Why 6.5-06?

[JCalhoun]

What is the new interest in a 6.5-06? I know they have been around a while and semi-popular among the 1000y target shooters but what is the point?

You can do the same thing with a 6.5 X 55 Swedish and already have quality cases that you don't have to make yourself.

If you need faster than a Swede then the .264 Win Mag is there.

Other than different, what is the point? Lord knows I like different.

[wbm]

Don't know if there is really a point. Seems some folks just like different. If I were going that way I would definitely go with the 6.5-06 A-Square. Dies, brass etc. are available for it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6.5-06_A-Square

http://www.nosler.com/65-06-a-square (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6.5-06_A-Square)

[stomp442]

I've never seen a swede produce 2950+fps. The 6.5-06 and 6.5-284 have nearly identical case capacity and therefore nearly identical performance. I would say the draw to the 6.5-06 case is the easy to find cheap high quality brass that can be necked down for it. Can't say that for 6.5-284 brass. If you can find it you generally pay out the nose for it.

[stangfish]

I've never seen a swede produce 2950+fps.

You've never seen Scope Eye load one.

[stomp442]

Im not a subscriber to his way of loading.

[yobuck]

the bolt handle tells us all when to stop including scope eye.
his secret is lighter bullets which work for him and how he shoots.
shooting across wide windy valleys is a different subject.
i feel the renewed interest in the 6.5x06 is due to the renewed interest in the 6.5 in general.
i guess the same could be said about others.

[sinman]

I like all of the 6.5s, there are so many duplicate performing cartridges out there that it doesn't really matter anymore. I have been working on my 6.5 Sin for a little while now, that is in a completely different category of 6.5 though. I saw have as many 6.5s as possible it will just create more demand for awesome bullets.

[JCalhoun]

Again, if we need more go power then why not the .264 Win Mag?

I'm not kicking 6.5's in general or the need for different as I had a .260AI when they were uncool and the brass was occassional runs of Remington. It hooked me and the .260AI I have now that Sinman did the Brux barrel is very accurate.

I'm just asking why a 6.5-06 other than to be different?

[sinman]

That is probably the main reason is just to be different, or they have a ton of brass that they want to use. I'm not a fan of the belted mags so the 264 win mag never grabbed my attention. I put together my 6.5 Sin and it blew right past 264 speeds. the 264 Win shoots a 140gr right around 3k fps and my 6.5 Sin is 3600-3700fps. If anyone hasn't tried the 160gr Matrix bullets in their 6.5mm (1/8" twist or faster) you should give them a shot, est bc is .7-.72 depending on speed.

[keeki]

Comparing a 6.5x55 to a 6.5-06 is about the same as comparing a 308win to a 30-06. No comparison

[stomp442]

The belted mags have never done it for me either and the 264 win mag is really not doing much more than the 6.5-06. A gain of about 150 fps is really not going to effect much on the receiving end of things and the 6.5-06 has the advantage of high quality brass and proper head spacing off the shoulder.

[yobuck]

the headspace argument really isnt an issue as many shooters headspace off the shoulder anyway even on magnums.
at some point every cartridge runs out of gas. if you want more distance you will need a bigger gas tank its just that simple.
so either be happy with what your current cartridge can do as for max distance or submitt to the only alternative. magnums.

[stomp442]

Magnums are not the only alternative. I've got 6.5-06 Ackley improved that will run 140 bergers over 3100 fps using less powder than the magnum. If you really need more than the 6.5-06 has to offer its probly better to step up to a larger caliber magnum to get more energy out of the heavier pills.

[yobuck]

Magnums are not the only alternative. I've got 6.5-06 Ackley improved that will run 140 bergers over 3100 fps using less powder than the magnum. If you really need more than the 6.5-06 has to offer its probly better to step up to a larger caliber magnum to get more energy out of the heavier pills.

obviously i didnt choose the right words but thats what i meant. there comes a time to move on to a larger cartridge.
i built a 6.5 short mag several years back. according to my drops it would appear im in the 3350 + range with a 140.
i have a 7mm that will do that with a 162, and a 30 cal that will with a 190. simply from the standpoint of energy
they are a better choice. even they arent much good beyond 1000 yds in my opinion.

[35Whelenshooter]

I have 6.5-06 that just loves 120Gr. bullets, I have taken several deer with it. They have all been one shot kills. The history of this started as 256 Newton about 1913 as time as gone on, this cartridge as gone through some changes to today's case 6.5x06 A Square. Bullets in 6.5 have a good selection to shoot along with high BC's and SD's

I am sure that I will have all kinds of reply's

This is just one of the many rounds that were born for the parent case the 30-06 there are so many that have come from this case. 6.5-06 lets you shot varmints to moose. It is easy to load for, mild recoil, very flat shooting. Bottom line is it like your automobile your pick the one that you like.

just my .02

[blackbart338-06]

Why 6.5-06 Because you can! Does there need to be a reason at all?

[wbm]

After thinking about the philosophical points related to your question for the better part of a day, I have decided that there does not have to be a reason at all. I don't think any ethical or moral boundaries would be violated. It's the "because you can" part that troubles me.

[RyanG]

I would like to do a 6.5-06..... I already have a 264 Win Mag and a 6.5-284...... Why do I want the 06 when the other 2 are so close.... Well cause I dont have one and I totally love messing with 6.5's..... I think that I would do a 24 inch heavy sporter weight barrel, max, with a 1 in 8 twist for the 140's even if I shot the lighter pills. I havent pulled the trigger on a new barrel yet because I already have the other two and I may go 338-06 instead.... Long story short.... I want one of each!!!!

[wbm]

Don't know about pills but it should shoot lighter bullets fairly well.:(

[yobuck]

it makes a good choice for those interested in hunting deer sized animals at longer distances.
especially if you have a bucket full of old military 06 brass laying around.
the 264 isnt a fish and it isnt a duck. thats why it never got off the ground with long range hunters.
bullet weight and bc rule when it comes to shooting the longer distances. provided of coarse theres
enough velocity to make it work.