Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Where does the 6.5/06 shine over the 30/06?

The last feedback I got on the 260AI was very informative; thanks all around.

I have NO feel for all things 6.5. Do the 6.5 BC's greatly exceed the 30's when comparing apples to almost apples?

I'm not sure how much shine it has over the .06 except to say it's a screamer! I'm having one built on an old Mauser action and expect it will shoot pretty darn flat. I don't intend to use max loads actually wanting to keep them in the 6.5X55 range for fun and barrel longevity, but the guy who is building it has turned out some pretty impressive long range groups with it. I'll check back with him for a few more particulars.

Dan

Same as comparing a .270 to an '06. It shoots flatter, is less sensitive to the wind, recoils less (which means the shooter can shoot it more accurately), and you'll probably never know the difference inside of 350 or 400 yards.

Oh, yes. the '06 hits a lot harder.

Owning one, the only thing I can think of is in the velocity department. 'Course, if you put a 120 - 140 gr boolet in a '06 you could probably equal the 6.5. Probably not in accuracy, though.

I don't think anything outshines the 30-06 but then I would say the same about a number of other cartridges also. My 6.5x06 is fun to shoot and like a multitude of other cartridges works very well when it's worked well! If there is an up side to the 6.5x06 it's tha its more plesant to shoot so you shoot more. You shoot more, and you shoot better! Mine has appeal to me because its the only one around here. This year it's my backup rifle, I'm using my 6.5x55.

Funny thing, I have owned three 30-06's, have one now, and have never shot the first animal with one, not even a varmit! I'd prefer the 308 and have killed a lot of animals with two of them.

This is not an apples to apples comparision. The 6.5-06 is very similar to the 270 win. The 30-06 is in an entirely different class with its ability to shoot 180 gr or heavier bullets. Both good but very different. I had a 6.5-06 and it was very accurate, and fast, but I have long lost interest in any 6.5 since the 270 can do the same and more (ok, maybe not more 'cause both can be loaded with 160 gr bullets) but too similar to be worth the trouble. I am still holding out for a 270-308 (the 7mm-08 is fine but I like the American born .277 cal).

A 6.5 Aught is infinitely cooler than a 30-06.

Not better for the majority of big game hunting under 300 yards... and way worse if you are out of ammo and away from your bench, since you must handload the darn thing.

However, it makes much more sense as a dual purpose varmiter/big game round and could excel for those of you that like to shoot things WAYYYYYYYY out there.

FWIW ... If you have to go wildcat and load 6.5 Aughts, you may as well Ackley it as well. Kick it up another notch of cool - may not kill anybetter but the cases will look nice and (the real value) they will be distinguishable from the cartridges from the 25-06 that it inevitably replaced in your battery.

Assuming getting another gun involves replacing ANYTHING (other than money, brownie points at home, empty space in the safe, empty space where the second safe goes ...)

"A 6.5 Aught is infinitely cooler than a 30-06" - well maybe, but I say skip the 6.5s and get a 270 win., that's what I did after trying the 260 rem, 6.5x55, 6.5-06 and 264 win mag. If you just want something different, the 6.5 will do the trick. if you want something that will do the job, the 25-06 or 270 are solid choices. one thing I never liked about the 6.5-06 is that the brass always said 25-06. After messing with Improved and wildcat cartridges for a few years, I lost all interest. However, I do understand some have to go down that road themselves so have fun!

"If you have to think about being cool you aren't."

Finding something "cool" about a cartridge, simply does not equate to someone "thinking" they are cool. My interest in the 6.5/06 stems from a poster on another forum who has found it to be exceptionally, even amazingly accurate in his homebuilt Mauser. Now, if it turns out to be true...that's "Cool."

Dan

DC, my 6.5-06 was a model 70 with a 24" shilen barrel and it was VERY accurate. I think the cartridge has a propensity for accuracy.

Thanks one and all for the replies.

Hey Dixie
I have a 6.5-06 built on a Browning F.N. action. It will shoot ragged holes with sierras 85 gn up to 140's . It amazes me.
Even used an A&B $79.00 barrell.Never owned a rifle that shoots such a wide variety of weights so well
Dan