6.5x280AI

This project is a Yugo Mauser.
I started out to make a 6.5-06, that needed to be shortened .050 to fit a 140 into the intermediate action.
Then I came upon a 6.5x280AI reamer, with plans to shorten the chamber .100”.
What I am looking for is that the shortened AI case capacity will equal the original 6.5-06.
I have a short [small girl] Boyd’s Platinum stock that I profiled the barrel to fit the channel.
21” barrel is threaded for a ‘can’.
Plans to use a Hornady 280 AI Match bushing die with a smaller bushing for the 6.5.
Dies are still a week out.
Hoping that the capacity will be close to the 6.5-06 so that I have load data.

Well MoreBS,
That should work as planned....according to my limited brain power.

I like the idea if you're in need of a magazine fit fix.

I use the 6.5 x 280 AI in all it's glorious length but I'd bet in the field there won't be 2 shakes difference between our rounds.

Keep us posted once you get velocities and accuracy result.

Zeke

Zeke:

Hunting load? 129-140?

Got a bullet and powder that the gun likes?

I'm using 140 grain slugs in the 6.5 x 280 AI.
59-60 grains of RL-26 does the trick for me. (I've used the 129 gr LRAB Nosler in the Creedmoor and that works well).

I'm not a huge Berger guy but my rifle likes the 140 EOL Elite Hunter. I've used on on deer, elk and aoudad with excellent results.

I think I'd opt for a more controlled-expanding bullet for elk but it worked just fine on a cow. I also generally use larger caliber rifles on elk anyway so I really don't need to develop an elk load for this cartridge.

Zeke

Fire formed my first case.

Holds 68 grains of H2O......fired, not sized.

That is the same as a 270 and a 6.5 Rem Mag!

case length is trimmed to 2.430", .100 shorter than the 6.5-280.

you should consider this a success!!

What about an AI case but trim the neck by .1” so you have more case capacity and don’t have to shorten dies?

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
What about an AI case but trim the neck by .1” so you have more case capacity and don’t have to shorten dies?

That would work, but I hate short neck cases!

Well , dislike.

If you AI a case, I don’t mind a shorter neck if the goal is case capacity. I too like a long neck on traditional carts. Is the case capacity difference worth it? The advantages of the shorter case is the ability to use the 6.5 Creedmoor bullets in the magazine for nominal length mags and shorter cases. Maybe run a 6.5CM neck/throater as a pilot on a AI body reamer to have the good qualities of that CM system on a regular 3.34” mag length gun. Did that make any sense?

quote:

That would work, but I hate short neck cases!

Well , dislike.

Would it still be at least the diameter of the caliber in length (.284)? Doesn't seem that short compared to a number of other modern cartridges.

I have always liked the neck to be at least the caliber size or longer. It is what it is, not going to change it....Might change the barrel some day, no telling what that will be other than a 7mm something or other with a long neck.

Got an e-mail today, the Dies and bushing are ready to ship. 280 AI bushing die with a 6.5 bushing, hope it works after shortening.

They are also shipping some scope rail blanks. I want to build a 4 screw single base rail. Holes are already there.

Dam Yugo receiver, there ain't nothing straight.

Update on the dies.

The Hornady Match Full SIZE will push the shoulder back. [after shoertning]

but: Looking in the die, the shoulder looks unpolished.

It does push the shoulder back, but it looks a little rough.

The first loads:

Reloader 19

2850 with a 140 Hornady. not Max pressure.

20.3/4" barrel, not a bad start!

Did some more loading.

With 10% more case capacity than a 6.5-06, I was able to load 10% more powder.

Primers are near max and speed is 2955 fps.

Tomorrow, I will fire form more cases and shoot a group.

First target, first load. Looks like it may shoot!

bravo!
good results!