6-06 headspace

Luke45 · 08-10-2014, 12:10 PM

Can I headspace a 6-06 barrel with a traditional 280 ackly die and a .004 shim or am I crazy?

**35Whelenshooter** · 08-10-2014, 12:15 PM

I have a 6-06. No I would not do that. Do yoni have 6-06 reloading dies?
Let's say you do, if you have new brass 25-06 would work nicely. Run it through your 6-06 die with your die set to the bottom of your shell holder, with, just a little cam over. Take your new sized 6-06 brass double check for length.
Now you should be able to take your new case, and use it for your headspace gauge. It you have shim stock available, .002-.003 will work just fine. Use your new case gage for go place the shim stock in the bolt your headspace is set.

Luke45 · 08-10-2014, 12:23 PM

No I don't have 6-06 dies, I'm necking 30-06 down in stages and the last die I have is a 243 win to finish the neck diameter, it may be a slight "fire form" but it's ok I'm a neck sizing guy.

A ackley gauge is just .004" short of the parent cartridge correct? Wouldn't 280 and 6mm-06 have the same headspace?

**Hotolds442** · 08-10-2014, 12:52 PM

An Ackley may be within .004, but the case taper is mostly removed and will not fit in your 6mm/06 chamber. The 6/06 should measure .440 at the case/shoulder while the 280 Ackley measures .455

Luke45 · 08-10-2014, 01:04 PM

Thanks wheelen shooter! And hotolds , I completely understand what your saying, makes sense forgot about the taper

My necked down rounds are .440 at shoulder maybe I'll just headspace off of them. I will probly never own a pair of 6-06 dies, I'll bump the shoulder back with 25-06 fl sizer when they get tight and just necksiZe with 243 collet

Luke45 · 08-10-2014, 01:06 PM

Or if I was being responsible I could just buy an -06 headspace gauge for 20$ LOL

I can't believe it but from what hot holds said I just realized that 280 doesn't headspace the same as a 25-06, 270 or 30-06. I always assumed they headspaced the same, but never thought about it because I only own the ackley verson of the 280