I presently own a 6.5-06 and love it. I have been toying with the idea of a 6.5 WSM.

I currently have 6.5 x 55 Swedes and with the 142 Match King
they do very well all the way to 1000 yds. Having said that
I am in the process of converting a Savage 110FP to
6.5 06 Ackley with 30" barrel.

I know the Swedes are able to do everything that needs to be done - this is just a "want to" project. I have had
Ackley's in the past and they do perform very well

Lee...................

I would go w/ the 6.5x.284 on a long action. It will allow you to seat longer match bullets out where you can use all the powder space. Just my 2c worth. I have a M700SA that I wanted to build a 6.5 on and went w/ the .260ai instead of 6.5x.284 because I think it belongs in a med. or long std. action. Keep us posted.

I neck up winchester 25-06 brass and then do the usuall match prep work. I fireform with a 140gr pills and a fast powder,...seat the pills well into the lands.

Best of all worlds, IMHO, would be a 6.5-06 on a long action, so you could seat those long bullets out to 3.5" or so. And '06 brass is WAY cheaper than 284.

JustC

I did now just get back home and found your post. What
are your loads for the 6.5-06AI? I have a 30" PacNor
barrel on a Savage 110FP action and a Choate Ultimate
Sniper stock. Just finished barrel break in/fireform.

It is my plan to shoot either 142 SMK or 139 Scener, and
will also try the 140 A-Max.

Thanks

Lee.................