6.5-06 vs 6.5-270
- Thread starter mattri
- Start date
In the `80s had a 6.5-06 built on a M70 action and McGowen barrel. McGowen recommended and throated for the longer .270 case because there was less brass thickening when necking down.
When the .25-06 became commercially available, I prefered to neck up .007 with new .25-06 brass rather than neck down .013 with .270 brass.
Accuracy was noticeably better with .25-06 neck up compared to .270 neck down. The concept of a "donut" at the bottom of the case neck didn`t seem to exist back then but maybe that was the reason for the accuracy difference.
When the .25-06 became commercially available, I prefered to neck up .007 with new .25-06 brass rather than neck down .013 with .270 brass.
Accuracy was noticeably better with .25-06 neck up compared to .270 neck down. The concept of a "donut" at the bottom of the case neck didn`t seem to exist back then but maybe that was the reason for the accuracy difference.
The .270 is a .30-06 necked down to .277". The 6.5-06 is a .30-06 necked down to .264". Bullet selection is the only thing that will really be different and the selection on .264" bullets is a much better than the .277". Now, if you were to compare the 6.5-06 to the .280 Remington (.284") then the bullet selection is more of an even playing field.
Those are my thoughts on it anyway.
Those are my thoughts on it anyway.
mattri - I'd say if you are primarily planning on using it as a bench rifle, Lapua may be the best choice even given that it has to be necked down, have an expandiron run in and the neck turned to minimize donut formation (I prefer turning to reaming), and annealed. Simply because of better initial uniformity and superior metallurgy.
Otherwise, or if you don't feel like that amount of work, simply neck up Winchester 25-06. It needs a little prep work Winchester brass has shown me good uniformity in other chamberings, and the price doesn't break the bank.
Norma? Not a fan on principle.
Otherwise, or if you don't feel like that amount of work, simply neck up Winchester 25-06. It needs a little prep work Winchester brass has shown me good uniformity in other chamberings, and the price doesn't break the bank.
Norma? Not a fan on principle.
mattri-
Are you starting with an existing action and deciding between 6.5-06 or 6.5-270? Both will require necking brass up or down, as you are well aware. It sounds like you are willing to purchase good brass (re: your Norma comment). You could, of course, consider the 6.5-284 and just get Lapua, Norma, or Nosler brass and not worry about neckin up or down. If you have your heart set on changing neck diameter you can still do that with .284 Win brass. Ballistics are virtually identical to 6.5-06 or 6.5-270. The cartridge works great in a long action as well. Gives you plenty of room to chase the lands and still have the rounds fit in the magazine. Just food for thought.
Are you starting with an existing action and deciding between 6.5-06 or 6.5-270? Both will require necking brass up or down, as you are well aware. It sounds like you are willing to purchase good brass (re: your Norma comment). You could, of course, consider the 6.5-284 and just get Lapua, Norma, or Nosler brass and not worry about neckin up or down. If you have your heart set on changing neck diameter you can still do that with .284 Win brass. Ballistics are virtually identical to 6.5-06 or 6.5-270. The cartridge works great in a long action as well. Gives you plenty of room to chase the lands and still have the rounds fit in the magazine. Just food for thought.
mattri
Silver $$ Contributor
Thought about the 6.5-284 but have been turned off by barrel burning issues. What I would really like to do is build an accurate .270, I love the round and think it is very under rated. The bullet selection is a little sparse as stated which made me start looking at the 6.5-270.
In one of his novels, the great American novelist Saul Bellow wrote "...dirt enters through the heart."
He was talking about love.
When I went to work for a target rifle shop, I left all my old affairs behind.
New vistas opened up.
I currently shoot 6x47 Lapua and 6.5x47 Lapua.
Both of these boast great bullet selection, fine ballistics, and Lapua brass.
Both of them will double as target rounds, and varmint.
In my view, the 270 is a venerable chambering, made famous by a couple of gifted gun writers in the mid-20th century.
But ancient technology.
If you're goal oriented, well, ...
RBD
He was talking about love.
When I went to work for a target rifle shop, I left all my old affairs behind.
New vistas opened up.
I currently shoot 6x47 Lapua and 6.5x47 Lapua.
Both of these boast great bullet selection, fine ballistics, and Lapua brass.
Both of them will double as target rounds, and varmint.
In my view, the 270 is a venerable chambering, made famous by a couple of gifted gun writers in the mid-20th century.
But ancient technology.
If you're goal oriented, well, ...
RBD
I would personally consider the .280 as well. Being a 7mm it offers some excellent bullets, and will be easier on the throat as the bore is larger. It comes from the same 06 parent case, and should perform as well as a 6.5-06 without being a wildcat. You could also go with a .280 AI and get a bit more boiler room for the added bullet diameter. Just seems like it would simplify things a bit without giving up much in the performance department.
It's very close to being a .270, with a lot better bullet selection. Seems like a great option to me.
It's very close to being a .270, with a lot better bullet selection. Seems like a great option to me.
I'd like to offer some insight, as opposed to theory. Recently I was at Whittington, on the 1,000 yard range. A man was firing at 800 who was from Kansas. He had an old pre '64 in a caliber I had never seen, 6.5-.270 Improved. I had my 6.5 x284 which I have been shooting for 16 years ( two barrels, two setbacks).
With the switchy winds he easily shot a smaller, better scoring group on his target. We then switched rifles, and I shot the better, more accurate target. The man explained to me that with a 26 inch barrel and RWS brass he has getting near .264 Win mag velocities with 11-13 grains less powder per shot. His rifles performance so much amazed me I am converting a hunting rifle with long action and standard bolt face to a caliber I once thought was a joke, when in reality it offers pretty incredible ballistics, with less recoil, an extra cartridge in the magazine and longer barrel and case life than magnum cartridges. Yeah, 6.5-.270 Improved!
With the switchy winds he easily shot a smaller, better scoring group on his target. We then switched rifles, and I shot the better, more accurate target. The man explained to me that with a 26 inch barrel and RWS brass he has getting near .264 Win mag velocities with 11-13 grains less powder per shot. His rifles performance so much amazed me I am converting a hunting rifle with long action and standard bolt face to a caliber I once thought was a joke, when in reality it offers pretty incredible ballistics, with less recoil, an extra cartridge in the magazine and longer barrel and case life than magnum cartridges. Yeah, 6.5-.270 Improved!
mikegaiz
Stay frosty, my friend.
Shooting a 6.5/06 IMP is where using 270 brass makes a difference over 06. The 270 has a longer neck that when fire forming gives you a better end product. I shot 6.5/284 and 6.5/06IMP in competition and hunting. Pretty much equal at the range. But the 6.5/06 IMP will give you about 200 fps over the 6.5/284 for hunting at unknown distances. Shoot molly for hunting and get better barrel life.
JBT47
Silver $$ Contributor
Try the .270 in a 1-8” twist and throat for the 170gr EOL.
http://www.bergerbullets.com/introducing-the-berger-270-caliber-170-grain-eol-elite-hunter/
http://www.bergerbullets.com/introducing-the-berger-270-caliber-170-grain-eol-elite-hunter/
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