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6.5mm-06

Hawkshaw
What is your opinion of this cartridge, mostly in regard to accuracy. What about twist rate??? Any handloading tips, or problems? THX HAWKSHAW
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • Hawkshaw
    Anybody got some dope on the 6.5mm-06? I've heard a lot about the terminal bllistics of the 6.5mm bullets (I'm supposing it's because of the long heavy bullets with high ballistic coefficients available in this caliber but I'm not sure.) I'm thinking of rebarreling a sporterized 03 Springfield to this caliber. I'd love to read some knowledgable thoughts on this.

    ranahan
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  • joel_black
    I recently sold a 6.5-06 Mauser. It was very accurate with loads listed by Hodgdon.
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  • cussedemgun
    Hawkshaw,

    The wildcat versions of 6.5-06 are almost as old as the '06 itself. The best known versions are the 6.5-06 AI & the 263 Sabre. This wildcat falls between the 25-06 & the 270 Win. It gives similar results to either depending upon bullet weight perfered, light bullets, look to 25-06 performance & heavy bullets will mimic 270 results.

    Twist rate depends on what you expect any caliber to do. The Greenhill Formula is a good starting point for rate of twist. The short version is:
    The twist required to overcome instibility is (in calibers) equil to 150 divided by the length of the bullet (in calibers).
    For the long version, see Hatcher's Notebook, by Julian S. Hatcher, page 556.

    For loading, it will be nearly equil case volume as the now popular 6.5-284 & one should expect similar results.

    The main problem to watch out for; wildcats can be adictive so BEWARE & proceed with CAUTION!

    Jim
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  • cpermd
    This is a great cartridge.
    There are many accurate bullets available.
    I love it in a long action.

    If using a short action go with the 6.5-284.

    Just remember they do get earlier throat wear than most.

    CP
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  • ern98
    Of recent years the 6.5x284 has taken the 6.5-06's crown and made it it's own. The long range, 1000yd, shooters have demonstrated that the 6.5x284 is a great, accurate, long range cartridge. If you are thinking about building a 6.5 I'd go either the swede or the 284 version. If you have been given or have an opertunity to buy a 6.5-06 then go for it as it is a fantastic cartridge that will take all north american game with the exception of really large/dangerous game. Like big bears, buffalo, wild bulls, etc. It would most likely work ok for them with the right bullet, but who's kidding who. There are better cartridges for that sort of game.
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  • jptatum
    How does this cartridge compare to the 264 Win. and the 6.5 Rem. Mag.?
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  • sandwarrior
    Hawkshaw,

    The 6.5-06 has just a slight edge in capacity over the 6.5-284, therefore it has a little more potential velocity wise. It can be made to be very accurate as most any case off the 30-06. For twist I would go with what stabilizes most of the bullets you shoot, which would be a 1-8" so you can stabilize up to 156's. A 1-8.5" will stabilize 140-144's. If you wanted to get a little extreme you could go with a 1-7" to stabilize up to 180's.

    Personally, I think the round has a lot of pop but not very efficient. For maximum punch and efficiency I would go with a .260 AI. Although I would consider that a marginal case size to push out the 160-180 gr. bullets to an effective velocity. You would need to go to the larger cases to push them out fast enough. Otherwise, keeping to 140 gr. bullets it's about as much as you may want/need.
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  • JustC
    I run a 6.5-06AI on a sako L691 action. It has been very accurate and easy to work up loads for. My twist is 1:8 in a PacNor tube.

    H4831sc and 140gr bullets are a superb combination and with the high BC of the 6.5mm pills, it runs very flat.
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