Someone tell about the 6.5/06...

[Cookieman74]

I am wanting to put together a new rifle and keep getting the 6.5/06 in my head yet never read that anyone, on here or any other of the very few sites that I look at, shoots one or anything else about them. Case capacity is nearly the same as the 284, with a 28 inch barrel ought to easily hit 3,000 with a 140 Berger, ought to last a lot longer than the old .264 mag......but will it be an ' inherently INACCURATE ' cartridge, or mediocore, or have potential equal to most others. Got a pile of same-lot once fired 30/06 brass and a 700 action....And am wondering where to go. All comments and suggestions from experienced souls welcomed. Thanks!

 

[bheadboy]

Some years go, i had one built on a VZ24 mauser with a Douglas premium bbl. it was a supurb cartridge, i did not have a crono then however using the 129 horn it took so many deer i can not remember the number. Jerry Hart of Hart bbls was using one as his favorite deer rifle, i remember helping him hang a 300lb deer in Wy taken at about 300 plus yds.

Later another friend had a corno and was getting 3000+ 129's and around 3000 with the 140's i think he used imr 4350. these were all deer rifles with 24 " bbl. mine was so accurate i used it in Hunter class at Wapwalipin.

it was stolen later and i have no idea what happened to it.

Bob

 

[dragman]

My friend has a bench gun set up in this caliber, and with a 30" barrel he is getting 3218fps with 140 bergers. it shoots really pretty well hasn't had it up to the competition yet but we shall see. I always keep thinking if it's so great of a cartridge then why is the 6.5X284 so much more popular??? IDK.

 

[wapiti25]

The 6.5-06 is fantastic. I have built two. It IMHO is better than the 25-06 and the 270 Win. The reason is the 6.5 bullets that are available. I have three 25-06's, I have two 270's. If you are going to compete in the long range shooting like F class or bench rest it would probably be just a OK gun. The brass is one of the problems for the 06 case in that finding concentric cases is hard. Their are better 6.5's for shooting to 600 yds as I'm gathering componets for a 6.5X47L. I shot the NRA High Power with one of my 6.5-06's and did well with it. It works very well for hunting. You need to decide on what the rifle will be used for. I'm looking to build another 6.5-06 for long range antelope hunting. They are a fun cartridge. I did win the silver medal at the state match in my class with my 6.5-06, I was shooting the old Nosler solid base 120's. My thought is build around the Berger 130's for the new rifle.

 

[wapiti25]

I don't believe that their are inherently accurate cartridge's. I think it is "how" and "what" is put together, it all has to do with matching the components. I think the barrel, twist rate, chamber are VERY important. I found that it was hard to get 140's to 3000 ft/sec, first you need a very long barrel and case destroying pressures. I found 3000 ft/sec very doable with the 130's. I have seen "fast" barrels, I have one in 338, but most are average.

 

[JeffG]

it's a hundred year old cartridge... 256 Newton,
smokin' hot then...even more now with modern projectiles!

 

[longbow]

I had a 6.5 Gibbs ( blown out improved)on a 270 case for alittle longer neck than the 06' Imp. an excellant gun, if down the way I can buy it back i will. Built for longrange deer , consistently did 5 shots in 4" at 500 yds. Just bumped the 270 case to 6.5 for crush fit to fireform. Pete

 

[MrMajestic]

........ i used it in Hunter class at Wapwalipin.

Bob

Is that just down river from Shickshinny and Mocanaqua? ;D

 

[Broncazonk]

I did an forum archive search on this very topic last week. Plus 1 on all the positive comments, the 6.5/06 is the real deal. Problem is, it's only the real deal for about 600 rounds when its loaded to it's full potential. There were many comments about "having to adopt a gunsmith" as barrels needed to be changed and chambers needed to be moved forward, that kind of thing.

Bronc

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi Cookie,hi all

It seems from what I heard,I have no real experience with the 6.5/06,I'm afraid,that the main problem with it is barrel burning,if you mean to shoot it to its full potential...So knowing that,I'm trying to get Dan at Mc Gowen's to embark on a project of building a 6.5x57(257 Roberts necked up to 6.5)improved 30°...I intend to build the tube gun inspired stock myself(with the help of a machinist friend of mine)from a billet of aluminum 6cm in diameter...The barrel will be affixed to the stock via a block(check the 6.5 mystic on this site for reference),the action will just rest on a rail like trench and be secured to it just like on a normal wooden stock.I still have to get it started(I do hope this guy Dan gives me a positive answer as to that),Dave Manson at Manson's reamers thinks the cartridge is a nice promise,so....I'll give you feedback if ever Dan allows....He's as closed as an oyster that guy.

 

[treeman]

cookieman,I did an forum archive search on this very topic last week. Plus 1 on all the positive comments, the 6.5/06 is the real deal. Problem is, it's only the real deal for about 600 rounds when its loaded to it's full potential. There were many comments about "having to adopt a gunsmith" as barrels needed to be changed and chambers needed to be moved forward, that kind of thing.

Bronc

seems to me since the 6.5-06 and 6.5x284 have very simular case capacities the 6.5-06 should out last the 6.5x284 on barrel life especialy the 6.5-06 ackley, which is said to be 800-1200 rounds. as far as inherent accuracy I doubt with equal componets there would be much real world difference. I have a 6.5x284 hunting rifle and if I were to build another one it would be on a long action for magazine reasons. with what you have I would go with the 6.5-06 and not look back. It was standeredized in europe several years ago as the 6.5 breneke I can't remember if it was done on the 270 case or the "06". I will check and repost.
treeman

 

[jr600yd]

I shoot one in mid-long range competition. If this is what you want to do then you need a long barrel with a fast twist for the heavy bullets like the 140 Berger or the 142 SMK'S. I suggest a 1/8 or 1/8.5 finished at 30". Brass: I've found it's easier to run 25/06 brass over a .264 mandrel to open up the neck. Load and shoot. Primers: You need ones that are hard. Tula-Wolf work very well and will deliver low SD's Powders: This cartridge likes slow powders. 4831 works the best in my rifle although very good results were obtained with the 4350 powders. Velocity: Not quite as fast as a 6.5/284 when max loads are fired the 6.5/06 holds it's own. Best accuracy in my rifle is in the 2850-2950 range. It runs 100-150 fps slower than the 6.5/284. Accuracy: Belive me, once you tune a load for your rifle, it will hold tighter than you can. Barrel Life: Nothings free. I shoot Molly bullets and get between 1800-2000 Rd's from a barrel. You won't get anything like that from a 6.5/284

 

[spitfire_er]

I shoot one in mid-long range competition. If this is what you want to do then you need a long barrel with a fast twist for the heavy bullets like the 140 Berger or the 142 SMK'S. I suggest a 1/8 or 1/8.5 finished at 30". Brass: I've found it's easier to run 25/06 brass over a .264 mandrel to open up the neck. Load and shoot. Primers: You need ones that are hard. Tula-Wolf work very well and will deliver low SD's Powders: This cartridge likes slow powders. 4831 works the best in my rifle although very good results were obtained with the 4350 powders. Velocity: Not quite as fast as a 6.5/284 when max loads are fired the 6.5/06 holds it's own. Best accuracy in my rifle is in the 2850-2950 range. It runs 100-150 fps slower than the 6.5/284. Accuracy: Belive me, once you tune a load for your rifle, it will hold tighter than you can. Barrel Life: Nothings free. I shoot Molly bullets and get between 1800-2000 Rd's from a barrel. You won't get anything like that from a 6.5/284

+1

I have had a 6.5-06 and now shoot a 6.5-280 30 degree imp. Mine is strictly a hunting rifle but has a fast twist to shoot the 140 class bullets. Shooting a 26" light varmint barrel gives me that 2850-2950 range without much trouble. I've run the 142 smk's over 3,000 and the 130 accubonds over 3100, but found my most accurate load with the 142 smks to be at 2850 fps. I'm thinking with this load I should be able to get 2,000 rounds. I have about 350 down this one now, I'll check it with the bore scope and report back. I don't have much experience with the 6.5-284, too many other choices.

 

[M14AMU]

it's a hundred year old cartridge... 256 Newton,
smokin' hot then...even more now with modern projectiles!

"it's a hundred year old cartridge"

Yep...THAT CASE....is 107 years old and absolutely worn out!! 15 rounds fired from 1000 yds. using it.


'061000 by Sharps45 2 7/8, on Flickr

 

[Hombre0321]

There are a couple of guys shooting the 6.5/06 in competition now. Bob Pastor the great rest builder just won the 10 day agg up in Canada a couple of months ago shooting his tried and true 6.5/06. Very good brass available with Lapua, forming might be something you will need to get a handle on, and barrel life is something to consider. 600 Rounds sounds real bad and I think somewhere in the area of 900 to a 1,000 is probably better. Bob I think is shooting the 141 CAUTERUCIO ( Thanks Rick for the correct spelling ) at 3150fps, and this thing shoots very close to the wind.

Roland

 

[M14AMU]

ROBERT CAUTERUCIO Phone: (650)583-1550

 

[Hombre0321]

Thanks for that correct spelling Rick. You know Marines were never meant to be smart just willing..

Roland

 

[Suicycle]

Good read and info here. Just kicking around the same idea on what to do with a LA 700 but without the pile of brass. Seems like the 6.5/06 might be the next rifle in the safe for hunting and very light use and slow rates of fire on paper/steel. If I end up buying a reamer or splitting it with the smith is there anything I should look for? Not interested in turning necks for a hunting rifle, but throat length and angle would be interesting info.

 

[bheadboy]

MrMajestic, sorry missed your post,

the range was on the east side of the mountain accross the river from Nescopeck, Bob Hart ( hart bbls) ran the shoots.
That is where i first shot BR, met Mike Walker, Warren Page, Homer Culver, Clyde, Wally, Bobby, Jerry, Hart, Ralph Stole, John Hall etc. great times in the shooting game.
Bob