Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 6.5-06 AI Anyone?

Hey everyone,

I'm looking down the road to redo an old toy. I'm wanting to turn my 700 BDL SS 25/06 into a 6.5/06 AI. My 257 has replaced it in the 257 category and I've shot it plenty. Will save the tube.

I'm thinking it would nearly dupe the 257 WBY with 95-100gr or 129gr. pills on average. Does anyone have one or have had one and what speeds you achieved with it are realistic?

Thanks in advance,

Nate

"I'm thinking it would nearly dupe the 257 WBY with 95-100gr or 129gr. pills on average. ?"


Nope, ain't gonna get there. I and my buds are getting 3800fps in our long barrelled ROY's with 100gr TSX's and R-22. In my view, if a 6.5 is wanted there is no reason to go to all the trouble of a 6.5/06, AI or otherwise, when the 264 Win Mag will fit into the same size action and do so much more with such ease.

If you have a 257 WBY, the next logical step up really would be a 30 cal or larger anyway.

For me, my 257ROY gets pointed at anything under 500 lbs. except black bear. For bears and above 500 lbs, we go up to a fast 30 or 338 cal and if it is really big or truly dangerous the 416 gets uncloaked.

Going up a mere .007 in bullet diameter and then slowing down to pedestrian speeds with an '06 sized case gets you exactly where that you are not already well (even better) armed with the 257WBY?

Thanks for the input Mark.

What I'm looking at is manual data for the std. 6.5/06 compared to the 257 BEE. For example, Nosler #6 shows a 100 gr. 257 load tops at 3,600 from a 26 tube and a 100gr. load 6.5 going 3,550 from a 24".

By AI'ing the 6.5 I'll get 100 fps roughly. I am in no way saying it would beat or equal the BEE, powder cap is not there, but it would get reasonably close, with great B.C.'s less powder and longer barrel life, no? Better by far than AIing the 25/06? I think so, but since I have not done it I don't know...

I don't want to open the boltface on this gun; too few around here would do it and those who would might not make it work..it works fine and am going to leave it.

Plus, good 270, '06 and 25/06 cases are all over the place here and buying a 257 WBY is just a trip to the gunstore. (grins).

Oh, BTW, budget will be for a re-tube only; bad economy you know (grins).

For the 6.5 itch in a long action, I think 6.5-284.

Its a proved round with great ballistaics and match componenet readily avilalble.

Good luck scrathing the itch.

BMT

HawkI;

If/when you want to part with that .25-06 tube, let me know. I have a buddy who wants to turn his 700 BDL .30-06 into a .25-06, and preferably with a SS tube.

Long time fan of the 6.5mm. I started my love affair with the .264 WINCHESTER. What I did not love was the short barrel life. When I went to the 6.5/06 I thought that was the cure for the short barrel life, wrong it only got a little better. When I got down to the 6.5/.284 well you should know that story, as long as the barrel is measured like they do a telephone pole and you use a 3 foot drop tube to get enough powder in the case.

If you are one of the guys that just can't live with out doing an AI, then go to the 6.5X55 and either go with the 35 degree shoulder instead of the 40 degree shoulder, or go with the .264 in the Vais chambering. Good barrel life (not overbore) you have both hands on the wind (which is why we love the 6.5mm bore in the first place).

Now more than ever before we have really great bullets for the 6.5mm's. Take advantage of the bullet situation.

One in 8.5 or a one in nine twist in a top barrel maker, have it installed by a great BR smith and you will live the dream. For get the hot rod hype, animals are not killed by high velocity, rather by shot placement and correct bullet construction.

I keep hearing myself repete this to my customers all the time, more powder than you need, only gets you trouble with bullets staying together.

Get realistic about the yardage you need to get the job done, will most of your shots be beyond 600 yards? What is the gain by adding a 1,000 fps to a ctg that only gives me 2800 fps. I suppose that if the 6.5x55 has killed all the game on this planet and it track record won't be as good as mine because I will be shooting a faster ctg? After a while you must start to wonder where this kind of thought process is going to end up?

Hawk-I used to run a 6.5/06 a fair bit and have a couple of buds who have run it a whole lot. As well I have a group of friends who have been totally taken with the 6.5/06 AI pill in a big time manner.

I've not fired a AI round yet that I can recall but from what these guys have told me (and this is a fairly serious lot of shooters/hunters) I would think it would run with a 257 Wby very well and would about bet on it beating up on it at the long distance and windage game.

My experience has been that with the 257 3600 is a sane speed in a 26" tube and I am pretty sure you could do that in a AI's 6.5 in similar length.

For the heavier slugs 3300 is pretty much the end of game with the 120's in the 257 and I'd be for betting you can either get that or come very close with the AI and a 130 and that bullet will walk all over the 120 in a 257 at distance and wind.

Personally I feel that you're on the right track if you're serious about long range (500+) on a consistent basis.

Dober

One las thing, most of these boys are using the 130 Berger and either R22 or one of the Vit powders.

Dober

Thanks gentlemen,

I'm basically looking at the cartridge for some target shooting and coyotes. I personally won't shoot any game past 400 yds. and would just as soon get closer.

I'll be at the light end of bullet weight 95-129 trying to duplicate the 257 Wby. with the least amount of powder, with economical, easy to find brass.
The speed I want just for giggles. Looking to test some bullets at fairly fast speeds on deer sized stuff. Will probably fireform with cast, so wear isn't an issue.

A 6.5 x 55 has always sounded neat, but I'd put it in a short action.

Thanks for the powder info Mark. I'm thinking RL-25 might get a shake too.

Its probably going to be next spring before I re-tube and re-stock it; got one about done I'll have to pay for!

Nate

Offer still stands on the .25-06 tube.....

Awl right; what was the offer?

When I get down to the wire you are the first and only in line. ONLY!
I've got a log of the rounds through it, he might want that info before he screws it on (it ain't bad).

Thinkin' we'll find a way to get it to your locale in VA?

We'll find a way to get it where it needs to go. Ship to the other office address, oughta work.......

Likely the pard won't mind the shots down the tube. I'll be cleaning it out for him, and having it screwed onto the CM action of his, likely as not working loads as well. Figure he won't give a damn about rounds down the tube...... 'specially if he don't ever ask, and I don't volunteer.........

I've got a 6.5-06 AI that I like pretty well. It's an 8.5 twist, and definitely prefers 140 gr bullets over the lighter ones. I can get 3300 fps out of the 120 BT, and 3250 from the 125 Partition. Either groups in about an inch. The 140 AMAX consistently goes into sub .6's at 100 and around 1" at 200 with a mv of around 3050 fps. I haven't tried the lighter pills. With my rifle, I've found I don't gain much over the 6.5-06, but I have almost no freebore in mine at all - COL of 3.27" leaves the AMAX just off the lands.

Here are some 6.5-'06 cartridges loaded with the Berger 130 Gr VLD: they look fast enough just sitting there. I used a 9" twist Shilen barrel with No. 3 contour. The best group I have shot with this rifle was with 120 gr Nosler Solid Base bullets (.227" for three shots).

I thought about the Ackley version, but decided it wasn't worth the trouble.

jim

Hunter Jim what is the oal on those little beauties that you are showing. I don't know what action but I bet you must be pretty
close to max. Thanks Cheers NC

Just out of curiosity, why not a 6.5-280AI?

6.5/06 is a nice round, which led me to build 2 6.5/06AI, which led me to build a 264 Win Mag.

130 Accubond with a BC of .488 @ 3300 fps is good stuff.

Thanks for more input fellas. It appears my suspicions are pretty close to reality. What length tubes, fellas?

Huntr, I did look at 6.5-280 AI for chamberings through a few makers. Will '06 headspace cases have too much thinning at the web (jamming bullets into lands), or must I use 280's? Looks like I would...

Thanks all you guys for your help. I am going to do this regardless, just after Xmas/ New Year (cross my fingers!)

Again, thanks.

Nate

Sorry Tim,

Thanks also!

A couple of years ago, I built a 6.5-06AI that I now refer to as The Truck Gun. (Since it's so darn heavy.) 26" Pac-Nor 1:8

It's mainly for antelope & coyote hunting.

I throw 140 Hornady SSTs at around 2950-3000, and I don't think I'm pushing it too hard. Of the slower powders (Re-25, H1000, IMR7828), I've had the best success with Re-25. I'm going to work up a load with 129 & 140 SSTs using Re-22, though.