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6.5-06' experiences.

I have built (3) 6.5-06 rifles with the A square reamer.
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In September 2015 I called up Forster and went around and around until they sent me a 25-06 Full length sizer die body honed out to a 0.292" neck.

That would make it an ideal 6.5-06 sizer die body, for $57. [double the honing charge]
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I called up Lee and went around and around until they agreed to reduce a 270 mandrel from a collet neck die down to 0.262", but leave the top 1/4" alone to fit a 270 collar.

This will make it ideal for turning a 270 Lee collet neck die into a 6.5-06 die.
$20 plus shipping [quadruple the standard mandrel reduction charge]

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At both Forster and Lee they had to go talk to the machinist to ask if it is possible.

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120 gr Nos Bal tip moly with 50.7 gr IMR4166 powder 3.34" that QL estimates at 3236 fps 65 kpsi
chronograph 3197 fps

0.87" 5 shot 100 yards.
 

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Been there, done that. Built a BSA in 6.5/06. A close friend had a 6.5'06 AI. However, I later built a Mauser in 280 Ackley to Nosler brass measurements. Left it dead in the water.. Fabulous on deer. Easy to tune and a SAAMI calibre.
 
Just got back from the range, first time shooting my 6.5-06 in at least 18 months. My H4831 is gone so I tried VN560 and started with Vhita 6.5-284 load data. Starting load was 50.0 g awith trusty 142g SMK and didn't get chrono no those first 4 shots. But 51.0 next batch and I was over 2900 fps and no pressure signs. Two more loads at 51.5 and 51.7 and hit 2998 on last shot. Used CCI 250 Magnum Rifle primers as that's all I can find. So i had to adapt to the times, powder and available primers and I have picked up over 150 fps and am just starting to load up. Re-thinking maybe I will get a tag for next fall after all. Thanks Brandon !!!
 
I have a 1926 VZ24 action that was fitted with a 6.5-06 barrel sometime before the early 1970s (most likely in the 1950s or 40s, as it was my Father's).

Reloading has always been done with .30-06 and 6.5x55 Swedish dies - but this allowed for inconsistent headspacing.

I recently picked up the Hornady #546280 2-die 6.5-06 set - not realizing that any such thing as a "6.5-06 A-square" existed, nor that that is what the Hornady dies are for.

In another forum I saw a comment claiming that there was no practical dimensional difference between the "classic" 6.5-06 (like the one I have) and the "A-square" 6.5-06.

Is this correct, and will the Hornady die set work for my rifle (within normal chamber variation)?

Thanks in advance.
 
In another forum I saw a comment claiming that there was no practical dimensional difference between the "classic" 6.5-06 (like the one I have) and the "A-square" 6.5-06.

Is this correct, and will the Hornady die set work for my rifle (within normal chamber variation)?

Thanks in advance.

jonbearman said in the second post of this thread that there was .0002" difference. If you can measure that - congrats = No difference​


Sorry, I don't know how to get the BOLD off.
 
I have the A square 6.5-06 reamer.
My chamber will not take necked down 270 brass without a trim.
I use 30-06 brass necked down and no trim.
 
Got two 6.5x06 rifles with 26" barrels, they will equal the 264 Win Mag with a factory 24" barrel, and burn 20% less powder, but the 6.5x06 is as accurate as the 6.5x284, has the exact same case capacity and thus the same trajectory, etc. It was old man Hodgdon's favorite hunting rifle, it is a do all rifle, bar it's to moose. Red mist a woodchuck or drop a bull moose.
If you want to see something load up an 85 grain Sierra JHP and a case full of H-322 and watch a milk jug full of water at 200. at 3,900 fps. You get two muzzle blast sound, the second is the jug explosion.
The PO Ackle loads are achieved with a vibratory cleaner and a slow pour with a funnel on HiVel #2 (H-322). I have actually shot 160 grain round nose bullets right through a 5' in diameter spruce tree. It does have scary penetration, similar to a arrow, once it starts moving it is hard to stop.
I have had a 6.5x06 since 1967, so have favorite loads that are warm, but not dangerous.
Were I to build another it would have a 26" Lothar Walther computer lapped Magnum Sporter SS 1-8 twist barrel with 8 flutes to give good rgitity but lightened to near shorter weight with a .250 over sized recoil lug and the action threads trued and cut .010 over sized and an M-16 style extractor.Ligs hand lapped to 100% contact. Hrafspaced to just barely sweep on lock up. Put it in a nice piece of wood.
This is my Jard single set Rem 700 trigger, 4/3.

IMG_0097.jpeg
 
I had a 6.5-06 on a tikka T3 action..
I used to buy once fired Norma 270 brass..
Yes they needed trimming as they have much longer necks than the 25-06 cases.
It did like the H4831sc and 142gr smks for target work and 140gr amaxs for hunting..
I put 2500 shots down the barrel and in the last few days before it was going off to be rebarreled in 284 I shot 2 consecutive 630yds rabbits.
 
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Had one on a BSA Monarch Marvellous cartridge. Don't shoot 140g Speer - not one made the target - puffs of grey smoke at 25 yards. Never wounded a deer with it - Nosler Partitions or Sierra GK's.
 

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