6.5 280 ackley

U

usmc 89

Guest
i am having a 6.5 280 ackley being built, would like some load info if anyone has one or has any information. will be using a 1in 8 krieger and shooting 140 berger or match kings. this is built on a lawton 7000 series action. thanks for any input.
 
It is not a good thing to take internet loads as reliable safe loads.

P.O. Ackley's book has data... 6.5 x 280 Improved (RCBS) (30 degree)
 
Many loading manuals have data for the 6.5-06. That would be a good starting point in working up to the 6.5-280 Ackley.

Ray
 
Dennis Sorensen said:
It is not a good thing to take internet loads as reliable safe loads.

P.O. Ackley's book has data... 6.5 x 280 Improved (RCBS) (30 degree)
Click to expand...

ok thanks for the reference dennis. and i understand your keeping saftey in mind with the former statement.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The loading data in ACKLEY two volume set is considered to be unsafe for use. I have no idea why this is not reported any longer as it was for many years.

I have the two volume set and the covers are nearly worn off and falling apart from use. I bought them new in 1975 and need to buy a new set.

Great information that can not be found anywhere else. For this reason I highly recommend that shooters own and read them. For loading information, some of it is down right dangerous. I remember finding out the hard way with one of his loads for a 6.5mm wildcat.

If it was my rifle, I would call HUNINGTON's and ask if they have loading data.
 
Big Al said:
The loading data in ACKLEY two volume set is considered to be unsafe for use. I have no idea why this is not reported any longer as it was for many years.
Click to expand...

Right on Al!

The powders have changed in the many years since P. O. Ackley wrote his books. Some of the loads were sent in by others and some of Ackley's loads are just too hot to handle. While P. O. Ackley might have known what he was doing in 1950, he didn't know what you might be doing in 2009 with slightly different powders with the same numbers.

My advice to someone who is about to start shooting any unknown "improved" or "wildcat" cartridge is to start low and work up in small amounts to a reasonable maximum and then back off a grain or two.

Concho Bill
 
thanks for the input. does anybody have any actual experience info on the 6.5 280 ackley. what i am trying to get at is has anybody done one of these within the last five years. i understand your pleas of saftey and i can assure you i dont have corks on my forks.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
usmc 89 said:
thanks for the input. does anybody have any actual experience info on the 6.5 280 ackley. what i am trying to get at is has anybody done one of these within the last five years. i understand your pleas of saftey and i can assure you i dont have corks on my forks.
Click to expand...

35 years ago I started making the 6mm 280 Improved, the 6.5 280 Improved. and the 280 Improved, all with the 30 degree shoulder, the RCBS version. I made lots of them... IMR4350 was the powder most used then.

At that time I used the loading data in the Ackley book to work a load up for the 6.5 280 Imp. I don't recall the loads being unsafe. As with any load you don't start with the highest listed load. I think Ackley may have even stated that. I don't have his books any longer.

Starting loads listed in any book for the 6.5 - 06 would be perfectly safe I am sure.

The last one I made was about 7 years ago. The fellow never has any load problems with IMR4350.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
suggestions

i know darrell holland lists this caliber as 1 he chambers.
also steve timm and chub eastman went to canada hunting whitetail deer. timm used the 280AI and eastman used the 6.5-280AI. i cant recall if the article listed loads but i think it listed powder type and bullets used. now if i could recall if it was wolfe publishing hunting mag or pedersons hunting. but one could google it. all these are possible resources for load data. as stated before the internet is a lousy place for load data.
the main idea is if you see a listed load start 10% below the max and work up to a really accurate load that YOUR gun likes. monotoring for pressure signs. remember dont just stop at the first sign of pressure. when a sign developes go back to the one that had no signs of too much pressure!!! Fred
 
thank you that was helpful will let you know how well it shoots when it is done. randy melvin is building it so i am sure it will be beyond my expectations.
 
Darrel built rifles for Steve Timm, for himself, a couple of guys who work for Leupold and two who worked for Nosler, Smith and Chub.

RL 25 was the powder of choice.
 
280 AI Magic

Most of you are right on the subject of the Ackley Improved's performance. There is no cartridge magic. The AI versions outperform the regular cartridges because of two things...increased powder capacity...and increased pressure. The AI is embarrasing if you don't increase it to a higher pressure than the regular version. The 40º shoulder helps control bolt thrust better than the 17º shoulder so you do not notice the increased pressure as much.
As for the 280 AI shooting faster than the 7mm Remington Magnum while using less powder???? Lets face it boys...the only way you can increase velocity while using less powder is by increasing the pressure. As somebody already stated...there is no cartridge magic.
 
Tennessee Wildcatter

Most of you are right on the subject of the Ackley Improved's performance. There is no cartridge magic. The AI versions outperform the regular cartridges because of two things...increased powder capacity...and increased pressure. The AI is embarrasing if you don't increase it to a higher pressure than the regular version. The 40º shoulder helps control bolt thrust better than the 17º shoulder so you do not notice the increased pressure as much.
As for the 280 AI shooting faster than the 7mm Remington Magnum while using less powder???? Lets face it boys...the only way you can increase velocity while using less powder is by increasing the pressure. As somebody already stated...there is no cartridge magic.
 
6.5-280 ai

I don't own a 6.5-280AI, but I do have three 6.5-06's, a 6.5-06 RCBS 30º, and a 6.5-284. I love them all and they all perform great once you get them perfected. The regular 17º shoulder version is probably my favorite. It is REALLY hard to get the AI to outperform the regular version and impossible to get the 6.5-284 to best the old '06 version.

As much as I love these 6.5 wildcats, I was recently humbled when I had a chronograph session with them and an old Sako 264 Win Mag I own.

Boys....I love wildcats, but the old 264 makes them all look like they are backing up. It beats tham all hands-down. How and why does it do it? By using more powder.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Sorry to drudge up such an old thread but I recently purchased another Howa 1500 LA and this 6.5-280AI has really sparked my interest. Especially with the use of RL17. The thought of a 140ish 6.5 pill cruising along at 3300ish fps sounds like really good dear medicine.

Anyone have anymore information on this 6.5-280AI or at least a point in the right direction????

Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top