Cartridge Choices for Long Action Build?

[john 800]

I was thinking about having a rifle rebarreled, a long action 700 rem, currently a 270. Do I keep it a 270? 280ai? Gee I like the 6.5 bullets with a higher bcs… do I do a 6.5-06?
With all tbe different cartridges that are so close in capacity, both standard and wildcat I am a bit surprised nobody has made a 06 lenth case that is rebated like the 284. Probably not worth it, but neither are how many other new cartriges.
What do ya think? Would you build something off that case?

 

[civil82]

I was thinking about having a rifle rebarreled, a long action 700 rem, currently a 270. Do I keep it a 270? 280ai? Gee I like the 6.5 bullets with a higher bcs… do I do a 6.5-06?
With all tbe different cartridges that are so close in capacity, both standard and wildcat I am a bit surprised nobody has made a 06 lenth case that is rebated like the 284. Probably not worth it, but neither are how many other new cartriges.
What do ya think? Would you build something off that case?

Weatherby developed the 6.5 RPM that is rebated, and about 30-06 length if I remember right.

 

[3Sigma]

280ai or 30-06, depending on what powders you have and what bullets you can find.

Throat them long, add a wyatts box, and run them 3.6 to 3.65 oal.

A 30-06 like this is nearly a 300wsm; a 280ai pushes a 7mm Remmy mag

 

[Adam in WI]

280 AI would be fun. If you prefer 6.5 bullets, why not keep things simple and go 6.5-284?

 

[acloco]

Long actions were MADE for 6.5x55 AI.

 

[Walt Krafft]

The 6.5-284 and the 6.5-06 are ballistically identical. Even use the same load date for the most part. In 6.5, I like the 284 cartridge and have several of them. They really need the long action to shoot long bullets without taking up powder space. In 7mm, the 280AI has nearly the 7mm Magnum's performance without the belt and in a standard action.

 

[357Mag]

I was thinking about having a rifle rebarreled, a long action 700 rem, currently a 270. Do I keep it a 270? 280ai? Gee I like the 6.5 bullets with a higher bcs… do I do a 6.5-06?
With all tbe different cartridges that are so close in capacity, both standard and wildcat I am a bit surprised nobody has made a 06 lenth case that is rebated like the 284. Probably not worth it, but neither are how many other new cartriges.
What do ya think? Would you build something off that case?

John -

Howdy !

For a slightly rebated case, one could wildcat using the 9.3 X 62..... for example.


Regards,
357Mag

 

[55fairlane]

280ai or 30-06, depending on what powders you have and what bullets you can find.

Throat them long, add a wyatts box, and run them 3.6 to 3.65 oal.

A 30-06 like this is nearly a 300wsm; a 280ai pushes a 7mm Remmy mag

Pardon my stupidity, but is a "wyatts box" ?

 

[3Sigma]

Pardon my stupidity, but is a "wyatts box" ?

No stupidity.

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They mainstreamed extended length internal magazines in the 700. Let's you have a much longer overall length and you can use longer bullets and increase powder capacity. You just have to have enough throat or freebore to accommodate.

 

[WyleWD]

JMHO, build something off the '06. In no particular order 6.5-06, 7-06 or AI either of those two. WD

 

[jackieschmidt]

Long actions were MADE for 6.5x55 AI.

I think a lot of shooters live in ignorance about the 6.5x55. They read that the set pressure for the case is an abysmal 45,000 psi, because there is always the possibility that somewhere on the planet somebody might try handloads that truly matches the cases potential in an old Krag Jorhgenson rifle.
They think the problem s the brass, when in reality the Lapua 6.5x55 brass is some of the finest made.

The fact is, the Lapua 6.5x55 case is a thoroughly modern case that when Ackley Improved and using a long throat can give great performance with any available 6.5 mm bullet. A good friend of mine developed a 7mm Ackley Improved version of the 6.5x55. He calls it the 284 Geramo and it shoots the 180 Bergers great.

there is a slight problem. The case rim is enough larger than a standard .473 case and there are rifle bolts that it will not fit it with enough clearance.

 

[HTSmith]

The component shortage has put me out of the experimentation mood. I've been looking for 6.5 cal Nosler Accubonds for about 2 years now. I'd say go with what you have the most components for. The 270 Win is not a "cool" cartridge these days, but IMHO it's one of the best hunting rounds in existence. Have fun with it.

 

[JEFFPPC]

A straight 270 or 280 is hard to beat. Straight 280 was my go to deer rifle for years. I usually shot it at the velocities listed for the Ackley version, or a bit more. New cartridges for the most part are developed for new sales, not because they offer some great magic improvement. Wind is the real deal. The hunter who uses it properly gets the deer. The shooter who judges it properly wins the match. Not sexy, nothing to sell......" Just the facts Ma'm"

 

[Spoonbill]

6.5 06 Improved. Especially if you have a bunch of 270 Win brass already. Does a number on whitetail

 

[Fuj]

There is a slight problem. The case rim is enough larger than a standard .473 case and there are rifle bolts that it will not fit it with enough clearance.
View attachment 1333757

Yes Sir !! I have a good pile of the ol' 6.5x55. I keep telling myself
there is a worthy cat in that brass, but catting .284 Win brass solves
the case head problem. One of these years I may turn the heads in a
collet to make them fit better, and create something from there.

 

[john 800]

What kind of speeds am i looking at with a 6.5x55 ai? What powders does it like with 130-140gr bullets?

 

[SKWERLZ]

280AI would be my choice
Shoots regular 280 fine and 280 AI ammunition isn’t hard to find if factory ammunition is your thing.

With 190 Berger’s in a fast twist you’ll be supersonic well past a mile if shooting steel is your thing.

And ballistics approaching the big 300 magnums and beating many 338’s without the recoil or cost.

 

[DaveTooley]

What kind of speeds am i looking at with a 6.5x55 ai? What powders does it like with 130-140gr bullets?

4831 was my go to powder. Velocity depends on barrel length. I shot 140's in a 30" barrel right at the sweet spot. 3,000 FPS No reason to go faster as accuracy lives around 3k FPS

 

[3Sigma]

280AI would be my choice
Shoots regular 280 fine and 280 AI ammunition isn’t hard to find if factory ammunition is your thing.

With 190 Berger’s in a fast twist you’ll be supersonic well past a mile if shooting steel is your thing.

And ballistics approaching the big 300 magnums and beating many 338’s without the recoil or cost.

That ain't staying supersonic at a mile unless you are above 5000' elevation. The 7mm 190 has great ballistics, and out of a long barrel at 2800fps it runs on the heels of the big 338s, but let's call it how it is.

 

[PopCharlie]

So many good bullets in 6.5 and .30. 6.5x55 ai seem very interesting.

PopCharlie