Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 25-06 vs 6.5-06 vs 280AI

Besides the obvious advantage in bullets with 6.5 and 7mm.... The ability to spot impacts of your shots is mostly about how you shoot the gun- your body position, rest, and then scope magnification. Seeing impacts is about straight line recoil. A neutral body position straight behind the gun, with the butt seated deep in the shoulder imparting no angular deviation during recoil. The way I learned, and pretty much how the whole shooting world learned to shoot rifles (angled body, twisted shoulders, butt stock high, etc) is horrible for straight line recoil.



Using moderate magnification of up to 10x, though often 6x, I spot nearly 100% of shots from around 100 yards on out with 6 and 7lb 223's and no brakes shooting heavy bullets. With sub 7lb 243's around 90% from 100yds and out. This continues all the way to 8lb 300 win mags with 180's where I start catching impacts from around 300 yards on out. The more recoil and/or the more magnification (smaller FOV) the further out one will start catching impacts. Having said that, obviously the less recoil the easier it is.

Smokepole he is using Remington and Winchester brass, and getting 6-7 loadings per.

Regards, Branden.

Thanks.

I shoot all three (except no silly AI on the .280) and the differences seem slim. Some guys here have noted the slightly better characteristics of the 6.5 and .284 bullets at best weights. These "mid" cartridges are really versatile - I really appreciate and take advantage of that. Give me any of those, a .22/250 and a .338 Win Mag and I'm ready for any game in the US or most other places.

25s can't go as high BC-wise because of the industry standard 1-in-10" twist vs 1-in-8.5-9 in 6.5mm.

I have a 257 AI (very near equal 25-06) & am building a 6.5-06 but just sold my 280 AI because at hunting ranges I can't tell the difference. You didn't mention ranges but beyond 400 I'd say BC becomes a factor. 600 it becomes more substantial, and 800 it makes all the difference.

I'd LOVE to shoot out a 25-06 I bet it'd be LOADS of FUN!!! Of course the smaller the hole the fewer the shots before shot out, but my 257 AI has >2500 rounds and is still going strong tho I've been chasing lands a little.

Personally I love the 25-06, but in this question there is no wrong answer tho I'd suggest the best one is "do all three"!!

Sweet buck tuff!! Congrats....

I have owned and shot 25-06 and 6.5-06 rifles and my son has a 280AI. All three cartridges work well, so I decided to keep my favorite 6.5-06 and shoot 123 Scenars in wind when needed due to the fact they shoot extremely well in this rifle....