Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 6.5-06 vs 25-06 - Looks to me like the 6.5 has all the advantages

I just spent an evening evaluating if I should buy a LNIB Ruger 77R tang safety 257 Bob from the Hole In The Wall (the local used gun emporium).

I spent the time comparing the bob to the 260 Remmy. It appears that the 260 diameter has nearly three times the selection in bullet weights for big game as the 257.

This got me on to looking at the 25-06 vs the 6.5-06. for similar weights, the 6.5 has the advantage, and as noted, more bullets to choose from.

Now, I'm thinking a 6.5-06 or the same in AI might be THE western low-recoil do-it-all. Maybe the 6.5-284.

Who would I get to build one of these on a Remmy action?

I can relate to this quandry. I like 6.5's and especially the 6.5-06 (in whatever configuration). The .257 is darn close to .264. I thought a 25-06 might be a decent factory available compromise. However, in .257, the bullets range from maybe 60 grains (flatpoint 25-20) to 120. In 6.5 they range from Siera's 85 grainer to 160.

When I looked into the 6.5-06 I was a bit surprised at the different case configurations. Overseas I think they have a variant called the 6.5x64 Brenneke.

I think the 6.5-06 is an outstanding round, a few hundred fps shy of the .264 with less powder.

Good luck!

Regards

TM

I've got an article somewhere that specified the case length on a 6.5x64 Brenneke to be approximately the same as a .270. The 6.5-06 would be around 2.494"+- depending on the reamer. If I find the article, I'll post the dimensions.

It would be either configuration in 6.5 for me--1-8 twist in case I wanted to shoot the "heavies".

David,

One of the FEW things you didn't see when you guys were here was my new 6.5-'06 Ackley.

It's a M-700 stainless BDL/bushed bolt/Krieger/gray-and white McSwirly Classic built by Gordy Gritters (of 1000-yard winning fame).

Very cool and basically stacks 'em in one hole. What I like most about it is the barrel's ability to shoot just about any bullet and powder charge to the same point-of-impact at 100 yards.

Next time, my friend, you can foldle the 6.5-06 Ackley. Wear your bib, 'cause I don't want Dave-slobber on the rifle. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Steve

Steve,

How does one reach Gordy?

I think I want to start with a rebarrel of one of my Remingtons in a TI stock.

Gordy Gritters
Gordy's Gun Shop, Inc.
1648 Cordova Ace.
Pella, Iowa 50219

Phone: (641) 628-3044

Be sure to tell Gordy that you are a buddy of mine. He is just a super-excellent accuracy gunsmith and a fine, fine man. You'll truly enjoy the relationship.

By the way, Gordy Guns are to be cherished and I am fortunate enough to have a pair. My 6.5-'06 Ackley is precisely matched to my .22-250 Ackley. Gorgeous, just gorgeous.

Steve

I did the whole 6.5 thing, including the 260, 6.5x55, 6.5-06 and 264 wm. When I finished with the experimenting, I concluded that it is just another 270, not a bad thing. Might as well go with the 270. I enjoy hunting with both the 25-06 and 270 so see no need for the 6.5s but were not speaking of needs here so have fun <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Of course you could just as easily and accurately concluded that if you have a good 6.5, you see no need for a 270 or 25-06 and got rid of those rifles! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Purely how ones bias sways them.

Just for fun, I'll give you a difference for a couple of the cartridges you mentioned: the 270 and the 25-06 cannot be chambered in a short action. Many probably could care less; but the short action is a little lighter, a little better balanced, probably a little quicker pointing, and many (including me) prefer it.......everything else being equal. At least it's more reasoning than you gave..........and who wants to give up experimenting?

The Ruger in 257 Bob is a long action, so the point is mute.

Actually, I was addressing 257Bob's point in his last post........and my points (very nitpicky points) were just as valid as his and were not mute.

Just having a little fun since 257Bob states, "..........so see no need for the 6.5s........"

257Bob is right........and he could have given up the 25 and 27 calibers and went with 26 cal just as easily and never known the difference. Since he could see no need for the 6.5s, I gave him a "reason".

Actually, I think it pretty comical we engage in a hobby where we quibble and debate the virtues of 100th's of an inch this way or that!

Uber geeks - one and all! Ha, ha! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

HogWild has a point, I could have kept the 6.5x55 and not had to spend the $ on the 25-06 and 270 but what would be the fun in that? I believe you can chamber a 6.5x55 in a win short action, my 7x57 was just that sort of set up. after all of the debate over what cartridge is best to kill a deer, I consider the 7x57 and can not imagine anything more effective, day in and day out. 100 years later, we have not really made any significant improvements. same could be said re the bolt action rifle re its grandfather, the 98 mauser. since I sold my 7x57, I will load my 270 with 150 gr bullets to replicate the 7x57 loads. granted, my hunting has evolved to shooting deer and less than 200 yards for the most part. I read mule deers piece on the 264 win mag and I believe it is doomed. performance is no doubt greater than the 270 win but with the 270 wsm and 7 mm rem mag, I do not see the 264 having any market appeal to the masses.

Do not speak so hastily of the demise of our beloved 264. She is likened unto the phoenix, to be resurected from the ashes.

History shows us that every once in a while, one of the major manufacturers comes back and produces another batch of rifles for us, the acolytes of the 264.
I believe that when this short mag hysteria is all said and done, USRA will see their actions for the sins they are, and will once again give us a 264.

And, heck if I am wrong, we will just keep on rebarreling those crummy 7 mags. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

If you have a 6.5-06, you don't need a .25-06 or a 270 win. It replaces both! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Or a .264 Win Mag! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have 2 6.5x64 Brenneke's and a 6.5-06 AND a 6.5 Rem Mag

And not only that, I'm planning 6.5 Shamu. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />...the9.3Guy

Can a reasonable person have too many 6.5s? Mmmmm, nope, there's never enough. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Steve

Buy one of each, then you can enter into an argument with any of them.....LOL.

The trouble with the .264 WM is it already exists. The 6.5 craze has everyone squeezing the last drop of powder they can get into smaller cases in order to reach .264 WM velocities. If we were just inventing the .264 now, it would be the best thing since sliced bread.

6.5WSM and 6.5/284
Both do a fantastic job that they were intended for, asnd both will double duty to the other side once in a while!
catnthehat