The 6.5/06

[CWLONGSHOT]

Manuals came in!!



Yes, thank you for reminder, I have and forgot about that older Hogdon manual data too!

Loaded VV165 & 4831. I want to work with StaBALL6.5. (Similar to the 4350's)

 

[Rick H]

It's really an optimum diameter, which allows us to achieve great sectional density without resorting to really heavy bullets in larger calibers which would hurt us when we shoot them. This also allows us to shoot bullets of better sectional density at lower velocities and still to good effect, which also hurts less.

Jeff H I heard exactly the same explanation given by a fellow at my range back in the late 60's-early 70's. Only he was extolling the virtues of the 7mm bore while looking down the nose at those who shot 30 cal. and above.

The truth is there is NO superior caliber. All are compromises and 6.5mm, 270, 7mm, 30cal, 338 all do wonderful work out to silly ranges on medium/big game animals. You pick your poison and learn to shoot it. I have to wonder how we ever survived the recoil of poorly stocked, ill fitting, steel butted 30-06 battle rifles without maiming millions of GI's through a couple of world wars and untold smaller conflicts.

 

[Jeff H]

.....

My only bug with the 6.5 is the same "failure" of 7mm , the obsession with threadlike twist rates which would be great if there were a bunch 175-190 gr VLD type bullets but you can't hardly find 175 anything jacketed and cast isn't much better in 7mm .

That's the problem - they're "selling" the 6.5 mystique and legend but no longer selling the long bullets which made the 6.5 legendary. I've heard people yammer on about the incredible sectional density of the 6.5 in their AR, and on and on and you find out they're shooting 120 grain bullets to get the velocity up. Try to tell them that a .257" 120 grain bullet has greater sectional density and you get sneered at.

No knock on 120 grain 6.5 bullets, any of the 6.5 cases or any 6.5 arm, but do people READ anything besides advertisements? I'd been through several reloading manuals, cover to cover before I ever got my own first centerfire.

I don't really have a dog in the fight these days, as I've sold all my rifles which shot jacketed bullets except one 223. Jacketed bullets got too expensive and too complicated. Sierra 160 grain SPs or Hornady 160 grain RNs were $10/c last time I bought them, penetrated and expanded at moderate velocities. So, I gave up when I couldn't buy what I liked. My brother has been shooting whitetails each year, out to 200 yards from my old 6.5x55, using the 160 grain bullets starting at about 2400 fps. ZERO complaints.

 

[Jeff H]

.....

The truth is there is NO superior caliber. All are compromises and 6.5mm, 270, 7mm, 30cal, 338 all do wonderful work out to silly ranges on medium/big game animals....

I don't disagree with that one bit and I definitely don't look down my nose at the other calibers, but there's a cost associated with achieving the same with other calibers. That "cost" is not a negative, just a choice. My point regarding the 6.5 and the hoopla associated with it is that you CAN do with other cases and bores what you can with the 6.5s. The "magic" is in that the 6.5 seems to hit an optimum for a lot of people regarding recoil. You can get moderate recoil with bullets having enough sectional density to be effective in flight, through air and (most) game with a bullet that weighs less than in one of the larger calibers.



On the subjective side, I really do just like the 6.5. It may not be better, I just like it better. Those long, slender 160 grain RNs just loo SO cool!

 

[Wiresguy]

I was late to the 6.5 world. Happily used a 280 Remington for years, then had it rebored to .338 using the 280 chamber. It was a great SE Alaska deer cartridge.

My first 6.5 was a well-used 6.5x55 96 Swede, followed by a Rem 700, a couple of Ruger 77’s, the last one was a Sako 75 stainless which got sent to my grandson in Alaska, who had been deer hunting with an AR15 in .223. He’s happy with the 6.5x55 and is able to find some decent factory loads for it as he doesn’t handload, yet.

I bought a 6.5 Creedmoor to replace the Sako sent to the grandson. Now that I don’t hunt anymore I can still enjoy shooting the 6.5 CM at the range. Little recoil, great accuracy, and just lots of enjoyment. I wouldn't hesitate to use it on a deer, given the chance.

Also tried the .260 Rem when it first came out in the Model 7 and the one I bought was a dog for accuracy. Later got one in a Sako 75 and it was a good shooter.

Never had a 6.5-06, though not from lack of interest. It would have been a better all-around cartridge than the 25-06, which was another favorite of mine for several years.

A note about that Remington 700 6.5x55. I purchased it used from the LGS and never could get it to shoot accurately. Traded it back in on something else. Was in the shop later and chatting with one of the local gun guys that I knew pretty well. We watched a fellow checking out the rifle and I mentioned that I had owned that rifle and never could get it to shoot well. He smiled at me and said “Yeah, neither could I.”

 

[Rockydoc]

I have owned at least one 6.5 mm rifle continuously for the last 64 years. You have a wide range of bullet weights that you don’t find in 25, and 26 and 27caliber cartridges. You find an even wider range of bullet weights in 30 caliber, but more recoil than 26. And I don’t like recoil.

 

[todd]

in my case i have been shooting the 30 caliber since i was 13 or 14yo and the 7mm has to be around 25 years or so. i'm a little bit late to the 6.5 calibers, i believe it was 2008 or '09 when i fired the 6.5 Creedmoor. i killed 8 - 10 deer with it, (120gr and 140gr NBT) 30-50 yards and a long shot that was 75 or so yards. but i got bored with it and now "everybody" has the 6.5CM, so i sold them (15", 16 1/4" and 23" MGM barrels).

i was trying to save up for my son's rifle (should have been a 7x57 Douglas barrel), but he said he kind liked the 6.5x55 and by the way dad, Numrich will sell you the 6.5x55 in 24" sporter barrel and you (dad) have the money. so i bought it and gave a '16 Spanish Mauser action and the barrel to my gunsmith. when it was done, i bought a 3-9x Burris to put on it. boy, does it shoot groups!!! 3/4 - 1 1/4" at 100 yards (5 shots/bench) with 120gr Nosler BT and IMR4350 going roughly 2700fps (didn't chrony it) should kill a deer or two. i don't know the name of the the barrel, i just know who sold. the next the Numrich sporter barrel comes out, i want it!!!

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

My favorite deer bullet in my old Sweed was the Sierra 120 SBT.
I load it in my Grendel bolt to 2650 ish. Its been good so far!
For some reason my Grendel wont shoot the 100 or 120 NBT worth a whoot compared to a SST or Gold Dot or that SBT. My 6.5/06 shoots the 120 NBT but not the 140! Never saw a NBT that wouldnt shoot before the 6.5's.

 

[Michael]

My wife had a 96 that liked both the 120gr Sierras and 120 Speers to the point for all practical purposes they were basically interchangeable. Velocities and accuracy tracked pretty much side by side, and the neat part, same POI within a 1/4" at a 100yds, close enough in my book.
Now move up to the 140gr Speers, phht, went through 2 boxes of them, double phht. Never did find a load that shot what I thought was acceptable, 1-1/2" was a very good day, usually closer to 2" was the norm while the above 120s would routinely deliver inch or better. Actually has shot cast has better then 140 Speers.

But back to the OP, really can't see where anyone could go wrong with 6.5-06 for medium/small bore hunting rifle. A little over kill for varmints, but we are all likely guilty of that from time to time. Up through mule deer size critters with the right bullet, presuming the shooter does his/her part not much to worry about. I know countless moose have fallen to the Swede in the Scandinavian countries, me I just like another 0.074" in bullet dia.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I agree. If its all I had, I would load up a 160rn and use it and never think twice. But thats not the case so for me it was built for the day/time I can hunt open spaces thinking Antelope, Mulies, Caribou, White/Blk Tails.

It shoots 142 Match SCARRY accurate... Almost general vicinity and bullets find previous holes... 125/140 Partitions shoot an inch. The 129 Hornadys will touch most of the time @ 200y. I have some 150 Accubonds but haven't shot them. Id like to try 140 Gold Dots too. 120's are lasers in my Grendel but USELESS in '06 cause they built for Grendel and not advised past 2500 fps on game. I shot a deer with one (big fella) BETWEEN the ribs (NO BONES HIT) @ 60-70 yards shooting, down hill. The load was later clocked @ 2660+ fps. Bullet entered and pulped one lung poked hole in other and its remnants lodged just above brisket right behind elbow off side. No holes in heart. Deer mule kicked and ran 600+ Yards UPHILL on SNOW ZERO BLOOD TRAIL.



I called Speer and spoke with lab guys who REPEATEDLY said without elaborating 2550 MAX IMPACT VELOCITY this bullet. And 2450 is better! My gun in pic is Howa Mini 22" and its a fast bbl. Same load is a tad warm with Sierra 120 also lil slower but is a tougher bullet.
I generally love Speer Hot Corrs but have been burned too many times to invest unless I can buy a quantity cause the boogers discontinue too many favorites on me!
The 30 165 RN and 358 250 RN come to mind right away... Anyhow that 150 GD aughta be a dandy I know Creed fellers like it & <2800.

CW

 

[Michael]

Forgot about the 338 275 SP.
Oh.. and 308 100gr Plinkers.....

Back when I was playing with the 6.5 120 Speers they were considered acceptable for any 6.5 round and the Grendel wasn't even on the radar 30 years ago. Did Speer change something, or is it the GDs that have the velocity limitation?

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Forgot about the 338 275 SP.
Oh.. and 308 100gr Plinkers.....

Back when I was playing with the 6.5 120 Speers they were considered acceptable for any 6.5 round and the Grendel wasn't even on the radar 30 years ago. Did Speer change something, or is it the GDs that have the velocity limitation?

The 120GD is a Grendel Purpose built bullet. They also make a 30/150g GD just for the 300BO vel range.