I am attempting to help a friend who inherited a 6.5x06 rifle. It has a Mauser action and uses a barrel from a Japanese rifle. On the internet I see listed 6.5-06AI and 6.5-06 A-Square. Are all these the same? Loaded cartridges which came with the rifle and are using 30-06, 270 and 25-06 brass formed to 6.5-06. The dies which came with the rifle are RCBS and the rifle barrel is marked 6.5-06. So, what do we have here? Just a plain old 6.5-06? If so can someone either provide load data or a link where we can get that data? He has 85 grain hollow point bullets and 140 grain soft points. We have 4350, 4831 and 3031 powders. Thanks, Dave
6.5-06 Reloading
- Thread starter Dantforth
- Start date
Berger Reloading manual has a section of 6.5-06. Depends on your rifling twist, but I had very good luck with H4831SC and Fed. LR Mag primers with mid weight bullets.
My Nosler book has 6.5/06 data in it
It lists a 140 grain Nosler at 2800 FPS with 48 grains of IMR 4831
OAL is 3.3440 (SAAMI specs)
This is their max load so take that for what it is .
I used different bullets in mine .
I haven't shot one in years but when I did own one I really enjoyed it.
My hunting buddy shoots one with an RKS barrel on ot and has made some great kills with it .
I'll ask him. But I believe he is using GS Custom bullets in It .
Cat
It lists a 140 grain Nosler at 2800 FPS with 48 grains of IMR 4831
OAL is 3.3440 (SAAMI specs)
This is their max load so take that for what it is .
I used different bullets in mine .
I haven't shot one in years but when I did own one I really enjoyed it.
My hunting buddy shoots one with an RKS barrel on ot and has made some great kills with it .
I'll ask him. But I believe he is using GS Custom bullets in It .
Cat
Doesn't sound like it's a 6.5-06 AI or Ackley Improved, which is a different cartridge than the 6.5-06. I've owned a 6.5-06 AI, I used 25-06 brass necked up and fire formed. I would suggest sorting your brass into batches by headstamp, there's a very good chance you'll run into pressure problems if you run the same powder charge with all 3 types
Don;t use 3031 - way too fast burn rate for this cartridge, you'll probably have best results with 4831 with the 140gr and 4350 can work with the 85gr
Hodgdon.com lists data for 6.5-06
Side note : 6.5 PRC data is common, and the case capacity is just slightly smaller than the 6.5-06 (69grs water vs around 70-72grs for the '06) - you can use PRC starting charge data in a pinch - work up using a chronograph. The 6.5-06 should give 200 fps more than a 6.5 Creedmoor with same length barrels, so you can do some ballpark performance math easily
Don;t use 3031 - way too fast burn rate for this cartridge, you'll probably have best results with 4831 with the 140gr and 4350 can work with the 85gr
Hodgdon.com lists data for 6.5-06
Side note : 6.5 PRC data is common, and the case capacity is just slightly smaller than the 6.5-06 (69grs water vs around 70-72grs for the '06) - you can use PRC starting charge data in a pinch - work up using a chronograph. The 6.5-06 should give 200 fps more than a 6.5 Creedmoor with same length barrels, so you can do some ballpark performance math easily
6.5-06 and 6.5-06 A-Square are the same thing. 6.5-06 AI is a modified (improved) case. 4831 and 140 gr bullets do well in mine. I've also used RL 19 and 22, and N160. - dan
6.5-06 loves IMR7828 in all bullet weights.
Most folks use powders that are too fast, mostly because most of the data available dates back over 50 years.
Is your powder IMR4831 or H4831? You need to know because one, IMR, is faster burning than H.
You mention your friend's rifle has a Japanese barrel, commercial or milsurp???
Likely both the barrel and action are milsurp.
That barrel could require bullets as large as .268in diameter to shoot well. I would suggest you slug the bore and measure it.
Of the powders you list, the 4831 should give you the best accuracy and velocity results.
Almost sounds like your friend inherited the components and reloading equipment, as well as the rifle?
If this is the case, get some "eyes on" real help before you proceed.
The 6.5-06 is approaching "magnum" territory, considering bore capacity and cartridge capacity and pressures with "faster" powders can easily be attained to overwhelm either the action or the cartridge case. If the rifle has an oversize bore, it might help, but accuracy will not be good.
Depending on how old those fireformed cases are and how often they've been reloaded, a full scale prep may need to be done as well.
Most folks use powders that are too fast, mostly because most of the data available dates back over 50 years.
Is your powder IMR4831 or H4831? You need to know because one, IMR, is faster burning than H.
You mention your friend's rifle has a Japanese barrel, commercial or milsurp???
Likely both the barrel and action are milsurp.
That barrel could require bullets as large as .268in diameter to shoot well. I would suggest you slug the bore and measure it.
Of the powders you list, the 4831 should give you the best accuracy and velocity results.
Almost sounds like your friend inherited the components and reloading equipment, as well as the rifle?
If this is the case, get some "eyes on" real help before you proceed.
The 6.5-06 is approaching "magnum" territory, considering bore capacity and cartridge capacity and pressures with "faster" powders can easily be attained to overwhelm either the action or the cartridge case. If the rifle has an oversize bore, it might help, but accuracy will not be good.
Depending on how old those fireformed cases are and how often they've been reloaded, a full scale prep may need to be done as well.
They are not the same. 6.5-06 AI has a slightly larger capacity and a different shoulder profile. 6.5-06 and 6.5-06 A-Square are the same.
Your 6.5-06 is basically a 30-06 necked down from .308" to 6.5mm.
Depending on your goals and bullet weight, you're in magnum powder territory. The 6.5-06 is a great cartridge, and there are a lot of bullet choices, but not a lot of load data out there. Use a burn rate chart and start low.
Good luck and be safe.
