I just got back my new 6.5-06 Ackley from Kevin Weaver of Weaver Rifles. This is a new one for me, so after fire forming some 270 Win brass with a mid load from the nosler book, I got some RL 26 and started with Berger 6.5-284 info. I have been testing the 130 Sierra Gamechangers and the 129 Nosler Long range accubonds. I started with 54 grains of RL 26 which gave me around 3040 and have worked up to 56.5 with no pressure signs which is now giving me 3170fps.

The question is what should I expect to get velocity wise, and be safe? Is 3200+ a normal velocity for a 6.5-06 ackley.
Like I said this is new to me. I will say if how it shoots so far is what to expect I'm really happy.

Specs:
Remington 700 from the early 80's.
X-caliber 26 inch #4 barrel 1-9 twist (I tried this brand as a recommendation from a friend)
I left the original BDL stock on it, it looks nice since most of my rifles now have synthetic stocks, kind of a throwback for me.
Cerakote all parts black
Trigger breaks at 2 1/4 pounds
I put my old Leupold 4.5-14 vx-III on it.

Here are my last two groups with 56.5 grains of RL 26 at 100 yards going 3170 fps.



Loaded rounds

I think that is plenty fast and another 100fps won’t real matter at most hunting ranges plus its stacking them.....

Regarding the Ai's, they like to run hot. Shoot three shot groups, increasing load .5g at a time. You may see a single bullet hole group!!! Watch pressures signs on your case head!

Best of luck!

I’d be interested in more pictures of the rifle!

Kevin does great work.

Jealous of the RL26

Awesome rifle. How do you like the #4 contour on that setup?

Here are some more pics, need to take some outside tondo it justice.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to go with a #3 or #4 but for shooting off a bi-pod or prone the barrel balances nicely. It weights about 9 1/2 pounds ready to go. I like it.

I'd be interested in seeing what your final load comes out too. I am waiting for my 6.5-06 AI bbl from McGowen so I can finish my build. I am having an 8 twist in the bbl as I want to shoot 140+ in it. I have talked to a local guy that is reloading his with RL22. I also saw one post online where a person settled on Retumbo with good results. I planned on building this rifle last year but then life got in the way. Keep the posts coming.

I put together a 6.5x06AI for my nephew with a older 700 action and 8tw.proof med.sporter 26" steel barrel.
Its and absolute hammer out to 1,000 with H1000 cci250 and Berger 140 at 3150fps.
I tested it between RL26, H1000 and Fed 215 and CCI250 primers and H1000 and the CCI250 won out the vertical was alot better.

After hearing so much about RL 26 about a year ago I bought 3 pounds of it to try. It seems like a pretty good go to powder for the 6.5-06 Ackley. Once my final loads are figured out I will try it out at 300 and 500 yards to see how the groups are.

Looks good!

Use a fed 215

I'll give them a try right now all I have been using is the CCI BR2 200 primers. I'll see what difference the primers make.

How much more case capacity over a 6.5-06? I have one built in a Doumolin Mauser action. I have given some thought to having it reamed out.

Thanks

Mine shoots 120 SPHs over Re-22 well enough that I don't see a reason to experiment. Have fun with your new Improved.

Very nice rifle. As Joel said, Kevin does good work.

Update on my 6.5-06 Ackley
I've worked up a load of 57.5 grains of RL 26 for a muzzle velocity of 3250 using the 129 grain Nosler Long Range Accubonds.

Tested at 200 yards today, I know it looks like two but this is a three shot group. It's ready to hunt now.

Congrats, job well done.

129g LRAB knock the hell out of deer, take that to the bank. We shot them in 6.5x47, 6.5 creed, 6.5x55, and 6.5 x 06, they tune easily.

You may get better luck with R#23 with a cci 250 or fed 215 like we did in a std 9T, pacnor three groove 6.5x06 loping along at 3150 and no pressure at all.
Cases were 25/06 Winchester cases. We also had fabulous luck with R#22 at 3150.

Nice groups it'd should hunt well.

I don't have a 6.5-06AI reamer, but I do have a plain jane 6.5-06 A-Square reamer [use 30-06, not 270 brass, for shorter length].

I have built 6.5-06 rifles on a Dumoulin Mauser action with a Shilen barrel in 2015.
I have built 6.5-06 on a 1965 Rem700 action with Benchmark barrel in 2017
I have built a 6.5-06 on a 2000 Rem700 action with a Bartlein 2b barrel in 2018.

6.5-06 120 gr Nos bal tip moly 3.34" 50.7 gr IMR4166 3200 fps chrono

I have killed big game with 6mmBR all the way up to 300WM, and my two favorites are 6.5-06 and 7mmRM. They reach out the furthest for me.

Very nice rifle Redside

Would you be able to confirm the COAL with the 130 Gamechagers?

I’m using them in my standard 6.5-06 and I’m 3.906 to the lands (just to confirm measuring from case head to ogive) and I’m thinking this is quite lengthy. Even when the base of the shank is seated to the neck/ shoulder junction, they are measuring 3.812. Very interested to hear what you are getting measurement wise?

Many thanks

Huh?

My COL is 3.400 with the sierra gamechanger, both it and the nosler 129 accubond hit to the same point of aim so I have been shooting both a lot this spring.

Thanks for info. Looks like my chamber spec is long throated as I suspected.

Great Caliber. Pieced this one together via 24Hr campfire. Turned out pretty nice!

Yes sir, I'd say it did turn out very nice!

ya!

GWB

That’s a super build. I really love the wood.

Now, if GW says it’s nice, that’s a complement. He got some pretty toys.

DF

I'm a piker when it comes to Jason's collection!

ya!

GWB

ttt

What is the question? You already know more than most dumb [bleep] reading this post! Too much brandy?

I’ve made alotta meat with it. 25/06 brass, 140 Berger’s retumbo

Beautiful wood. Reminds me of one of Jack O'Connor's Sheep Rifles with the beautiful wood grain and wrap around checkering.