6x55AI Swede
- Thread starter Phil
- Start date
I’m sure someone has. It’s a lot of case for a 6mm though. You’d be burning a lot more powder for very little gain over a 6SLR, 243AI, or 6AI. Greg is correct that the 6mm Rem AI has nearly identical case capacity but with a .473 case head rather than the .480 case head of the Swede. Big benefit of the Swede is Lapua brass. I recently built a .257 Rob AI (kinda...) and lack of quality brass is the major letdown.
Is this something you are seriously considering building? If so what is your goal for the cartridge? Also the 40* version of the 6.5x55 is called a BJAI, since Bob Jourdan was the first do “Ackley” the cartridge, making this a 6 BJAI.
Is this something you are seriously considering building? If so what is your goal for the cartridge? Also the 40* version of the 6.5x55 is called a BJAI, since Bob Jourdan was the first do “Ackley” the cartridge, making this a 6 BJAI.
AckleymanII
Gold $$ Contributor
that .480 case head....urrrrhhh!
KMart
Gold $$ Contributor
JGS Reamer print
There are several different versions that come to mind, The BJAI, Ackley, and GWI. There are several threads on this. Here is one.
There are several different versions that come to mind, The BJAI, Ackley, and GWI. There are several threads on this. Here is one.
6.5x55 AI versions....
I am looking for information on the different versions of an 'Ackley' style Improved 6.5x55 swede. I understand that there is a 40 degree AI version, a 6.5x55 BJAI, and a 6.5x55 vias? No doubt there are other versions as well. I have heard it said that the BJAI is the best one.....but...
forum.accurateshooter.com
Last edited:
Phil
Gold $$ Contributor
The intent would be to use it as a 6AI with Lapua brass, and easier to form.
Primary use would be rock chucks with the 75-87gr vmax, i already have a magnum bolt face action so that piece of the puzzle is already taken care of.
I have a 6.5 BJAI (had two, first one shot out), and am finishing the build on a 6 Rem AI.
My gunsmith hunts varmints with the 6 Rem AI, so I lucked out and was in good hands. When I started my build, I also fortunately found 18 boxes of unfired Norma brass in 6mm Rem from the '70's.
On case head diameter, everyone cites that, but I have not encountered a single one that doesn't fit in a .473 bolt face. I'm shooting mostly Lapua brass (beige box) in my 6.5 BJAI, with some PPU for plinking, and started with S&B. I found, with the S&B, the rim web thickness varied, and some would not fit into my shell holder.
Fire forming takes two firings to fully fit the chamber.
Cannot remember exactly why I went with the 6 Rem - but know I didn't want a Creedmore.
My concern with necking down the 6.5 Swede is you would probably require neck turning a fair number of cases. A 308 to 7mm/08 is a similar size down. I did ~200 of those when I couldn't find any 7/08 brass -- wound up turning easily half, and culling a dozen.
Edit to add : Be sure to get your barrel in a good twist for the bullets you intend to shoot. With 87gr Vmax, I would go with a 1:9 or tighter.
My gunsmith hunts varmints with the 6 Rem AI, so I lucked out and was in good hands. When I started my build, I also fortunately found 18 boxes of unfired Norma brass in 6mm Rem from the '70's.
On case head diameter, everyone cites that, but I have not encountered a single one that doesn't fit in a .473 bolt face. I'm shooting mostly Lapua brass (beige box) in my 6.5 BJAI, with some PPU for plinking, and started with S&B. I found, with the S&B, the rim web thickness varied, and some would not fit into my shell holder.
Fire forming takes two firings to fully fit the chamber.
Cannot remember exactly why I went with the 6 Rem - but know I didn't want a Creedmore.
My concern with necking down the 6.5 Swede is you would probably require neck turning a fair number of cases. A 308 to 7mm/08 is a similar size down. I did ~200 of those when I couldn't find any 7/08 brass -- wound up turning easily half, and culling a dozen.
Edit to add : Be sure to get your barrel in a good twist for the bullets you intend to shoot. With 87gr Vmax, I would go with a 1:9 or tighter.
Last edited:
SBS
Gold $$ Contributor
While the 6.5 Swede is a little larger than a .308 size (standard), it is not a magnum bolt face and wouldn't work with one. Some find it a little too big to work in an enclosed standard bolt face (I'm one of them), so make sure of the bolt face fit before jumping into necking down the 6.5 Swede.
Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
I've heard some of the custom actions with tight tolerances don't fit the 480 case head.
Spook
Captured too late to be fully domesticated.
Barnard among them
Liven The Dream
Gold $$ Contributor
I did a 6mm Remington 1-7.5 30" Tube for a Prone Rifle Driving 115 D-Tack = 1100 to 1250 Barrel Life .
I was a gas at 1000 yards .
Went to a straight 6.5X55 on a Barnard Action Must use Winchester Brass ( smaller Head ). You don't have to open the Bolt Face.
Not sure 1-8 32" Tube 140 Berger HB. Very good 1000 yard Prone Rifle . Barrel Live 1700 to 2000 .
Good Luck .
6 Remington case is almost a 6.5X55 ??
I was a gas at 1000 yards .
Went to a straight 6.5X55 on a Barnard Action Must use Winchester Brass ( smaller Head ). You don't have to open the Bolt Face.
Not sure 1-8 32" Tube 140 Berger HB. Very good 1000 yard Prone Rifle . Barrel Live 1700 to 2000 .
Good Luck .
6 Remington case is almost a 6.5X55 ??
GT Accuracy
Site $$ Sponsor
Everyone above is correct on the 480 case head which is something to be discussed. My initial convo with Phil was to find an easier case to operate from and deliver the 57-59 gr of water capacity that the 6mm Rem AI provides.
Currently, since Norma isn't really shipping the 7x57 or 257 Roberts cases anymore, that leaves hot rod 6mm shooters to either form 6 AI from 8x57 Lapua brass, or go a different direct entirely. The 6x284 is out of the game due to water capacity being in the upper 60s and you get powder choke due unless you rock a 32" or even longer barrel with the 75/87 gr bullet classes. Going down in capacity you get the 6mm Creed and the 243 AI, which to many of us 6AI shooters, are just kind of BLAH.
Enter the x55 Swede case. It sits at .4 grains larger than the 6mm Rem with both cases in their parent, un-AI'ed forms. When you blow out the shoulder it should remain very close to the 6 AI in powder capacity. This high 50's volume should provide the boiler room needed to see 3900 or damn close to it from a slow twist barrel and a 75 gr vmax.
the other concern I am trying to weigh out is CIP pressure concerns vs SAAMI. After scouring the net and talking with Jim Borden, there seems to be a difference of opinion vs where the pressure ratings are taken vs whether the metallurgy is just different for CIP built cases vs SAAMI. I am tending to side with the idea that the pressures are the same but the CIP is just monitored differently than SAAMI and thus has a smaller number. Similar to Miles vs Kilometers.
I have attached the case capacities and my first iteration of the reamer print....yes It's gonna be tweaked
Currently, since Norma isn't really shipping the 7x57 or 257 Roberts cases anymore, that leaves hot rod 6mm shooters to either form 6 AI from 8x57 Lapua brass, or go a different direct entirely. The 6x284 is out of the game due to water capacity being in the upper 60s and you get powder choke due unless you rock a 32" or even longer barrel with the 75/87 gr bullet classes. Going down in capacity you get the 6mm Creed and the 243 AI, which to many of us 6AI shooters, are just kind of BLAH.
Enter the x55 Swede case. It sits at .4 grains larger than the 6mm Rem with both cases in their parent, un-AI'ed forms. When you blow out the shoulder it should remain very close to the 6 AI in powder capacity. This high 50's volume should provide the boiler room needed to see 3900 or damn close to it from a slow twist barrel and a 75 gr vmax.
the other concern I am trying to weigh out is CIP pressure concerns vs SAAMI. After scouring the net and talking with Jim Borden, there seems to be a difference of opinion vs where the pressure ratings are taken vs whether the metallurgy is just different for CIP built cases vs SAAMI. I am tending to side with the idea that the pressures are the same but the CIP is just monitored differently than SAAMI and thus has a smaller number. Similar to Miles vs Kilometers.
I have attached the case capacities and my first iteration of the reamer print....yes It's gonna be tweaked
Attachments
GT Accuracy
Site $$ Sponsor
Indeed. I think we might see 3-3.2 gr of increased capacity
Phil
Gold $$ Contributor
As per usual, that didn`t get typed out how I meant it to sound.........
I have a magnum action with the larger ejection port, the action also has a .473 bolt, I figured that it would need to be opened up.
I have some Lapua brass on the way, just to confirm.
Thanks for making me re-read my post and clarify it...
Phil -
Howdy !
If you did want to use a .308 bolt face action: the wildcat could be formed in 9.3 X 62 brass, which has a slightly-rebated 470" rim, .476" base diam ; and .451" shoulder diam.
Just thinking......
With regards,
357Mag
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.