Best way to make 6.5-06 brass?

[montana_native]

I am going to start accumulating stock to reload for this "soon-to-be-completed" gun per my gunsmith.

What is the best way to get 6.5-06 brass? Is it worth the trouble to get Lapua 30-06 brass and neck down or will Winchester of Remington 25-06 brass get the job done. I'm not sure how hard this cartridge is on brass.

Thanks.

 

[Nodak7mm]

I use the 30-06 Lapua in mine. Thats all I have ever used.

Nodak

 

[Dirtball]

This topic was discussed over on LRH about a week ago, (link below), the advantage of using Lapua brass is that it will withstand higher pressure loads and will give MUCH longer case life than the other brands.
But 25-06 or even 270 (will require more trimming) can also be used. You just have to decide if you want to neck up or down, and it could also depend on the neck diameter of the reamer used for your chamber.
Dave

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f28/forming-6-5-06-brass-52771/

 

[montana_native]

I was concerned about having to turn necks with the 30-06 brass as opposed to just going with 25-06.

Thanks.

 

[wapiti25]

I have built 2 6.5-06's. I have used all kinds of brass including millitary. One of my rifles has a long neck so 270 win can be used. I'm about to lengthen the neck on the other. Necking down from 277 bullets to 264 is fine if you can live with the factory neck thickness with out turning. I also shoot two 25-06's and made brass out of 30-06. I'm not real happy with the 25-06 brass that I have tried, win and rem. I do anneal and turn the 30-06 and I started annealing after 4-5 firings- I think it has helped accuracy and cut down on split necks. I have not used lapua yet. To form from 30-06 I use 30-06 first with out the expander then 270 with out the expander and then use 6.5-06 full size or neck after that. this proccess keeps the neck thickness better than 30-06 to 6.5 in one pass. I anneal before I start and again after 2 firings.

 

[montana_native]

Thank you for the info. I think I will try the Lapua brass and hopefully I won't have to turn necks.
I will also try necking down in stages as suggested.