How much difference is there between the two?

I would think it was minimal if at all. You are looking at 1.999" from casehead to the beginning of the shoulder with the 280 case and 2.199" to the base of the neck. With the 06 case you have 1.948" from casehead to beginning of the shoulder and 2.109" to the base of the neck. These are the only differences. a .051" longer body and a .090" longer shoulder favoring the 280rem case. The 6.5-06AI is already overbore, and the lesser volume case is probably a better bet for trying to get as high a load density as possible not to mention dies are easier to find unless you are having them cut the by the same reamer on blanks.

boilerroom:

While I shoot a standard 6.5-06, if the AI'S float your boat build one. When we talk wildcats, why not have the exotic things we wish. In my rifle I have decided to shoot a 120 grain sierra spitzer, this is all I am interested in as I have other bullet weights covered by other rifles. The 120 gets around 3200fps, and really does the job on antelope.

Jerry

You are talking About 1-2 tenths of a grain difference in capacity. I have my own wildcat with a little higher capacity than the 6.5 Gibbs. If it was my $$ I would go 6.5-06 and never look back.

I'm a part owner of a 6.5/06 AI as we speak. Only til my friend sorts out his firearms licencing issues. I bought the rifle cheap and he paid for all the custom work. I put the scope on which he replaced finally with his own. I told him if he never goes through with sortting out his issues, he never becomes the true owner. He's comfy with it and it gives me something to play with. He's the one thats going to hunt with it though and I just enjoy the load work off the bench. It really shoots.

I was wondering about load data realy. I've come across some loads for the 280 AI and was wondering about crossing over. Hunting season is almost here and I just want to cut out some of the work and start off with other people's loads. I'm doing alright with the 125gr. Partition but the magazine is mangling the noses something terrible. I can't track down Scirroco's in .264 up here in Canada so I'm going to give some 120 gr. Tripple Shocks a try. Sept 1st is the opening for mulies and I have plenty of other load developement to work on.

I would see no reason not to use the 6.5/280AI data.

Thanks

I loaded some 125 gr Partitions with the 6.5/280 Improved data off of Stevespages. 55 to 56.5 of IMR 4350 was a suggestion. I had a sticky bolt with a raised crator on the primer at 55 gr. on all three rounds. I fired one at 56 and the bolt was realy stiff and the primer was pretty beat.

I guess if I use the 6.5/280 Improved data I will work from a little lower.

I have shot over 3000 rd. from 6.5/06 and 6.5 Gibbs. I think 4350 is too fast for them. I have extensive data that you could use as a place to start. 120 to 140 gr. bullets. 26" barrel on /06 and 29" on Gibbs. Mark

Well depending on your COL LoadTech calculates 64500psi with a 3.44" and over 70,000 with a 3.34". with 55grs of IMR 4350. At the shorter COL 51 grs gives 63300.

H4350 gives 61900 with 55grs.

quote:

Originally posted by 35404:
I have shot over 3000 rd. from 6.5/06 and 6.5 Gibbs. I think 4350 is too fast for them. I have extensive data that you could use as a place to start. 120 to 140 gr. bullets. 26" barrel on /06 and 29" on Gibbs. Mark

IMR 4350 is the only powder listed for the 6.5/280 Improved on stevespages.

If you give me your COL, powder, bullet and barrel length and I'd be happy to run it loadtech and email you the results. I'd lean towards a slower powder. RL22-25, 4831.

PM sent.

Second PM sent with correction.

Thus far, I have reached a charge of 51.7gr in .3gr increments with RL22 and the 140gr a-max in a 26" 5 groove PacNor 1:8 tube. My reamer is a bit on the shorter throated side which puts the heel of the bullet at the base of the neck. This was also the point at which a harmonic node was showing great accuracy (.6xx" at 200yds, .3xxMOA!!!!) I think that 52.0 and possibly up to around 52.3gr will hold within this harmonic and produce some great accruacy. I beleive this was also right on the heels ofor at 3000fps as well.

H4831sc is eagerly devowered by both my 280AI and 6.5x55AI, so that should be another powder to test in your loading ventures.

Do you loads any of the lighter bullets for hunting? I see you pretty much list you 140 gr target loads.

I build my rigs for long shots,..so the lighter pills are always second on my load list. They will push smaller pills at blistering speeds with superb accuracy from what I have seen chambered by the same reamer. You have a caliber capable of easy 500yd harvests,..so load it for long range and take close up shots if they appear

Sorry I can't offer any lighter loads,..I surely would if I had run the load ladder on any of them. If/When I do,..the 120gr NBT will most certainly be one of the main components as it is a leathal game pill with an high BC for it's weight. The 123gr Lapua Scenar will also be a runner in the competition. I would think that anything lighter than that in the 6.5-06AI or 6.5/280AI will be moving too fast for up close shots. My .002"

Boilerroom:

I am using IMR4831 in my 6.5-06 with a 120 grain Sierra soft point. This is the only bullet I shoot in my 6.5-06. Vels are around 3200fps and groups are under.75". I tried RL22, and RL25 with Nosler Ballistic tips, but my rifle didn't like those combos as much as the Sierra and IMR4831. Heres the load I have been using 54/IMR4831/120 Sierra Soft point. Start a little lower and work up, as I have no idea how your particular rifle is throated. I have fired over 650 rounds thru this rifle the past 2 years screwing around with this and that, you know,LOL. An antelope a couple of coyotes and a few jack rabbits wish I haden't built this rig.


Jerry

Thanks a bunch!

Sounds like the starting loads I use in my 6.5 rem mag. Considering the 6.5 is just a hair larger than the 06 case I feel this would a good place to compare loads.