Reforming brass: .30-'06 to 6.5x55?

[DRNewcomb]

I have a couple of military Swedish Mausers that I enjoy shooting but I can't find the stash of 6.5x55 brass I thought I had. Among what I have, I noticed one reformed .30-'06 case (e.g. LC 67), which indicates to me that long ago I was playing around with reforming .30-'06 to make 6.5x55. (I have a vague recollection of a week I spent forming 8 mm rimmed Austrian and other such antique stuff from other calibers.)

Has anyone else reformed .30-'06 to 6.5x55 and how well does it work? Should I just go shopping for 6.5x55 brass instead?

P.S. I just checked Midway and 6.5x55 brass runs 53¢ to 91¢ ea. Since I have tons of .30-'06 brass on hand, it might be worth my while to try a little reforming.

 

[RonAKA]

Lapua makes 6.5x55 brass. I jump at getting Lapua brass any time that is an option. With careful reloading and annealing practices, you should be able to get 20+ reloads out of one case, making the cost of brass one of the cheapest components. Also starting with brass that has been fired in another gun, is a poor way to get started in a reloading cycle.

 

[JRS]

Look at the base diameter difference.

Buy the 6.5x55 brass.

 

[flatlander]

There's also the difference in casehead diameter to consider - the 6.5x55's head dia is .011" larger than the '06's, according to my VihtaVuori loading manual.

I used mostly WW 6.5x55 to begin with, but had also purchased a few boxes of Lapua when I found it on sale for $25/100 back in 2002. Never had any problems with the WW, and in fact, used it in a few 1000yd any/any prone matches with good results. But I've not been able to find any of it for several years, so have resorted to the purchase of Lapua again. Jeez, what a tragedy - to have to lower myself to using some of the best brass available....lol

 

[Barlow]

Lapua makes 6.5x55 brass. I jump at getting Lapua brass any time that is an option. With careful reloading and annealing practices, you should be able to get 20+ reloads out of one case, making the cost of brass one of the cheapest components. Also starting with brass that has been fired in another gun, is a poor way to get started in a reloading cycle.

But the Lapua brass and save yourself a ton of headaches and time. Barlow

 

[DRNewcomb]

Thanks guys. I dug around the nether recesses of my shop and found the Zip Loc bag containing the missing brass.

And considering that these rounds will be fired in a stock m/94 carbine or a m/38 rifle, I think since the current price of Lapua brass is 91¢ each, I'll use the stuff I've got.

 

[Brians356]

I've seen Lapua 6.5 Swede cases on sale a few times recently, it pays to check around often, and subscribe to vendor specials updates. FWIW.
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