260ai loaders

[BATattack]

hi guys!

always wanted a hot 6.5 for game that I can run in a short action but my smith doesn't have a 260ai reamer but has a 6.5slr reamer.

can anyone tell me what the water capacity is to the top of the neck so I can compare it to the 6.5slr please?

Also any information first hand experience with forming brass or loading would be really appreciated.

I'll probably only be using bullets around the 100gr mark so my throat length is going to be a bit different and to make them.fit mag length as well.

[Tim N]

Will a 6.5 -284 do the job?
No fire forming

[Brad Y]

Adam- I had whitleys 260 improved 30 degree wildcat in that barrel blocked rifle I used to run. A whisker more capacity than the 6.5SLR but still a bit less than a full 260AI. 43.2gr 2209 140VLD jammed was my load I used in Tassie last year. 2860fps and was very mild. I could have run 2930 or so but chose to stay in the lower node as it was really accurate. If your only hunting with it why not just use a 260 rem? Be good fun with 95vmax. Saves losing fireformed and maticulously prepped brass.

[BATattack]

Will a 6.5 -284 do the job?
No fire forming

yeah performance wise but I'm not sure if they might be too fat for the AI mag that I've got. they are also pretty long so bullets will need to be seated really deep. . . . might have a play when I get home coz I've got some brass and dies to confirm one way or another.

[BRETT B]

In my 260AI it has 58 gns water capacity to top of the neck!!

[BATattack]

Thanks for your help guys!

Brett what sort of load do you use and velocity do you get?

[BRETT B]

I have only ever used 140 or 136 gn bullets and have never used it for hunting . Different powders produce different results with regards to pressure but below is some loads I have used. I have found that this case prefers slower powders with R19 and N165 being the best accuracy wise. R19 was the easiest to tune in 3 of my target Barrels . 2213 was also accurate but VERY hard on Barrel wear. 2209 was ok but gave me very small accuracy nodes and speed was generally down compared to slower powders. There is also a lot of air space with 2209. I run Palma Brass most of the time but have used lapua 260 brass as well. Both work well but palma brass primer pockets will last 5 times longer than large rifle brass. For Hunting loads and 100 gn bullets 2209 would probably work well. I would probably run off the shelf brass for hunting and get your gunsmith to set the headspace for 2-3 thou crush on factory ammo so fireforming is easy. If you reload you dont really lose any velocity over the parent case so you can hunt using fireforms.

44 gns 2209 140 berger 2960fps
48.2 gns 2213 140 berger 2990 fps
46.4 R19 140 Berger 2940 fps
47.2 R19 140 Berger 3020 fps
46.8 N160 140 Berger 2970 fps
48.6 N165 140 Berger 3010 fps

[BATattack]

Thanks Brett that's good info! it seems very efficient.

I just tried seating some 130gr bergers (that's the lightest I had) into 6.5x284 cases and when seated to mag length the base of the bullet was about 8.5mm BELOW the neck/ shoulder junction!! basically the doughnut would be in the middle of the bearing surface! haha

I haven't got anything lighter to try but I'm beginning to see why they 6.5x284 didn't gain much ground as a short action caliber!

[Brad Y]

Adam- a friend has a 6.5x284 varmint reamer with ZERO freebore. Using 95 vmax he can load them in the mag fine but he is using a tikka action which Im pretty sure is long anyway.

[BATattack]

Yeah you might get away with it with a 95gr and zero fb. I think with the tikka you can change the bolt stop and mag and you've effective got a long action. I'm hoping to use it on fallow etc so I'm probably going to have to find a pill and have a mess around and might need something a bit tougher than a v max.

[BRETT B]

FWIW , a 6.5x55 may be the ticket!! Has same capacity as 260AI and brass and dies are easy to get!!

[MaxBC]

If it's a hunting gun 2209 is the ticket for barrel length,if you are bothered forming 22-250 lapua brass the creedmoor is my pick,I've had mine to 2900+ fps with 140 vld's with no serious pressure but it would wreck the Hornady brass.

[BATattack]

Too many good choices!

I was even thinking today maybe I should do a 6.5x47 as I've got about 4 sets of dies and a fair bit of odd brass laying around from my match barrels. not really a hot 6.5 but what it lacks in capacity the case handles in pressure.

[MaxBC]

Too many good choices!

I was even thinking today maybe I should do a 6.5x47 as I've got about 4 sets of dies and a fair bit of odd brass laying around from my match barrels. not really a hot 6.5 but what it lacks in capacity the case handles in pressure.

Yep another great round,that just works!
I built a 6mm284 as my screamer,with the 6mm projectile being shorter it works well in a short action.
105amax v 140 vld

[williada]

Maxbc I have had a Shehane 6mm/284 reamer in the cupboard for many years and it was the original reason for obtaining the hBN mentioned on Tim's thread, because people have said its a barrel burner - 700 or 800 rounds and you're done. The other thing I discovered, hBN does not like stainless because both materials are positively charged unlike chrome Moly barrels which are negatively charged so the two materials attract. Although EEZOX is said to help the problem. So in the end I went for a 6, 6.5 x47 Ackley improved just for a fun gun and have used it a few times in FO. So I figure burning steel is not really a problem, and shooting a laser appeals. I can see why you like that 6/284.

I would be interested to read other accounts of hot 6mm's irrespective of range limits as I have a dual purpose, I like popping foxes at long range from my veranda when they are picking over bait I've laid. I can't sneak over the gullies too easily these days.