Using 30-06 and 270 Brass for 6.5-06

[SweaterDood]

I use an X Die in my 308 and 223 which uses a mandrel and prohibits case lengthening. I like that particular setup but it isn’t offered in 6.5-06. I’ve done a lot of measuring in the last few days and really just need to do more load work up And try some 140s as well. I probably have about 60 rounds through it now. Any advice on who to get to make a mandrel. I have used a Lee collet before and liked it in 308. I had also thought about getting a die honed out.
This rifles purpose is informal shooting to 1200 yards and long range deer and hog depredation. No competition or anything like that. I want accuracy, as much as I can get out of it and honestly if it’ll stay under 1/2” I’m fine with it. I haven’t found the load yet that is consistent enough to give me good 1000 yard groups so I need to dial in on consistent speed a bit. I did shoot 1 group of 140s today that was consistent across the chronograph but my main focus has been on 147s.
Unfortunately one of my biggest hindrances to good groups is table manners. I broke my back 17 years ago and it took 9 operations to put Humpty Dumbty back together again. I have 11 fused vertebrae from tailbone to shoulder blades, a titanium plate and disc in my neck and have constant spasms everywhere. If I keep those under control my groups stay decent.
Its a 6.5-06 A Square Match Criterion barrel in Sendero profile. Not the AI. While the Ackley is interesting, I don’t want anything that has to be fireformed.

I would order a honed Forster Die, if they make one for a 6.5-06 A Square. The honing charge is nominal. For a mandrel I would get either a Sinclair mandrel die and 6.5mm mandrel, or one from PMA, 21st Century, etc. they all do the same thing for around the same $$$. Carbide mandrels allow skipping of the inside neck lube step.

 

[L.Sherm]

Carbide mandrels allow skipping of the inside neck lube step.

Just a bushing skips all that.

 

[Turpentine]

Thank you guys. I’ll take a look at all of it. I have always liked Forster dies and equipment. I got out last week with the chronograph and just tried some Remington 30-06 brass I had. It weighed the exact amount and the RP 270 brass but consistently gave me 60 more ft on the chronograph. So with 30-06 brass ßsI dropped .4 to get on the node with 147s and she was 2895 with sd 3 and es of 6 over five shots. My first 3 were under .25, the 4th and 5th put me just under 1/2. That’ll work all day long and twice on Sunday for what I want. Found a very consistent load with 140s too with Win 270 brass. ES under 10. The primer pockets held up nicely with the 30-06 brass as well. I wouldn’t mind buying some better brass but a lot of my brass is lost out of the window at dark.

 

[SweaterDood]

Just a bushing skips all that.

Not exactly. A bushing sizes the outside of the neck and/or limits over sizing of the neck prior to expanding back to desired size. A mandrel sizes the inside of the neck, which is arguably more critical since the inside is where the bullet interfaces. I use both. Consistency has been much better with a mandrel, than with a bushing die, alone.

 

[L.Sherm]

O.k, that depends on brass and brass prep