LA Conversion to smaller caliber

[Quandary]

Thinking about having a smaller caliber barrel spun up for one of my long actions. Looking at options it seems like a 25-06AI would be the easy button. Brass is easily formed from 25-06 brass. Redding makes dies. Good selection of bullets from varmint to bigger game. Am I missing something, Other options, long action only. This would be a BAT Vampire on an XLR Element 4.0 Magnesium.

 

[elkguide]

Sounds like a good combo. My last custom was a long action for a 6.5PRC.

 

[WeiserBucks]

6.5x284

 

[TaperPin]

Great cartridge. I wasn’t a 25 caliber fan at first, but an old outfitter friend with a 380 point elk on the wall and a dozen big 6x6 racks in the horse barn shot every one with 25 caliber. Then another friend I hunt with kills everything with a 25-06 and it’s gained a lot of my respect.

One of the most fun cartridges this year is a 6mm-06, with 28” #4 barrel. As much as the extra barrel length increases velocity, altogether it’s still not beating the 25-06 down range. I shoot the 6mm-06 more than my 25-06, but there’s no doubt the 25 caliber is a better hunting rifle.

 

[HandgunHTR]

What do you consider small?

The 6.5-06 is a great cartridge, but if you want smaller, a 6-06 shooting heavies would be fun too.

 

[Pilsner]

Sounds like a good combo. My last custom was a long action for a 6.5PRC

On Monday I am removing a 300 PRC barrel and spinning on a 6.5 PRC barrel to the same Christense Arms action. Hoping it feeds and works well.
I have done the same thing with a Howa action in 6.5-284 Norma and it was amazing in long action form.

 

[Quandary]

As I have a couple of 6.5PRCs and a 6.5 creed I was thinking small as anything below 6.5 in size. It will be a hunting rifle thinking I’d use it as an option for Mulies, Caribou and smaller. Figure with the 130 gr class of bullets from Hornady and Berger this could make for a fun rifle. I also just put a 35 Whelen barrel on a Tikka so would be a nice pair of a necked up 30-06 and a necked down 30-06.

 

[rclouse79]

I turned my 270 tikka into a 25-06 with an xlr element chassis, AB A10 suppressor and barrel from Xcaliber. I love it!

 

[112Savage]

Look at magazine length with 25-06 and heavy bullets. If it won’t work then I would look at 257AI with a tight twist

 

[Quandary]

I have room for 3.75 OAL so I think I am good there.

I also think that given I will likely do a 22" barrel I'd go AI. Although I wonder with the long column stack og the 06 cartridge would there be issues with getting 100% burn with a filled up case? Likely would try Varget, 4831SC and H1000.

 

[TaperPin]

I just thought of something. I about fell over at the price of 6mm-06ai dies when 280ai dies are so reasonable. I’ve since learned many folks are using 280 ai bushing dies with 6mm bushings and a 6mm seating stem. While not a perfect solution, saves a couple hundred dollars. It might be worth while to double check die prices, even if they are listed as an available option.

 

[Kaleb]

Maybe 280AI sizer with proper bushing and the Frankford arsenal universal seater? I have the seater and have used it a fair bit. I like it fine. It’s sorta like the rcbs match master or whatever they call it with a micrometer and window cut out to seat the bullet.