Thinking of picking up a new production M700 Mountain rifle in 25-06 and leaving it that way for awhile til the 25-06 funs wears off, then rebarreling it to 6.5-06.

Once rebarrled, the intent is to run 100 to 125 grain Partitions and BTs, and the 129/130 grain accubonds. (for 140 grain bullets and up I will use my M700 in 280 Remington)

I am thinking a #1 contour, 1:9 twist, 24" barrel will keep the weight down, balance right, while giving some extra tube length for velocity. Which is what this experiment is all about - the most V i can get out of the 6.5-06 in a nicely balanced mountain configuration. Thoughts on the how to set this up right?

I'd either A) go with a Remington Sporter conter or if that don't float your boat, B) Go for a KS type contour, about .6 at the muzzle.

I'd also round file the 1-9" twist and go straight to a 1-8"

Beat me to it.

thanks, I was thinking something along the lines of the Lilja. .542 at the muzzle...

http://riflebarrels.com/wp-content/uploads/remmtn24.pdf

won't the 1:9 get me a little more V while keeping pressures down compared to a 1:8... and if I ain't shooting bullet weights over 130 isn't the 1:9 plenty fast?

1-8

Not in any measurable amount.

Maybe, but why shut the door on options? Berger likes 8" for their 130 grain bullets.

C)....if I was wanting to "run 100-125gr partitions" I'd just keep it as a 25/06 assuming it shoots to please as is. They're not as cool to talk about but 25's kill the chit outta chit.

Oh and forget all that crap about having too much twist espically if it's 1-8 vs 1-9.

OK, 1:8 it is. Any thoughts on the Lilja remmtn24 contour in a 24" tube?

Nosler load data between the 6.5-06 and the 25-06 gives the nod to the 6.5 by 150fps, particularly with 100 grain bullets. and this is all about speed in a mountain rifle.

I built mine with a #2 Douglas at 22" 8 twist. It really likes the 127LRX Barnes. It shoots the 140 AMAX ,129 SST and the 125 Partion all at Moa or under.



127 Lrx



How she looks got rid of the 2.5-8 and put a 6x36 on it.

Killed a Moose and A Wolf this fall with it. But a 25-06 would of done the same thing.

+1

I have a Remington sporter 24" 1-8" twist. I have had 9 twist barrels on a 6.5-06 and other 6.5s and would not hamstring myself that way again.

Light bullets shoot very well with no measurable velocity or accuracy loss.

An old campfire thread I found states that the KS contour is pretty much the Lilja Remmtn24...also the Pacnor #1...

I built a 6.5-06 Shilen select match barrel 8" twist in 2015 and shot a couple animals with 120 gr Nos Bal tips.

I built a 25-06 Shilen select match barrel 9" twist in 2016 and shot one animal with 115 gr Nos bal tip.

I like the 6.5-06 better.
Getting the 6.5-06 dies built by Forster and Lee is a hassle.
Necking down 30-06 brass to 6.5-06 is a hassle.
But it is worth the trouble to me.

Are you planning for long range? If not, you'll gain nothing over a 25-06 BTDT. My 24" 6.5-06 shoots 120NBTs at 3150. My last 24" 25-06 shot the 115NBT slightly faster. There was no difference in the field at normal ranges.

Sleek long bullets is a different subject, but from what you're planning on shooting, I don't see a benefit.

Now, the 6.5-06 is definitely cooler

The 147 ELD looks to be a bullet worth building something for. What velocities can one expect in the 6.5-06 vs the often jerked to 6.5CM?

Curious in the difference in velocity. Short action vs long action wise.

The 147 ELD and RL-26 in the 6.5-06 should put it in a different class than the short 6.5's.

If I could only find some 147 ELD's.

I have buddies who shoot 1K distances at Quantico with their 6.5 Creedmoors... My 6.5-06 is intended to be a hunting rifle, but going out with them and seeing what it can do on the 1K range is something I want to include. I will roll with whatever high BC hunting bullet keeps me in the hunt with them. (pun intended)

I am rethinking the hunting bullet... the 130 Scirocco (BC .571) or 129 accubond LR (BC .561), with a desired velocity around 3150 fps seems to make more sense if I am to distinguish this from a 25-06 or a 270.... best combo of velocity and BC for this cartridge I am thinking.... if i get into the 140 class bullets i will be giving up a couple hundred fps in velocity...

Litz has tested the 129 lrab at .553 and the 130 swift at .491. He has also tested the 129 interbond at .518. Just FYI.

thanks for that info

I've got a really nice Remington 700 that I had built on an XCR action with select match 1-8" barrel. Shoots unbelievable. Only 20 rounds fired. Would be interested in selling. PM if interested.

Seriously??

Wait a sec - you still need to ponder an 8.5 twist!

Have a Tikka T3 .260 with 1:8 twist shoots great, especially heavies.

Have a semi-custom .264 Win with 1:9 twist. Shoots everything up to 142 just fine.

I got a 3 groove 8" PAC NOR 6.5/06 ai, 140 vlds, run ww 25/06... works great

How about a 6.5-280 ackley?

Are they that good???

a 6.5-06 will push a 100 over 3500 fps, and a 260 will push the same bullet over 3300 fps, all else being equal. Dang, can't imagine needing that extra 200 fps with a 100 grain bullet...

I suppose the sweet spot for a 6.5 is the 120 grainer... and I suppose a 6.5-280 ackley might add 50 to 75 fps?