6.5-06 AI anyone?

So I have this right handed long action sitting here with a left handed thumbhole stock from Boyds needing a "purpose". I guess Boyd's won't make these anymore, so I don't want to sell it, though I really don't need it.

I am considering building a 6.5-06AI for long range deer hunting (even though I NEVER get out west and normally hunt heavy cover). Oh, well, that's just another issue for me to discuss with my psychiatrist/therapist if I ever find one worth talking to.

I really like 6.5 bullets and already have a couple 260 AI's and a 260. Don't see much point in doing another version of the short action alternatives to these, just because I think they are pretty much all the same. Don't argue with me. :) Don't want this to be another thread debating the virtues of the them. I want to know more about the '06.

I also already have a 25-06 that shoots like a dream.

Does anyone here have experience with this cartridge and if so, what do you think?

The 6.5 -06 AI is not just an Ackley Improved....it's a true wildcat, meaning headspacing will be different than a standard AI. Your best bet is to headspace according to the full length die.
With that said, it probably won't do anything that a 6.5 x 55 won't do. (had to get that in there...):p

So, since I do not need another 30-06 or 25-06 or long action .260, and I don't want a .270...

...what should I do with this long action and the thumbhole stock?????

Thumper

You could build a 338-06.

280, better yet 280ai. Then sell the 06 and 25/06.

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Originally Posted by psharon97

You could build a 338-06.

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Too big!!!

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Originally Posted by yobuck

280, better yet 280ai. Then sell the 06 and 25/06.

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hmmm...

I have a 6.5-06AI and love it. Built on a Winchester model 70 action with a 26" E.R. Shaw barrel it runs the 140 bergers at 3180 with 59.0gr of H4831. Dies and headspace gauges are available and brass is easily made from 270 cases. It does a touch more than any swede I have ever ran and it looks cool as hell.
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...psydwgfodd.jpg

That is a very nice gun, other than its built backwards. Everything should be opposite.
And, the 6.5x06ai would be my choice also assuming i wanted a 6.5.
But if i already had 2 pretty good ones, id be looking for something else that works well with
a good range of bullets. The 280ai does that and is very close to 7 rem mag performance with an 06 case.

Build a good 'ol fashioned 284 Winchester. I built a 284 bench gun on a long action and ****ed if it isn't my favorite bolt gun now.

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek088.html

I'm going to throw this out.

I'm looking into a long action build, myself. I'm thinking 7x57, maybe 6.5x57 if I can find a barrel manufacturer that actually has a reamer for it. Nice light recoil, has enough to bring it home when loaded right!! 6.5-06 was on my radar 'till I looked into brass for it. For the non-AI version, Midway USA had it, for super high prices! (Too high for me anyway!) Yea I could form the brass, but I like the head stamp to be correct. (OCD on my part!) I understand your dilemma! If you are not looking at elk size game, 25-06 is a deer killing machine! WE shoot 25-06 and it kills deer like they were stuck by Thor’s hammer, if you place the right bullet, in the right place, even way out there! :)

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Originally Posted by noisewaterphd

Build a good 'ol fashioned 284 Winchester. I built a 284 bench gun on a long action and ****ed if it isn't my favorite bolt gun now.

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek088.html

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Drool! Not for a hunting rifle, but on the bench,,,,,, Drool!@ :)

280 Ackley, will make more energy with all that capacity than a 6.5. Use a 1-7 twist barrel and the new Berger 195 gr hunting HP... **** flat to 400.

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it looks cool as hell

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And then some! Beautiful rifle. :tea: