6.5x55 mauser AI Vs 260 Rem AI

[harry.hacking@kiewit.com]

I am looking at building a 6.5x55 AI or a 260 Rem AI on a yugo 48 mauser that I picked up. Which one will shoot 120grs better. My concerns with the 6.5 sweed is the base of the case is a little larger than most would I have to open up the bolt face to properly fit this cartridge. One reason I like the 6.5 is that components tend to run a little cheaper for it. I will be looking to use this rifle for mostly hunting. I would like to be able to shoot the 120's around 3000fps.

 

[1000yardstare]

The .260AI reloading dies are a stock item with Redding. The 6.5x55AI dies would have to be a special order.

 

[TOObuilder]

Not all the time. Check out Grafs site, they are showing the 6.5x55AI dies in stock.

I am running the 120gr NBT's at 3050fps with a Savage target action and 30" 6.5x55AI barrel. Not sure how the bolt face compares to the Yugo 48 mauser but the Lapua brass works fine with the Savage bolt face.

Not sure if there would be any feeding issues out of the Yugo either. That may be one thing you may want to consider checking into if you haven't already.

 

[harry.hacking@kiewit.com]

The base of the case on the 6.5x55 is .4803 where the 8mm mauser the m48 yugo is chambered in has a base diameter of .472 this is why I think I might run into problems with the sweed. I was also thinking about trying a 6.5 x 284 norma but I have heard that because it is a rebated cartridge that it tends to have feed problems. Would there even be much of an advantage over the 260 AI?

 

[mj2evans]

30/06 - 308 family is .473 base but 6.5x55 is larger. In actual use the bolt face is not usually an issue. The bigger issue to me is that American ammo makers go ahead and use .473 head brass to make 6.5x55 - this is simply not correct. Therefore you are limited to European brass if you want the right stuff. I am not trying to push you away from 6.5x55, I have a couple of Mausers and a Savage in this caliber but I think brass selection drives up cost.

 

[DukeDuke]

If you use Winchester brand brass in the 6.5x55, it will be fine.

 

[harry.hacking@kiewit.com]

When I started this I was trying to narrow down my choices. Now I am considering the 6.5-284 norma as well as the 6.5 creedmore. I still like the 6.5x55 but might be looking for a little more umph. The 6.5 - 284 norma I worry would have feed problems in a repeater is there any truth to this.

 

[jdfletch]

Hello Hack,

Seems to me that you might need to do a little more refining of your "specs". You have stated that you want to use the 6.5 ?? cartridge in your Yugo 48 Mauser for hunting and that you want to use the 120gr bullets. What kind of distance do you think you'll normally be taking game? Barrel life may not be an issue since you're using it for hunting, but what kind of life do you expect? How much work do you really want to do to create the loads? Will you be single loading or mag feeding the rounds? Just some questions for your thought.

I shoot competitively and I choose the 260 AI because I wanted something that would easily fit into (and be able to be removed from) a short action (single load only). I wanted to have less barrel heating and more barrel life than the 6.5-284, but with similar ballistics using 140gr bullets for long range competition. I think I've succeeded... My 260AI shoots the 140's @ 2800fps (close to the 2950fps of the 6.5-284), it fits the short action well, and barrel life is looking good (only time will tell!). However, case prep is a PITA! For any AI, you'll be loosing barrel life, wasting time, and shooting up $$ in components that could be used for real ammo... all to fire form the brass. IF I were to do it again, I'd choose the 6.5x55SE, use the excellent Lapua brass, and be done. Same ballistics as the 260AI without the hassle... I've never heard of anyone (yet) that needed to open-up the bolt face to accomodate the rim.

Here are some thoughts...

If you're mag feeding the rounds, the AI cartridges won't chamber as well as rounds with 30 degrees or less of shoulder angle as the chould can catch on the feed ramp.

I believe the Yugo 48 uses a control feed bolt head, so rebated rim cartridges (6.5-284) may not feed well.

120gr bullets are great and there are several choices, but if you are planning to shoot beyond 300 yards or so the 140gr bullets are much better ballistically. Also, energy on target falls off rather quickly with the 120's due to loosing speed.

A straight .260 Rem is no slouch! Yes, it's a little slower than the 6.5x55 or 260AI, but only by 70-100fps max. Brass is easy to get or make (I neck down Win 7-08 brass) and relatively inexpensive. It's perfect for shooting the 120gr bullets. It will kill anything in North America effectively with a well placed shot.

Finally, if it were me and I wanted a 6.5 caliber for all-around hunting, I would choose the straight 6.5x55SE. It's been doing the hunting thing quite well around the world for over 100 years and it's still very effective. And, in a pinch you could probably find a box in the store on your hunting trip if needed.

Hope this helps...

Doug

 

[15Tango]

I'm not sure you really need a AI in either cartridge, not the 260 at least. I know my Hodgdon book has 120s going right around 3000 with a 24" barrel and the numbers are nearly identical with the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Remember also that the sectional density of the .264" bullets are very high and if you compare a equal density .264" to another caliber that it's hard to get the other caliber up to the velocities that you can get with most of the .264 cartridges. All that velocity isn't really needed either with hunting unless you're going for long distance.

Sectional density of .264" vs .308":

.264 120 grain = .246, .308" equivalent= 165 grain

.264" 140 grain = ..287, .308" equivalent= 190 grain

.264" 160 grain = .328, .308" equivalent= 220 grain

Just something to consider.

The Creedmoor has been a real speed demon for me, if you really want speed it's a good one to go with. There's great loaded ammo from Hornady available through all sorts of vendors and the brass is decent from Hornady and you can easily make brass for it from .22-250 or .243 quite easily.

Wayne

 

[Rust]

Since the Mauser was originally built for the 8 X 57 cartrdge you could consider cartrdges based on the same case such as 6mm Rem, .257 Roberts, 6.5 X 57, 7 X 57, 8 X 57. A little more case capacity using a case made for the rifle. And correct case diameter too.

Brass is available although it would have to be necked up or down, a single pass operation.

The 6.5 X 57 is used in Europe, and in AI form should be just about the equal of a 6.5 X 284.