I have a hankering for a flat shooting 6.5 that will handle 140grn heads.

I was just wondering if anyone here has some first hand experience of using the 6.5-06AI

Hi, what about the 6.5-284? from what I have read (not used one myself) it is quite a flat shooting round. I have a 6.5x55 loaded with 140gn sierra gamekings, with the right powder charge behind it it will shoot 1" high at 100 yds and point of aim at 200 yds. I have never shot beyond that so don't know how it behaves further out, but have been told it'll be about 8" low at 300yds.

Paul

I already have a 6.5X55 and love it. I have a spare M695 action in the form of a shot out .270 purchased in an auction for very little money. Hence the choice of a -06 against a .284.

At the risk of stating the bleeding obvious, Why not rebarrel in 270win?

I realise the 270 is deeply unfashionable currently, but you can push 140gr Accubonds or Interlocks north of 2900 FPS without the fuss of an obscure wildcat which will have minimal resale value.

If you want a 6.5 on a long action, the 6.5x284 is the way to go, this round requires a long action in any case.

I'm not sure that the .284 can feed correctly, since it's a slightly fatter round than a .270; it possibly couldn't even fit in the magazine.

quote:

Originally posted by Claret_Dabbler:


.....I realise the 270 is deeply unfashionable currently...

i also would say that .270 win is a great choice. it might be unfashionable amongst "chairborne" rangers and internet whiz kids but the reality of it's performance and proven game killing ability make it a great choice.

quote:

Originally posted by Claret_Dabbler:
At the risk of stating the bleeding obvious, Why not rebarrel in 270win?

I realise the 270 is deeply unfashionable currently, but you can push 140gr Accubonds or Interlocks north of 2900 FPS without the fuss of an obscure wildcat which will have minimal resale value.

If you want a 6.5 on a long action, the 6.5x284 is the way to go, this round requires a long action in any case.

Brian

At the risk of being blunt. I don't like .270's. I like many fell into the trap of believeing the hype regarding the .270 many many years ago and came away dissatisfied. Also the range of potential head weight choice etc is far greater in 6.5.

The fuss as you call it is part of the pleasure. As ultimately you hope to gain from the experience and end up with a finished article that does all that you planned. I think you'll find the action required for a .284 is dependent upon bullet choice and optimum seating depth more than anything else.

Each to his own!

quote:

Originally posted by uk roe hunter:
i also would say that .270 win is a great choice. it might be unfashionable amongst "chairborne" rangers and internet whiz kids but the reality of it's performance and proven game killing ability make it a great choice.

Some like it, some don't. Some base their opinions upon personal experience some base their opionions upon the experience of others.

I've always taken the former route backed up by the opinions of those whom I know to have a greater range knowledge and experience than mine.

If you want to do an odd-bod 6.5 just for the hell of it - have at it. You only have to please yourself.

I won't criticise, I am sitting here waiting on the variation for a 260rem....

Over the years I have built and used the 6.5/280, the 6.5-06AI, the .260AAR, the 6.5-284 and several "standard" 6.5's .(my favorite being the 6.5X54 MS --more for the rifle than the round)

Love the 160gr bullets (Now only Hornady's or customs since Sierra dropped theirs --though I stashed a quantity)

Depending on magazine length ,throat ,etc, they really are very similar in terminal performance.

The 140 -142's VLD's are also superb largely because of their match lineage.

No flies on the .270 0r .280 with good bullets either.

The AI may need some "ramp" work to feed smoothly.

I wouldnt bother with the AI to much trouble for no reward (though the cases do look nice!!!)You will reply that you can get an extra 50-100fps if you AI, well yes, but you can also get more than that with differant barrels etc.
I am having my Swede rechambered for 6.5/06 as they feed ALOT better than 6.5/284 and you dont have to do anything else velocitys are the same its also highly accurate its just a hole lot easier and i reload to.BUT its your money and up to you.

I have a 6.5x55, 6.5-284, 260, 6.5-06AI and 264Win Mag. If I had it to do over again, I would do the 6.5-06AI as a standard 6.5-06. It will come within a few fps of the AI and there is no hassle with feeding like there is on the 6.5-284. My AI feeds just fine, but the fireforming is a drag and puts un-needed extra rounds down the barrel.

The other advantage the 6.5-06 or the AI versions have is that if you get tired of them, you can just change barrels to anything based on the '06 cartridge.

quote:

Originally posted by Claret_Dabbler:
If you want to do an odd-bod 6.5 just for the hell of it - have at it. You only have to please yourself.

I won't criticise, I am sitting here waiting on the variation for a 260rem....

Brian
Nothing odd bod about the 6.5-06AI. Wildcats and AI's are around for many reason. One of them being that often they just do it better than the run of the mill bog standard stuff.

If I was holding a 595 in stock rather than a 695 I too would be looking at the .260AI with serious intent.

bumscratcher & larry


The AI configuration choice is not yet a 100% done deal. But the 6.5-06 part if a definite.

Thanks for your direct experience input, its much appreciated.

I use a 6.5-06 in preference to the .270 win and 30-06; I'm very satisfied with it. Deadly and accurate. Flat shooting, lots of power, way out there.

I reload all my rounds, 30-06 brass is easier to come by than almost anything. .284 brass is expensive and I've heard about feeding issues. in a magazine rifle.

My 270 Win is sidelined, can't find any brass.
Shotgun

Having delved into the AI issue a little further, I have been convinced that the standard 6.5-06 is the way to go.

The simplest option with the greatest return if I want to squeeze the flattest performance out of the 06 case would be to opt for a 6mm-06 rather than the 6.5.

I think you might be as happy as can be without the AI version. It's little to gain by AI'ing this round.
I have both 6,5-06, 6,5x55, 6,5-284. Now I'm planning on making myself a 6,5x55 Ack.Imp, just because of the good access to good quality brass for that calibre here in Norway. And the performance for this round is quite close to -284, and -06.