Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 6.5-06 Twist rate

I'm looking at a 6.5-06 with a 9.5" twist rate. Is it correct that this twist is recommended for bullets up to 120gr? I'd like to shoot at least 140's. Ken

I shot a 6.5-284 in a 9.5 and it handled the 140's fine. Also shot a 6.5-06 with a 9 twist and it was equally good or better. Given the choice I'd do the 9 twist, but I think the 9.5 will get ya there.

Ken,

9" has been the US standard for the 6.5, and I used a 9" Shilen barrel on my 6.5-'06. I can shoot up to 160 gr RN, but not 165 gr semi-spitzer (it is the length of the bullet that matters).

The Euro standard is 7.87" (i.e. 200 mm), and you need that twist to shoot the really long and heavy 6.5mm bullets.

jim

I went with an 8.

Don't think you can have too much twist with a 6.5-06 , especially if you are looking at shooting heavier bullets. I have a couple of 1-8's that shoot 120's into small groups and would not make another with a slower twist.

As did I in my Ackley.

i have 3 6.5 - 06 rifles , 2 have hart 8 twist barrels and work very well, 140 partitions doing 3100 fps and 130 barnes tsx doing 3290 , and a mild load , so for what is worth

john

1-8",

Can't think of a single reason to run a 1-9"

+1

Kend

the 1-9.5" will probably struggle with the 140s. i had a 1-9" .264 Win that would shoot the 140s, but not the 142 SMK, leading me to believe that i was on the edge with 1-9"

if building from scratch, the 1-8" twist is the clear choice, but i've run 1-8", 1-8.5", and 1-9" .264s.

When I bought my Shilen 9" was what the had (it has been a few years). I don't know what bullets folks are not using in the 6.5-'06 by having a 9" twist?

The excellent is the enemy of the good...Confucious

jim

My 6.5-06 has a 1-9 twist and shoots 140 Berger VLD's extremely well out to 1000 yards, which is as far as I've ever shot it. Muzzle velocity is 2950.

What would be the "best" twist for shooting the Hornady 160gr round nose. I loaded these in my buddies 264 and they are one sexy bullet. They are the only reason I want to convert my 30/06 over to 6.5/06. I like the high s.d. and think they would be a good long range bullet.