What about the 6.5-06?

[223Rem]

Thinking about getting into the 6.5mm game and have a SS LA with .473 BF available as a donor action (currently for sale but no takers).

Thought about going 6.5-284 Norma, but I have access to a lot of .25-06 brass (great for necking up) and have .30-06 headspace gauges.

Anyone have real world experience with this cartridge, as it's prospects looks good with quickloads.

[Eric in NC]

One of my favorites - I like the AI version myself (since you are going wildcat you might as well...).

Accurate, versatile, reasonably well behaved. I tend to use heavy (140+) bullets and slow poweder in mine - makes the best use of the capacity.

[Junfan]

I had one built about 15 years ago with a 24" Pac-nor tube and it was an outstanding and very accurate rifle. I killed everything from rock chucks to elk with it and never felt under gunned. If performed like a 270win at ranges inside of 500 yards but out further it was incredible!! If you are shooting a high BC 140gr bullet it will shoot very flat, retain energy well and buck the wind very well at longer range. Comparing to a 300wm with 150 and 165gr bullets your 6.5-06 will deliver more energy at long range.

Sadly that rifle was stolen a number of years ago and I have not replaced it.

[darkker]

My favorite coyote guns of all time(well maybe my first 25-06). You can completely blow them in half with a 95gr V-Max.
The the 6.5's sectional density will get into the boiler room on any elk also. Build it and you will love it. Just like the '06, it is very well behaved, and reloads easily. IF you are going to be doing alot of 140's; have the conversation with the barrel man about leaving you plenty of throat.

[Tracer]

223 Rem, I went to the 6.5/06 last year and really like it for hunting and shooting down range passed 300 yards. It is very accurate for just a hunting rifle. I been using a 25-06 for the passed couple decades with good real good luck on deer and varmints etc. It is a supreme caliber for coyotes in m opinion. You can hit them anywhere with that 100 grn bullet and the "song dog" is going sing a different tune.