Thread: I think I know what my next project might be.

Accidentally acquired some 6.5x55AI stuff:

-PTG reamer with bushes
-PTG Go head space gauge
-Hornady hydraulic case forming die
-Redding S type full length die with lots of bushes
-Wilson seating die with micrometer top
-Wilson neck sizing die

I have a T3 6.5x55, but in a short (18") barrel, might be wasted on it, might have to acquire another T3 with an uncut barrel, or grab the 30" Lilja barrel available to me, anybody real familiar with 6.5AI and what it's good for feel free to weigh in.

That's quite a fortunate accident you had there

I know I would have one real quick if I had your luck.

Seriously considered one before I went .260 AI.
Not sure there is much between them.
Pretty sure a few members have or have had one.
Master Toby had one.
Sidney had one iirc?

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Best you start with a new barrel and not try to chew out a T3 donor. Most smiths will tell you unless you are reaming a decent amount it won't make a clean cut, this is due to the quality and hardness of the Sako / Tikka barrel steel. Awesome acquirement

Still have one sitting at the back of my safe. F Class with 32" barrel so a different apple to the average sporters. Mine is the Bob Jourdan (mmm spelling) version.
It is the equal or maybe fraction better than a 6.5/284. Supposedly better barrel life plus slightly less powder used for equal velocity.
I helped Toby out when he was load developing his.

Curious to know where you scored the bits? Can think of one guy down there that was a died in the wool 6.5x55AI user and then he "coverted" to 284W. Saw the light ha ha.

Originally Posted by zimmer

Still have one sitting at the back of my safe. F Class with 32" barrel so a different apple to the average sporters. Mine is the Bob Jourdan (mmm spelling) version.
It is the equal or maybe fraction better than a 6.5/284. Supposedly better barrel life plus slightly less powder used for equal velocity.
I helped Toby out when he was load developing his.

Curious to know where you scored the bits? Can think of one guy down there that was a died in the wool 6.5x55AI user and then he "coverted" to 284W. Saw the light ha ha.

Yep, it was Joey.

I quite like the idea of a trued Rem700 donor long action, Senator stock, 24" barrel, 130 Bergers, seems reasonable to expect 3000 fps with the right powder, .270 130gn performance to any range with 20% less powder, less recoil, less drift, comments invited.......

there is something nice about the 6.5
Im too heavily invested in the 6mm and 7mm to get carried away
Id look further than a tikka if rebarreling the cost of the process equals the cost of a new t3
go sako

Originally Posted by Bill999

there is something nice about the 6.5
Im too heavily invested in the 6mm and 7mm to get carried away
Id look further than a tikka if rebarreling the cost of the process equals the cost of a new t3
go sako

Sounds like you don't have a smith that looks after you. I'd change that pronto.

Originally Posted by 257weatherby

I quite like the idea of a trued Rem700 donor long action, Senator stock, 24" barrel, 130 Bergers, seems reasonable to expect 3000 fps with the right powder, .270 130gn performance to any range with 20% less powder, less recoil, less drift, comments invited.......

i have a 6.5AI and i am using 51grn of N560, averaging 3015fps out of a 22 and 3/4 inch barrel, 140 A-Max.
Stug stock, swarovski Z5 3x18, good for 500+yards

I got my AI test dummy yesterday, a T3 with original length barrel and B&C stock, nice green one, pinched the rail, rings and scope off my short T3, bore sighted it at home, grabbed some loads already good to go from the other T3 Swede, I always full length size so not expecting dramas from one T3 6.5x55 to another.....mmmmmm, have to force the bolt closed over the round, bugger!. All my unloaded brass was already prepped and primed so take the decapping pin out of my sizing die and put the expander back, take an extra half turn on the die and eureka! cases cycle smooth as, 40thou jump so all good to go.

Down to the range (pretending to be at work) my bore sighting is generally pretty good so straight to the 110yd we go: shots 3 and 4 were on the 3" box, 2 clicks left and shooting groups on my preferred poi.

Using up my 140 Amax supply to do basic load development just to see if this rifle is a keeper, had two coal's with 40thou difference, no one told the rifle, same poi and speed! Typical T3, it is not going to be fussy, no actuall development and it shoots 3/4" at 110, happy with that.

Used Lapua and Hornady cases, the Hornady cased loads gave 2750fps average, the Lapua cased loads gave 2800fps average, in my other rifle the 140 Berger runs 50fps faster than the Amax, with luck, the Lapua case, the Berger and an extra grain of powder, I might get this thing to 2900, pretty good for a standard 6.5x55, people are using 2209, N560 ect, but I am in the opposite direction: IMR7828 or RE22,
I load for two other T3 Swedes and cannot get more velocity from 2209 than 7828 without getting pressure enough to start smacking the cases about, would like to try the Vh powders, but buying a whole can of it just to test, nah, might be no advantage.

Might use it as is for the moment, if I need the extra speed, might just have to reach for the .264 Win Mag I am in the middle of building on a Rem 700, was gonna be a 6.5-06, but not enough difference from the Toyota Corolla Swede, the 6.5-06, the 6.5x55AI and the 6.5-284 are Toyota Corollas with an exhaust and racing stripes, the .264Wm is an actual hot rod!

So yeah?