6.5-06 Making Brass

shooter_john · May 21, 2007, 10:38 PM

I am in the process of building a semi custom bolt action. I plan to shoot paper, varmints (coyote), and probably whitetails when all is said and done, and I want something different for the chambering. I stumbled across the 6.5-06 in an old Sierra manual, and I really like the looks of it. I had been leaning towards .260 Rem, but this 06 has me more intrigued and it gets a lot more velocity than the 260 to boot. My question is, can't I just run 25-06 or 30-06 into the 6.5-06 dies and be set for brass? If that is indeed the case, I think I have made up my mind! Thanks for any help.

Dave R · May 21, 2007, 10:50 PM

I do not know for sure, but my guess is that you _can_ just run '06 brass through the 6.5/06 resizing die. You're might need to through a 7mm/06 sizer first, just to make it in 2 steps. And you might need to turn the necks. Necks tend to get thick when sized down. But that all would be worst case.

WCW · May 21, 2007, 11:21 PM

I would go with .270 brass. There is a lot less reduction in neck diameter that way, and the slightly longer case will give you the ability to have a very uniform trim length.

Crosshair · May 21, 2007, 11:43 PM

For powder, look into the cheap H870 type power that can be bought surplus. The case capacity of the 6.5-06 will allow this powder to reach its potential.

Shoney · May 22, 2007, 12:22 AM

May I suggest that you have your barrel maker also make a sizing die from a blank from yhe company of your choice. That way you have a die and barrel chambered with the same reamer.

T. O'Heir · May 22, 2007, 12:27 AM

"...and be set for brass..." You'll have to trim to length, ream the inside of the case neck and the outside, then chamfer and deburr if you use .30-06 brass.
The .25-06 or .270 will do nicely. The .25-06 gets necked up, the .270 gets necked down. Use the .25-06. One pass into the 6.5-06 sizer die and you're done. The .270 will need trimming to length.
Get a copy of Cartridge Conversions too.
This'll be of some use as well. http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/P...Page%20232.pdf
There's lots of load data on Reloader's Nest as well.
http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=37

hodaka · May 22, 2007, 05:41 AM

I've been shooting a 6.5-06 for the past few years. I use mostly .270 brass since I don't have a .270 and do have other 30-06's and a 25-06 and it helps to keep the brass separated. You do need to trim a lot off of the necks them and I've been using a Lee 25-06 trimmer after squeezing the necks in the die. If I didn't have a 25-06 I would use that brass since it minimizes the trimming and the .257 is close to .264. My most accurate rounds are 120gr SMK's with IMR 4350 with CCI mag primers. The 6.5-06 is much like a .270 or 25-06 with a lot more bullets to choose from. I think you'll like it. I have tried the surplus slow powder (WC860?) and it is accurate but the velocities are much lower than the 4350.

shooter_john · May 22, 2007, 09:04 AM

I think I've finally made my mind! I have lots of .270 brass around, but I only load .270 for my Dad, and he still hasn't shot up the batch I loaded him 2 years ago, so I should be set for brass.

Trapper L · May 22, 2007, 11:41 AM

I've had this 6.5x 06 for about 20 years. It's built on an 03A3 action with a Shaw heavy sporter weight barrel 23.5" with a 1:8.75 twist. The throat has been set for the 120 gr bullets, primarily Speer configuration. It also has a Dayton trigger and will shoot the eye out of a coyote at 400 yds if you are capable. I use military brass 3006 run thru the 6.5x06 sizing die and load 'em up. No neck turning or any other mess, just size, trim to length, and go. It shoots IMR4350 powder the best. I imagine any powder around that burn rate would do though.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL122.../254441809.jpg

May 21, 2007, 10:38 PM	#1
shooter_john Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2002 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 1,472	6.5-06 Making Brass I am in the process of building a semi custom bolt action. I plan to shoot paper, varmints (coyote), and probably whitetails when all is said and done, and I want something different for the chambering. I stumbled across the 6.5-06 in an old Sierra manual, and I really like the looks of it. I had been leaning towards .260 Rem, but this 06 has me more intrigued and it gets a lot more velocity than the 260 to boot. My question is, can't I just run 25-06 or 30-06 into the 6.5-06 dies and be set for brass? If that is indeed the case, I think I have made up my mind! Thanks for any help. __________________ TROTAC.com

May 21, 2007, 10:50 PM	#2
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	I do not know for sure, but my guess is that you _can_ just run '06 brass through the 6.5/06 resizing die. You're might need to through a 7mm/06 sizer first, just to make it in 2 steps. And you might need to turn the necks. Necks tend to get thick when sized down. But that all would be worst case. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

May 21, 2007, 11:43 PM	#4
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	For powder, look into the cheap H870 type power that can be bought surplus. The case capacity of the 6.5-06 will allow this powder to reach its potential. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

May 22, 2007, 12:22 AM	#5
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	May I suggest that you have your barrel maker also make a sizing die from a blank from yhe company of your choice. That way you have a die and barrel chambered with the same reamer. __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

May 22, 2007, 09:04 AM	#8
shooter_john Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2002 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 1,472	Thanks everyone... I think I've finally made my mind! I have lots of .270 brass around, but I only load .270 for my Dad, and he still hasn't shot up the batch I loaded him 2 years ago, so I should be set for brass. __________________ TROTAC.com

May 21, 2007, 11:21 PM	#3
WCW Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2007 Posts: 132	I would go with .270 brass. There is a lot less reduction in neck diameter that way, and the slightly longer case will give you the ability to have a very uniform trim length.

May 22, 2007, 12:27 AM	#6
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...and be set for brass..." You'll have to trim to length, ream the inside of the case neck and the outside, then chamfer and deburr if you use .30-06 brass. The .25-06 or .270 will do nicely. The .25-06 gets necked up, the .270 gets necked down. Use the .25-06. One pass into the 6.5-06 sizer die and you're done. The .270 will need trimming to length. Get a copy of Cartridge Conversions too. This'll be of some use as well. http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/P...Page%20232.pdf There's lots of load data on Reloader's Nest as well. http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=37

May 22, 2007, 05:41 AM	#7
hodaka Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,010	I've been shooting a 6.5-06 for the past few years. I use mostly .270 brass since I don't have a .270 and do have other 30-06's and a 25-06 and it helps to keep the brass separated. You do need to trim a lot off of the necks them and I've been using a Lee 25-06 trimmer after squeezing the necks in the die. If I didn't have a 25-06 I would use that brass since it minimizes the trimming and the .257 is close to .264. My most accurate rounds are 120gr SMK's with IMR 4350 with CCI mag primers. The 6.5-06 is much like a .270 or 25-06 with a lot more bullets to choose from. I think you'll like it. I have tried the surplus slow powder (WC860?) and it is accurate but the velocities are much lower than the 4350.

May 22, 2007, 11:41 AM	#9
Trapper L Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 804	I've had this 6.5x 06 for about 20 years. It's built on an 03A3 action with a Shaw heavy sporter weight barrel 23.5" with a 1:8.75 twist. The throat has been set for the 120 gr bullets, primarily Speer configuration. It also has a Dayton trigger and will shoot the eye out of a coyote at 400 yds if you are capable. I use military brass 3006 run thru the 6.5x06 sizing die and load 'em up. No neck turning or any other mess, just size, trim to length, and go. It shoots IMR4350 powder the best. I imagine any powder around that burn rate would do though. http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL122.../254441809.jpg