It has been awhile since I owned a 6.5 and I shoot a .25-06 a fair bit these days. I think either, as a hunting rifle, will do the job expertly and without any problems. My 6.5 was a modified WWII Swede and very accurate with the old Weaver 4x I put on it. I shot 120 gr. bullets but back then I didn't have, and knew no one who had, a chronograph. They both kill Whitetails and Antelope with authority. Out to as far as I can hit anything at least.
There is an intangible romance about the 6.5. that the .25-06 doesn't seem to have. I don't dwell on it much but some cartridges have this "aura" about them for some reason. The 7x57 and the 6.5x55 are two that come to mind. In equal rifles with equal bullet weights I think some folks would be happier with a 6.5 for no other reason than it is a 6.5.
