Your Thoughts on the 6.5 x 55 AI
- Thread starter GOPHER-CHOKER
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- Eastern Edge of the Foothills
I wanted a bit more velocity from my 6.5x55, so I had it rechambered to 6.5-06. Same case capacity as the 6.5-284. I like it. But I killed quite a few deer with the 6.5x55 as well!
burnt_servo
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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- right in the middle of b.c.
the 6.5x55 ai has a much straighter case .
this means much higher case life and greatly reduced rearward thrust against the locking lugs .
this might not be a big deal with a modern action , but in a 96 action , reducing the pressure on the locking lugs reduces the chance of lug set back and possible case head seperation.
this means much higher case life and greatly reduced rearward thrust against the locking lugs .
this might not be a big deal with a modern action , but in a 96 action , reducing the pressure on the locking lugs reduces the chance of lug set back and possible case head seperation.
The main advantage of AI is the less trimming that's required, IMO.
Have often pondered going AI during the last 35 years of Swede shooting, but never have gone for it.
Since using Lee collet dies and Lapua brass in the 6.5X55, the amount of case stretch I'm getting is greatly reduced. So have lost interest in the AI.
Have often pondered going AI during the last 35 years of Swede shooting, but never have gone for it.
Since using Lee collet dies and Lapua brass in the 6.5X55, the amount of case stretch I'm getting is greatly reduced. So have lost interest in the AI.
I am always amused by people who will go to the expense of an AI to extend brass life. Do a cost-benefit analysis and see how long it takes for the ledger sheet to balance - of course that's only if brass life is extended, because AI shooters promptly crank up the pressure to a ridiculous degree ("I get 200 fps more than before!") and in doing so reduce brass life.
As for reduced bolt thrust - that's a fallacy. I know I'll go to AI-Hell for this, but people refer back to Ackley's book and his "tests" with the 30/30 and continue to buy the notion that tapered cases literally "squirt" out of the chamber, while straighter cases grip the chamber like they're welded in. Not true. Bolt thrust is the product of casehead area and pressure, and "Ackleyizing" a case does nothing to change that.
Go AI if you need 50-75 fps more MV or want the cool factor. I shoot a 6.5X55, and have come close a couple of times to rechambering it to 6.5-284 which makes much more sense than 6.5X55 AI. More capacity (same MV at much lower pressure, or higher MV at same pressure), standard brass and dies. I didn't, because I realized I didn't need to (but if I ever want to, I'll do it).
As for reduced bolt thrust - that's a fallacy. I know I'll go to AI-Hell for this, but people refer back to Ackley's book and his "tests" with the 30/30 and continue to buy the notion that tapered cases literally "squirt" out of the chamber, while straighter cases grip the chamber like they're welded in. Not true. Bolt thrust is the product of casehead area and pressure, and "Ackleyizing" a case does nothing to change that.
Go AI if you need 50-75 fps more MV or want the cool factor. I shoot a 6.5X55, and have come close a couple of times to rechambering it to 6.5-284 which makes much more sense than 6.5X55 AI. More capacity (same MV at much lower pressure, or higher MV at same pressure), standard brass and dies. I didn't, because I realized I didn't need to (but if I ever want to, I'll do it).
I'm kinda leaning this way on the question, too.
But then in addition to rifles in 6.5x55mm I also have one in .264 Win Mag. Kinda negates the 'need' to 'improve' one of the 6.5x55mm's.....
NAA.
6.5x55 AI treads right on the heels of the 6.5-06, and that's not a bad place to be. - dan
I've never heard of the 6.5x284 as a barrel burner, it wouldn't be any more than say that wild cartridge...the 270.
I don't get why people want to AI everything. the 6.5x55/260 rem is great just the way it is, if you want more velocity go for the 6.5x284 or 6.5-06.
I don't get why people want to AI everything. the 6.5x55/260 rem is great just the way it is, if you want more velocity go for the 6.5x284 or 6.5-06.
6.5x55 AI
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It's a great cartridge but why bother unless you have a very specific need.
By the way, I know many long range varminter who use 22-250 AI and 244 AI because of improve case life, longer barrel life and better accuracy.
The downside is that AI cartridges don't feed well from a magazine (a huge no-no for me). So I'll keep on trimming my cases.
On 6.5-284
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As used by F-Class shooters, 6.5-284 is a barrel burned with a useful life as short as 800 rounds. They drive a 142gr SMK at 2900-3000fps...
6.5x55 AI is loaded hot by F-Class shooters so expect the same issues.
Factory 6.5x55 is very mild 142gr SMK at 2600fps and gets great barrel life.
Alex
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It's a great cartridge but why bother unless you have a very specific need.
By the way, I know many long range varminter who use 22-250 AI and 244 AI because of improve case life, longer barrel life and better accuracy.
The downside is that AI cartridges don't feed well from a magazine (a huge no-no for me). So I'll keep on trimming my cases.
On 6.5-284
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As used by F-Class shooters, 6.5-284 is a barrel burned with a useful life as short as 800 rounds. They drive a 142gr SMK at 2900-3000fps...
6.5x55 AI is loaded hot by F-Class shooters so expect the same issues.
Factory 6.5x55 is very mild 142gr SMK at 2600fps and gets great barrel life.
Alex
The 6.5-284 is no more a barrel burner then the 6.5-06, which is it's ballistic twin. When you quote stats like that it means something to BR shooters, but for hunters and casual target shooters that is years of shooting.
Most AI's will need their mags tweaked a bit to feed properly, so will 98 Mausers converted to fire cartridges they weren't designed for (like that insane wildcat, the 30-06, lol).
As to why you would AI a rifle? Because you already have that rifle, and you want more performance from the rifle that you already own, rather then buying another. FWIW - dan
Most AI's will need their mags tweaked a bit to feed properly, so will 98 Mausers converted to fire cartridges they weren't designed for (like that insane wildcat, the 30-06, lol).
As to why you would AI a rifle? Because you already have that rifle, and you want more performance from the rifle that you already own, rather then buying another. FWIW - dan
I built a 6.5x55AI on a CZ medium length action. I wanted something different and custom. That was my only reason. Dies were $220 for the AI. It is a cool cartridge. Will it kill any better, no. Will it save me money on brass in the long run..... don't care. I am fireforming my second batch of 100 Lapua brass and then will start to cook up an AI load. After talking with another nutter with one, he chases the 6.5-284 pretty hard coming in above 2900 with a 142gr. I'm not as interested in eeking every last bit of velocity out of the round. Just wanted something cool and that you don't see every day on the firing line. I also like the high BC of the 6/5 bullets, great performance on animals and the recoil is mild. Great round!!! Worked for me. But thats me.
I will have the throat lengthened out though. I want to seat those bullets further out as the 140 grains 6.5's are so long and get buried in the case with a regular 6.5x55 COL. I have the room as the action is .30-06 length. I won't get to 3.340", but I will make 3.2-3.3". Good enough for me.
I have no feeding issues with the formed case. The rifle is controlled round feed and I can cycle the empties through the gun... no modifications.
I will have the throat lengthened out though. I want to seat those bullets further out as the 140 grains 6.5's are so long and get buried in the case with a regular 6.5x55 COL. I have the room as the action is .30-06 length. I won't get to 3.340", but I will make 3.2-3.3". Good enough for me.
I have no feeding issues with the formed case. The rifle is controlled round feed and I can cycle the empties through the gun... no modifications.
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
thought about it once.....meh. Didnt' want to mess with the eternal goodness of the swede. I do have a couple of 6.5-06's that wont' see as much work but are nice for the added MV.
Ditto. I was thinking about a 6.5AI for a precision rifle, but I think I will probably just go with the tried and true 6.5x55. No need to fix what ain't broken.
Couldn't have put it any better than he did!
And that's the spirit that leads to experimentation and innovation. Lol. - dan
- danAnd that's the spirit that leads to experimentation and innovation. Lol.
Heh, don't get me wrong. I am not suggesting that anyone should not try something different or new if they're wanting to do that. Fill your boots!
Just in that this particular case, I decided (for myself, and no one else) that the expected gains were too marginal to be worth it.
tylerjwitty
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Northern Ontario
be like me and use a 6.5 wsm.thats fun
Well, or 6x57 (std or improved) or 6.5x68. Both good cartridges. - dan
