6mm rem ai worth it to build?

[Hammerdown22]

Was thinking of building a 6mm rem ai but 6mm brass is looking to be obsolete?
Is it worth the trouble? Was also thinking 6slr also. What's your thoughts?

 

[GT Accuracy]

The 6mm AI is great. You can make 6mm from 7x57 pretty easily if you're willing to invest in the dies. There are people out there making it for people if they need

 

[Hammerdown22]

What's the process of forming 7x57

 

[GT Accuracy]

I am going to have to actually change my answer and go with a non 6mm AI round. I have been faithful of this round for a long time but both Brownells and Midway are out of 7x57 and a quick google search is saying that they (norma) is done producing the caliber. If that is true the 6 AI might be dead.

If you want to get the dies anyway you will need

• 257 Roberts FL Sizing Die
• 6mm Remington FL Sizing Die
• 6mm AI Die Set (neck and fl) for when you're done fire forming

Update: Midsouth, EuroOptic, and Graf's have the 7x57 in stock but who know how much or for how long

 

[AckleymanII]

PPU brass in 7x57 is great brass, hornady makes 6 Rem brass also.

 

[Hammerdown22]

Looks like I'll probably be going with the 6mm slr
I was excited about the 6ai until I looked further into it

 

[jpretle]

hammerdown22, i have made 6mm brass from 7mm Mauser brass, w/ just one trip thru the 6mm sizer die.
Do not be deterred. It is a simple process and well worth pursuing.

 

[stacy]

MAKE MINE FROM 257 ROBERTS BRASS SAME STEPS SIZE TRIM AND SHOOT

 

[Hammerdown22]

Do you have to turn the necks on the 7x57 or 257 Roberts?

 

[rcparker1]

I have been pondering the the idea of a 6mmai myself. with the brass issue being what it is, i have been looking into the 6mm vais based off the 6.5-55 which has good brass and seems more available . They seem very close, any owners that care to share their information.

 

[jpretle]

Do you have to turn the necks on the 7x57 or 257 Roberts?

I did not turn necks for my chamber. Chamber neck is .277

 

[Racebannon3855]

Was thinking of building a 6mm rem ai but 6mm brass is looking to be obsolete?
Is it worth the trouble? Was also thinking 6slr also. What's your thoughts?

You did not say what you wanted to do with the rifle. I had wanted a Six AI for about five years and I bought a Ruger 77 from a forum member last spring. It has a 28" PacNor 1:8 Twist. My goal was a 500 yard coyote / deer hammer and I am getting close to that goal. Mine has a .268" neck and will accept 115 gr Bergers at over 3" OL. It does not feed from the magazine regardless of bullet but I'm not sure if that is the Ackley part or just the way the rifle was built. My range is 250 yards and I have fired several .5" to .65" groups with 85 gr Sierra GKBTHPs and Berger 115 gr VLD Hunters. It shoots a half dozen different bullets at 1/2 MOA or less, it is not a fussy eater. It is a lot of work to make the brass, but it fills my bill. The last thing that I am going to do is send the bolt to out to have the firing pin bushed, primers are looking funny and the folks at G-Tan can fix that for me.

My cousin had Cooper build him a .240 Weatherby for a Mountain Rifle. .240 Weatherby Brass is by Norma and is easier to find then 6 Rem. His rifle is an absolute hammer and feeds great from the magazine. It is a lot less work for a similar result. His Cooper is a hammer and he can buy factory ammo.

When my barrel gives up the ghost I will probably not do another Six AI because the brass is getting scarce. I did some reading on your 6 SLR and it looks pretty sweet. As much as I like the velocity and accuracy of my Ackley there are better and simpler ways to get the same result.

 

[maxscm]

How about a 6mm x 284 ?

 

[Brians356]

I did not turn necks for my chamber. Chamber neck is .277

In sizing down 257 Roberts to 6mm Rem the neck walls gained about .001". Sizing 7x57mm down to 257 Roberts about the same. So plan on up to .002" thicker if starting from 7x57mm. Probably not a problem in a SAAMI generous chamber. However, look for doughnuts. Also neck wall variance could increase, so neck turning should pay dividends.
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[Brians356]

You really need to read this before deciding. This really sold me on the 6mm AI.

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek042.html
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[IdahoSharpshooter]

I would opt for the 6-284. Case is a bit shorter, but much larger diameter. Think 6mm-06 capacity. LAPUA offers the factory brass, and standard dies are available. You will not need to turn case necks or any of the other stuff.

I remember reading about the origin of the 240 Wby. The original design was by George Nonte, iirc, and he made swaging dies to produce a belt on the standard 30-06 case. It is a smaller diameter (.453/.454") case than the parent '06 case.

Rich

 

[sundance]

I have had a couple of 6mm AI rifles and think it is a great prairie dog caliber in the wind.
If you look on Gunbroker there is plenty of 6mm brass up for auction.If I was going to build a rifle in a caliber that had hard to find brass I would secure the brass first.
I have read that Richard Franklin article a hundred times. He built some nice guns.

 

[Brians356]

I have read that Richard Franklin article a hundred times.

Now that's dedication. Or obsession.
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[Hammerdown22]

My plans for this rifle is 600 yard plus coyote P dog gun and 1000 yard target. I have a barrel ordered in 6mm 8.75-8:1 twist.
I have found sources for 6mm Hornady brass and I will look for brass at gun shows. It will be 5-6 month wait on the barrel so I got some time to gather brass.

 

[North Fork]

My plans for this rifle is 600 yard plus coyote P dog gun and 1000 yard target. I have a barrel ordered in 6mm 8.75-8:1 twist.
I have found sources for 6mm Hornady brass and I will look for brass at gun shows. It will be 5-6 month wait on the barrel so I got some time to gather brass.