needed to know.

 

[Zero333]

You're welcome