Daryl, the 8x54 and the 6.5x55 have the same base diameter and shoulder location and diameter. The neck is longer on the 8, but am guessing that necking up the 6.5 will lengthen it.

Duh' should have thought that way......Yes, opening a 6.5 die would be the smarter way to go. If I stay with the cheaper LEE die, I can swap out to there tapered 8mm expander.....Thanks for that.

If I need to, do you have a recommendation on annealing the die ???