Any 6.5-06 users?

[#publiclands]

Would like to hear the pros and cons of the 6.5-06. Can you share barrel makes, contours, barrel twists that have worked for you and that you would recommend. Thanks

 

[brockel]

One of my favorite rounds. Have owned a few of them with Shilen, brux, and proof research 1-8” twists. 140 Berger vld and 156 grain eol we used do everything from coyotes to elk.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I have two now (actually 6.5-06ai) and they are great. But, I would probably just build a 6.5 SAUM if I was starting from scratch.

If you want the speeds of the standard 6.5-06 I would go with the 6.5x284 or 6.5 PRC.

 

[#publiclands]

The donor rifle is a 30-06 so I wouldn’t need to change that out bolt face for 6.5-06. The 6.5-06 just sounds sexy also. The 6.5 prc sounds good also since brass would be available and well as loaded ammo if needed. Wouldn’t have to fire form any as with the 6.5-06.

 

[#publiclands]

One of my favorite rounds. Have owned a few of them with Shilen, brux, and proof research 1-8” twists. 140 Berger vld and 156 grain eol we used do everything from coyotes to elk.

What barrel contours did you you go with? Do you feel that an 8.5 would be a good all around twist? Was thinking about picking up a McGowen from Gunshack but they only have them in stock in a varmint contour. Was thinking maybe a #4 or #5 so it would still have some stiffness but won’t be as heavy for a hunting rifle.

 

[2five7]

6.5 RPM is a good choice if you're converting an '06 based rifle. ~80 grains case capacity, no belt, and good brass available from Weatherby.

 

[RaggedHunter]

I have a 6.5-06 AI as well. Hands down my favorite rifle, it is such a sweet round. I too started out with an old 30-06.

IMO if you're going through all the effort to build a rifle, I see no reason to build a standard 6.5-06 over an Ackley. Fireforming the brass is no big deal, and it's worth it for the superior AI case. I get great brass life out of the AI, I don't think I've ever had to trim the brass after the initial fire forming, I make all my brass from 270 cases.

Mine is built on a rem 721 action. Bolt was converted to rem 700 bolt.
Proof Research Sendero Light contour. 24" 1/8 twist.
Mcmillan Game Hunter stock.
It shoots 140 Berger Elite hunters ~3075fps and has printed multiple 1/4 MOA groups throughout the years. My rifle loves Retumbo. It shot H1000 pretty well, but Retumbo had the edge with accuracy and velocity from my gun.

If you decide to go the AI route let me know and I would be happy to share some more of my load development data with you.

It is a hell of a mule deer round. Does the trick on elk too. This bull was shot at 450.

 

[Wrench]

I moved from the 6.5-06 to the 260ai. I am still on par for speed at 3030fps with a 140.

The 6.5-06 is what broke me into the 6.5s 20 years ago and I am lucky to have found it.

I've used Brux, Broughton, Bemchmark and McGowan and all have been stellar. I've only messed with 8 or 8.5 twists and tend to shoot 140 class pills.

 

[brockel]

What barrel contours did you you go with? Do you feel that an 8.5 would be a good all around twist? Was thinking about picking up a McGowen from Gunshack but they only have them in stock in a varmint contour. Was thinking maybe a #4 or #5 so it would still have some stiffness but won’t be as heavy for a hunting rifle.

#3 is what i always went with. 8.5 might work depending on what bullet you are wanting to shoot and what elevation you are at

 

[B23]

I have two now (actually 6.5-06ai) and they are great. But, I would probably just build a 6.5 SAUM if I was starting from scratch.

If you want the speeds of the standard 6.5-06 I would go with the 6.5x284 or 6.5 PRC.

IMO the above pretty well nails it.

My dad has a semi custom 6.5-06AI built on a Howa with a 8tw Lilja. Probably shoots about as good as anything he owns but his accuracy loads and almost two inches more barrel are nearly the same as my 6.5-284+P.

 

[#publiclands]

Man you guys are talking me out of my 6.5-06 … main reason I’m going this route is I have the dies already and a McGowen barrel is in stock and ready to purchase, but in a varmint contour… which is the only reason I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. But But the McGowen is priced pretty good at 300. I’m doing the semi build on a budget and don’t know what I’m doing to tell you the truth. So any and all advise is appreciated. The 6.5-06 ai sounds intriguing though But I’ve always heard that the hassle of fire forming was not worth it.

 

[brockel]

Man you guys are talking me out of my 6.5-06 … main reason I’m going this route is I have the dies already and a McGowen barrel is in stock and ready to purchase, but in a varmint contour… which is the only reason I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. But But the McGowen is priced pretty good at 300. I’m doing the semi build on a budget and don’t know what I’m doing to tell you the truth. So any and all advise is appreciated. The 6.5-06 ai sounds intriguing though But I’ve always heard that the hassle of fire forming was not worth it.

Look into the long action 6.5 Sherman. Built off the 280 remington case. That’s a mean one right there

 

[dirtytough]

There is no way I’m building a 6.5-06 now days when there is the 6.5-284 and 6.5 PRC.

Also I wouldn’t build a 6.5-06ai. I would do a 6.5 RPM or a 6.5-280ai. No fire forming required that way.

I have a 6.5-06ai and have other cartridges that require fire forming and I’m kind of over it.

Anyway if you are dead set on the 6.5-06 I would try RL26 with 140’s-156’s.

 

[chutinlead]

If you are planning on using 270 brass there is a different reamer to use the longer neck and not have to trim .100" off each piece. It's a 6.5-270 rather than a 6.5-06. If you are using .25-06 brass and necking up it's the standard reamer.

 

[#publiclands]

If you are planning on using 270 brass there is a different reamer to use the longer neck and not have to trim .100" off each piece. It's a 6.5-270 rather than a 6.5-06. If you are using .25-06 brass and necking up it's the standard reamer.

I was not aware of the option. Was just planning on purchasing a barrel. Thanks for letting me know though. I did hear that necking up from 25-06 was common.

 

[#publiclands]

There is no way I’m building a 6.5-06 now days when there is the 6.5-284 and 6.5 PRC.

Also I wouldn’t build a 6.5-06ai. I would do a 6.5 RPM or a 6.5-280ai. No fire forming required that way.

I have a 6.5-06ai and have other cartridges that require fire forming and I’m kind of over it.

Anyway if you are dead set on the 6.5-06 I would try RL26 with 140’s-156’s.

The 6.5-280ai sounds has me thinking. Wouldn’t have to change out bolt face for the magnum for the 6.5 prc and brass has a higher potential to be purchased with no fire forming. Where do I find the dies though? Imagine they would be a special order thing. Haven’t seen many barrel makers that offer that caliber. Would you know who does. Thanks

 

[dirtytough]

I don’t. You could use a 280ai bushing die to size. I would bet there are a lot of dies that would work as a seater including your 6.5-06 seater you already have.

 

[#publiclands]

There is no way I’m building a 6.5-06 now days when there is the 6.5-284 and 6.5 PRC.

Also I wouldn’t build a 6.5-06ai. I would do a 6.5 RPM or a 6.5-280ai. No fire forming required that way.

I have a 6.5-06ai and have other cartridges that require fire forming and I’m kind of over it.

Anyway if you are dead set on the 6.5-06 I would try RL26 with 140’s-156’s.

How much increase in velocity and barrel life can one expect 6.5-06 vs 6.5-280ai? Assuming it’s very similar to comparing to the 6.5-06 ai. Probably could see most difference at the 140 grain plus bullets.

 

[brockel]

The 6.5-280ai sounds has me thinking. Wouldn’t have to change out bolt face for the magnum for the 6.5 prc and brass has a higher potential to be purchased with no fire forming. Where do I find the dies though? Imagine they would be a special order thing. Haven’t seen many barrel makers that offer that caliber. Would you know who does. Thanks

280 ackley bushing die with the right bushing. Use a 6.5-06 or 6.5-284 seater

 

[B23]

Do yourself a favor and hit the easy button and go 6.5-284. Lapua brass that is as good as it gets and lasts forever with absolutely zero necking/forming of any kind just size it load it. Spend less time tinkering and more time shooting.

As I mentioned earlier, my dad had a 6.5-06AI built on a Howa long action and at the time I begged him to just go 6.5-284 but he's old school and wasn't having it. He asked me awhile back if I knew anyone that wanted to buy it and then admitted he wished he'd have gone 6.5-284 instead. He had a 6-06AI built around the same time and again I begged him to go 6-284 instead. He has his 6-06AI for sale too.

It's not that I think one is any better than the other but the 6.5-284 is just so damn easy and accuracy loads generally end up shooting nearly the same velocity.