Sizing/forming brass for 6.5-06

[sundance1972]

What do you guys use for making 6.5-06 brass, 25-06, 30-06 or 270?

From the bit of info i've read so far, all three of the above can be used, but is there any advantages in using one or the other? I don't own or reload for the 25 or 270, so don't have to worry about mixing up the ammo and destroying the rifle and/or myself. I do occasionally load for my friends 30-06 though, so would prefer not to use the same brass, even though we keep all of our stuff in separate containers.
Would also like to hear what powder/bullet combos work well in your rifle to give me a bit of a starting point.

 

[elkhuntr]

From my experience in wildcatting and based on my research on the net, necking down is a better option to avoid what is termed the dreaded donut. This is a bulge of brass created where thicker shoulder brass meets thiner neck material and can cause bullet seating problems. One key to the fire forming is bolt face contact and shoulder neck contact with the chamber or you may risk misfires. So, create a false shoulder just so the brass has a slight crush fit when chambered. Stick with Win brass as it appears to hold up better than RP or FC.

 

[BrotherRockeye]

I have 2 books here that say .270

F/L size case in 6.5/06 die.Trim & chamfer.

sorry don't load for it myself so can't help there.

 

[sundance1972]

Thanks for the info so far. I was hoping 270 would be the best bet as i have about 60 once fired winchesters in my "misc brass box". Honestly don't remember why i have them (or where they came from) but they're in there.
Hard part is waiting for the dies, hoping to have a set of Reddings on the way next week.
Have some 130gr Berger hunting vld's, 130 Matrix RBT + FB, 140 SST's and 139 PRVI SPBT to start out with. Will use the PRVI's for forming (just cause they're cheap!!) then work up some loads with the others.

 

[Pathfinder]

necking up 25-06 is easy and you dont' need to trim. I didnt' have any issues necking down 270....just quite a bit of trimming. I dont' think you can go wrong either way. If you use 30-06 there is less trimming if any but you have to check neck thickness. I dont' see any point using 30-06 unless you wanted to use Lapua cases. That being said Ive yet to form one case as the rifle is not ready yet. Ill follow this thread with interest.

 

[dan belisle]

I use 270 brass, but only because I have a whole lot of it, for mine. - dan

 

[Eagleye]

25-06 is the easiest by far to work with. One pass through the die, and load......and fire away. I made many cases when I had a 6.5-06, and found Winchester 25-06 cases are almost perfect. Once Fired cases are as good, since the neck is already expanded a bit, so no sweat to run them through the FL die, load and shoot. 270 requires trimming about .050" off the case after forming. Regards, Eagleye.

 

[mooseman1]

i've done just over a hundred with 30-06 brass ,works fine had to trimm abit and keep an eye on the neck thickness if you are using mixed brass.i had a sizing and reamer set that i sold for it.

 

[sundance1972]

Does anyone have a diagram with the case dimensions? Having trouble finding one on the net. I normally do as much research as possible before buying, but at the price it was offered to me, I grabbed it right away.
The rifle itself was built on an Interarms Mark X action and has a new 26" stainless barrel. No markings on it except for 6.5-06, so will have to do some research on it, as well. The stock is a custom handmade laminate that has been bedded.
Again, if anyone has some load info they can share, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Pesky ab]

reforming for 6.5-06

All three will work just fine,as one of the posts stated already 30-06 is a good choice if you would like to use Lapua brass and allows you to turn the necks just a little,the 25-06 brass from winchester also works and I have had no issues with it,if your chamber job is a good one the 30-06 sized down may be a little snug the first time around so check the brass in the chamber before you build your loads to make sure it fits ,there is usually a little distortion in the neck/shoulder area that goes away when fire formed,have not used the 270 brass ,but I'm sure it will work as well as the others,its a great cartridge to play with, if you look in the Hornady or Siera manuals they both have demensions.happy shooting
H.W

 

[.284]

I use 25-06 brass, h 4831 and 140 bergers. Berger emailed me the load data. The latest nosler book has the dimensions and load data for it. I thought that the low density loads would cause some finicky results but was dead wrong. You'll have fun with this one