6.5-06AI

[Bob3700]

A friend of mine recently chambered up a bbl for 6.5x06AI.

There is a lot of powder burned in this case and the velocity with a 142 SMK is very impressive. He hit 3150 with his fireforming load and the primers really didn't show pressure.

His bbl is a 30 inch Bartline 5R. This is an F-class rifle for 1K shooting.

With that kind of performance, just what sort of bbl life can one expect? If you are beating a 6.5x284 I have to assume that bbl life if pretty short.

Any experience with this round and bbl life?

Bob

 

[jr600yd]

Can't speak for the AI but I get arond 2K rds from my 6.5/06 shooting 140 Berger VLD's and 142 SMK's on top of a stiff load H-4831

Good shooting, Jim

 

[bohemR13]

I got turned on to this chambering when I watched a guy at my club shoot a 24" barrel with 130 VLDs at 3390ish fps.

I helped a buddy build one a couple months ago, he's getting absolutely no pressure signs using 49.5 grains of H4831sc and pushing the 140 Bergers at 3050 fps, there's more load testing he needs to do, but he needed a seating depth to work from before trying various powders and we had book data available for this powder.

He tried a ladder test of RL22 from 54-57gr and stretched the extractor grooves by 0.0015" at 54gr... No chrony data but they were a full 1.25 MOA high at 350yd from his 3050 fps load, which means they were at least 3300 fps, probably closer to 3400.

3300-3400 fps with the JLK 140gr bullet means you're just about 18 MOA to 1000y

Short of the big ELR calibers like the 375 CT or a 338 Allen Mag, I don't know of anything that will perform like that at 1000y.

 

[summitsitter]

My Chrono must be off some..Best I got shooting 55 grains of RL22 with 140gr Amaxs was 2955..Out of 26" barrel that could be the difference. im gonna ahve to do some investigating...

 

[ChrisNZ]

.. No chrony data but they were a full 1.25 MOA high at 350yd from his 3050 fps load, which means they were at least 3300 fps, probably closer to 3400.

..

I'd be careful inferring MV from elevation zeroes. Barrel whip can do some funny things..

Chris-NZ

 

[bohemR13]

Chris, thanks for the heads up on the barrel whip, I didn't think of that at all.

We're planning to run both over a chrony this weekend, I'll see if it was whip, velocity or a combination of both. Thanks.

 

[tmr]

I have been running 140's at 3250 out of a 27" broughton with no pressure signs at all using Retumbo. Going to switch over to H1000 and see what happens next. Makes one heck of a hunting rifle.

 

[summitsitter]

I have been running 140's at 3250 out of a 27" broughton with no pressure signs at all using Retumbo. Going to switch over to H1000 and see what happens next. Makes one heck of a hunting rifle.

What grain H1000 you gonna start with..let me know the outcome..I've been wanting to try some..

 

[JLDavid]

This is very interesting!!! Please update us on the Retumbo results. Thanks.

David

 

[wboggs]

Those long barrels, a generous throat, and slow powders do wonders for velocity. Am experimenting with just such a combo in a .300RUM and getting around 3700 with the 168 Berger.

 

[The Viper]

Hi Bob,

1,200 rounds max. and your barrel will go away fast. 55.5 grns. of RL 22 Max load under 85 degrees, 3159. Lands will move forward almost .005 every 250 rounds, so adjust your seating depth accordingly.
Bullet should be seated 8-10 ths. into the lands.

 

[JLDavid]

Hello Viper. This looks pretty good for a hunting round. If you were building a long range hunting 6.5, what would you go with?

Thanks.
David

 

[RW]

I also would like to be in on the load development for the 6.5x06 ai as I have one with a 26' Krieger and I'm just starting to do load development and have some 140 bergers and 129 a-maxs. Have prepped the brass and am ready to start and was going to ask if anyone had some data! I would like to know if any one has quick load and could do the data with Norma MRP and H1000 and Retumbo, Mine is going to be for long range Hunting and informal long range target. Please keep me informed as to your progress as I will you on my build. I also have some 280 brass that I would like to use, would I have to do a two step sizing to get the 280 neck down to 6.5?
Thanks, Ron

 

[mikegaiz]

The 6.5x06AI is one of my favorite rounds. I shot out 4 barrels in IBS 1k matches 2 more on Varmints, and still shoot it for long range Varmints. 1200 is the max rounds you will get out of a barrel. I have shot Hart and Kreiger barrels 1:8 30 in. 140 Amax, 140 Berger, 142 SMK are my favorite bullets. Got as high as 3400 with a 142 and RL-22. Tried both 4350's, Rl-22 but H4831 SC was the best and most accurate around 3050. Hitting some varmints at 1600+ yds. currently shooting molly 142 bullets and H450 ball powder around 3100. It is a great round and really reaches out there. I think Molly and Ball powder makes a barrel last longer. I will let you if it makes a difference. I am currently on 3500 rounds out of a 243 with molly and ball powder. ;D

 

[JLDavid]

Has anyone experimented with Retumbo yet? If so, please let me know where you started. Thanks a ton.

David

 

[waverly]

On my second go round with this chambering. My go to load has always been 56 grns of RL-22 with 140 Bergers in the 3150 range. Both barrels are 28.5 + break.
This is a light br rifle. I have always used RWS 270 brass with a .290 neck.
Regards, Waverly

 

[seymour fish]

rL-22 gives great accuracy and 3200 fps out of a 27-1/2" pac nor with 140 JLK, yet it is temp sensitive, and heats the barrel up quickly. n-165 is equally accurate, much less temp sensitive, and allows a steady rate of fire without overheating. look at heat of combustion on Quick load. node gives 3070 fps, which i'll take all day. Seymour

 

[JLDavid]

seymour fish,

Can you run it through Quick Load with Retumbo and let me know what you find out? I have found a little data for the 25-06 with Retumbo but can't find much for a 6.5-06AI. Any help is appreciated.

David

 

[seymour fish]

jL, Glad to, if you'll give me your fired case capacity in grains of water, and the OAL you will use. Seymour

 

[JLDavid]

Do you need the case capacity to the neck/shoulder junction or the case mouth? OAL tot eh end of the bullet or to the ogive? Thanks.

David