Gunsmithing Has anyone done a 6.5x55 in an AXMC using the .308 bolt body & Lapua brass

[W54/XM-388]

I was wondering if anyone has done a 6.5x55 / 6.5x55 AI in one of the Accuracy International AXMC rifles (Long Action), using the .308 bolt body.
I'd specifically want to use Lapua Brass / Lapua loaded rounds.
I was thinking possibly either using the .300WM magazine, or just single feeding them.
For the barrel I was going to get one of the Schneider P5 barrels (if they can have a big enough breach end), and sending it to Bugholes to do a prefit.

Has anyone tried this and had good success?

An alternate Idea would be single feeding from one of the AX / AT actions possibly.

 

[samb300]

I don’t think the 0.480” dia case head will play nice with the .308 bolt face. IMO why not run a 6.5 SAUM using the 300WM bolt?

 

[W54/XM-388]

I already have a rifle in that & wanted to be able to use the same rounds.
I guess I'll need to check exactly what the case head size on the Lapua brass is, as it seems a bit smaller than other brands.

 

[MtnCreek]

I can’t speak to Lapua, but Norma requires a larger shell holder than standard .308 family.

 

[Rthur]

As addressed the bolt face will need opened up a tad.
Common on other actions as well.
Haven't heard of any problems as a result.

R

 

[W54/XM-388]

Would you think it would work to get another .308 bolt shroud for the AXMC and have it opened up just a bit then?

 

[Rthur]

Would you think it would work to get another .308 bolt shroud for the AXMC and have it opened up just a bit then?

I'd think so, not extremely versed with the AXMC.
Dave Tooley is the man to verify.

R

 

[W54/XM-388]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll try to get ahold of him and ask.
I was wanting to originally go with the 6.5x55 also because the longer case would let me load up some slower burning powders to get good velocity out of really long (28" to 32") barrels without having to have as much pressure, so as to get better barrel life.

I guess the other option would be to skip that all together and if I wanted something a bit more capacity friendly than the 6.5 CM / 6.5x47, go with something like the 6.5x284 which I think uses the standard .308 boltface, or something else based on the standard magnum boltface.

 

[Rthur]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll try to get ahold of him and ask.
I was wanting to originally go with the 6.5x55 also because the longer case would let me load up some slower burning powders to get good velocity out of really long (28" to 32") barrels without having to have as much pressure, so as to get better barrel life.

I guess the other option would be to skip that all together and if I wanted something a bit more capacity friendly than the 6.5 CM / 6.5x47, go with something like the 6.5x284 which I think uses the standard .308 boltface, or something else based on the standard magnum boltface.

What's the load port length on the AX/AT?

R

 

[W54/XM-388]

So I finally got some measuring done.

On Lapua Brass,
the .308 base is 0.471 inches
the 6.5x55 base is 0.479 inches
(give or take a bit as each time I measured with 2 different calipers, it changed a bit depending on how much pressure I was putting on it.)

The Sample 6.5x55 Lapua round was 3.066 inches long (Sample .308 round was 2.787 inches long)

Ejection port on a .308 AI AE MKII was 2.618 inches
Ejection port on a .338LM AI AX (2011) was 3.583 inches
Ejection port on a SA Templar action was 2.783 inches
Ejection port on a .308 AI AW (2005) was 2.619 inches
Ejection port on a .338 AI AWSM (2006) was 3.598 inches
Ejection port on a .308 RPR was 2.763 Inches

 

[Rthur]

So I finally got some measuring done.

On Lapua Brass,
the .308 base is 0.471 inches
the 6.5x55 base is 0.479 inches
(give or take a bit as each time I measured with 2 different calipers, it changed a bit depending on how much pressure I was putting on it.)

The Sample 6.5x55 Lapua round was 3.066 inches long (Sample .308 round was 2.787 inches long)

Ejection port on a .308 AI AE MKII was 2.618 inches
Ejection port on a .338LM AI AX (2011) was 3.583 inches
Ejection port on a SA Templar action was 2.783 inches
Ejection port on a .308 AI AW (2005) was 2.619 inches
Ejection port on a .338 AI AWSM (2006) was 3.598 inches
Ejection port on a .308 RPR was 2.763 Inches

If this was in reply to me I should have used better terminology.
Bottom/mag port on the short action versions.
AI mags with the plate removed can accommodate 2.940ish.
If you were still in the mood for a warmer 6.5 the 6.5 Addiction pushes 140's around 3050+ or -
All I've seen are accurate while fire forming.
A mag extension will be required for 10 round capacity.


R

 

[W54/XM-388]

If I understand correctly the 6.5 Addiction is based on 6.5x55 brass?
So I'd still possibly have to modify the bolt then?
The main advantage would seem to be that you can run it is a short actions.
So if the bolt was modified, for the AXMC, I could just run the standard 6.5x55
Or possibly not modify the bolt and just run 6.5-284

 

[Rthur]

If I understand correctly the 6.5 Addiction is based on 6.5x55 brass?
So I'd still possibly have to modify the bolt then?
The main advantage would seem to be that you can run it is a short actions.
So if the bolt was modified, for the AXMC, I could just run the standard 6.5x55
Or possibly not modify the bolt and just run 6.5-284

The problem with those choices is the COAL of the reamers/factory ammo.
The addicton was specifically spec'd to seat the bullet deeper to "fit" the S/A mags with desired performance.
Not saying that you couldn't seat deep on either of your choices, this will add to bullet jump to lands though.

R

 

[W54/XM-388]

I guess it kind of is a bit of a problem trying to do an in between cartridge on the AXMC, It has bolts & magazines for .338LM type, .300WM type and then .308 type so the ones not as long / big as the .300WM but bigger and longer than the .308 are a bit hard to work in.

 

[TorF]

If you want to shoot 6.5x55 in a AXMC the solution to the mag problem is to make a custom magwell converter for hicap 8x57 magazines. If you make one for the excellent MG13 mag you can shoot 25 rounds between mag changes Grunig&Elmiger make new 10 round 6.5x55 and 7.5x55 mags for their CISM matchrifles. The 7.5x55 mag is a perfect fit for 284win.

 

[fdkay]

I was wondering if anyone has done a 6.5x55 / 6.5x55 AI in one of the Accuracy International AXMC rifles (Long Action), using the .308 bolt body.
I'd specifically want to use Lapua Brass / Lapua loaded rounds.
I was thinking possibly either using the .300WM magazine, or just single feeding them.
For the barrel I was going to get one of the Schneider P5 barrels (if they can have a big enough breach end), and sending it to Bugholes to do a prefit.

Has anyone tried this and had good success?

An alternate Idea would be single feeding from one of the AX / AT actions possibly.

If you're using a long action, can't you use the PMAG AICS long action for the 30'06 family? (or is the AX a double column?)

 

[W54/XM-388]

The AX / AW (short action) / AXMC all use the double stack magazines

 

[Movistar]

I am looking at this same thing. There’s no way the AI 308 bolt face won’t fit Lapua 6.5x55 brass. Even some 700s fit. And you should be able to feed this from the 300wm mag with minor modification to the feed lips.

 

[SLG]

Unfortunately, I have no practical experience with the 6.5X55, except in a few old mil surp rifles. I do think it is an awesome cartridge for a LA. I thought it was a standard long action, meaning same family as 30-06. If so, it should fit a 308 boltface. If not, then i guess not. So, is it or is it not a standard size case?

 

[Movistar]

It’s like 8 thousandths bigger case than a standard 308. I think it’s .479 and 308 is .471 or .473. PTG 308 bolts are .480 so they work great.

 

[SLG]

It’s like 8 thousandths bigger case than a standard 308. I think it’s .479 and 308 is .471 or .473. PTG 308 bolts are .480 so they work great.

Ok, thanks very much. So part of the issue is the exact specs of a manufacturer's bolt.

 

[Movistar]

Exactly. But AI being from that side of the pond I would be shocked if their 308 bolt wasn’t big enough for 6.5x55 Swede. I plan to do this exact set up when the cash allows haha.

Now if it’s too small you just have to open up the bolt face 8 thou and just about any smith knows how to do this. But I’d wager that AIs bolts will fit.

PTG fits
Stiller fits
Remington doesn’t

 

[jetmd]

I would give Adam Rehor a call @ 303.255.9999

https://www.milehighshooting.com/gunsmithing/

Adam knows the AI's and can help you. Give him a call.

 

[MarinePMI]

Just use American made 6.5x55mm brass. IIRC, SAAMI spec brass is made to fit US bolt faces. European brass (CIP spec) has a larger rim diameter. Worst case, chuck the brass in a drill press, and run a file against the rim while it's spinning.

I think everyone glosses over the fact that AI bolts are made for .308 (and the associated dimensions), and not for anything else. The use of 6.5CM and other cases is a mere coincidence that they fit, not part of the initial design.

 

[Easy_E]

I've been trying to figure this out on some boards they mention the rim not fitting and some say they used the 308 bolt face with no mods.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I was going to try a 6.5-284 which has a slightly wider body and the rounds wouldn’t work in the 300WM mag with any amount of tweaking. Even if you could get it to where you think it works I bet they’ll still hiccup. My concensus is that standard long action rounds are a no go in an AXMC with the available mags. Stick to short standard, short magnum, or any long magnums.

6.5 PRC is where I’d be going for more HP than Creedmoor or 260. A couple people have done them now and claim they work great. I’m considering it.

 

[Smithcollector]

I just tried it with Lapua 6.5x55 brass and a 308 axmc bolt, it won't fit although it doesn't seem like it would take much to relieve it, I would think the bolt body would be ruined for the 308 family

 

[Movistar]

What about 6.5-06?? Thanks for the last two posts about the mag and the brass. Takes the wind out of my sails but I’ll keep at it