Somewhere in the archives...

[Jim]

...is a thread on converting .30-06 brass to 6.5 X 55. How can I find it?

[jhrosier]

this should do it:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=converting+.30-06+brass+to+6.5+X+55+site%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fcastbooli ts.gunloads.com&btnG=Search&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

Jack

[44man]

I did it long ago and if I remember I had to use .250 dies first. I started with new brass and after forming I annealed the necks.
I shot them a few times, then found factory brass so the formed cases sat a few years. When I opened the box I found most of the necks had split. I still have not figured out why. They were turned, reamed and annealed but just sitting in the box, they cracked.

[The Double D]

I had .219 Donaldson Wasp cases do that to me also. I was told that I had not annealed the cases properly and was told to get tempilac. I did and haven't had aproblem since.

[Bret4207]

I have to ask- Why? The base area will be slightly undersized, IME they don;t last real well, maybe with light loads, but even then concentric loading and run out become an issue.

[jhrosier]

I formed 6.5 Swede from 30-06 back in the day when the Swede brass was hard to come by and expensive.
The actual case head size of commercial US .65x55 brass and 30-06 is about identical.
The brass lasted several years and was handloaded for three or four different rifles with no issues.
If I had to do it again, I would try to start with 7x57 brass instead of '06.
The last time I checked, Privi factory ammo was a cheap source of 6.5 brass at $13 per box. I don't know what today's prices may be.

Jack

[mooman76]

I made some. First attempts didn't work because I had no inbetween dies to use and to go there straight from .06 to 6.5. I later got a 7mm mauser so I tried it again. By then it was just to see if I could do it because I already aquired some 6.5 brass. It worked this time but I can't say whether I actually loaded and fired them or not. It's been awhile.

[NSP64]

I have 20 or so 6.5x55 once fired range pick up I'll send to some one if they want to pay postage.

[44man]

I have to ask- Why? The base area will be slightly undersized, IME they don;t last real well, maybe with light loads, but even then concentric loading and run out become an issue.
6.5 brass was almost impossible to find for a long time. Only Norma made it and nobody had any.
Yes the base was a little smaller but they still were accurate, giving me 1/2" groups.

[Johnch]

Graff has at least 3 brands listed right now

For me at least
Case forming is a true PITA
So I am more than willing to spend a little extra to get quality brass that I don't have to mess with

John

[Bret4207]

I formed 6.5 Swede from 30-06 back in the day when the Swede brass was hard to come by and expensive.
The actual case head size of commercial US .65x55 brass and 30-06 is about identical.
The brass lasted several years and was handloaded for three or four different rifles with no issues.
If I had to do it again, I would try to start with 7x57 brass instead of '06.
The last time I checked, Privi factory ammo was a cheap source of 6.5 brass at $13 per box. I don't know what today's prices may be.

Jack

Jack, you're luckier than me. I had 20 Norma cases and 60 R-P '06 reformed cases. I'd lose 2-3 R-P's every loading. Bulges in the base area would lead to a crack after the first 3 loadings. I will admit in those days I was using a Lee Loader and that might have had something to do with it as I'm sure I never was too gentle with the hammer. Plus those were the days I was convinced I could get 3K fps with 140's. It ain't gonna happen.

Come to think on it I still have a few of those cases. I'll have to see if I can find them. The "bulge" is obvious on all of them. This was a '98 Mauser with an aftermarket barrel BTW, not a '96 Swede.