Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 6.5x06

I bought my first "pre 64" Model 70 awhile back. Got it from a gunshop in WY on Gunbroker. Its a 1952 originally a 257 Roberts someone reamed out to the Ackley Improved. It had a set of high scope mounts on it, so figured I was taking a chance on some varmint hunters burnout. The price was fair, especially considering how great the metal and the factory stock shape is. Sure enough, when I had my gunsmith borescope it, its fried. So...I am having him rebarrel it with a Shilen SS in 6.5/06 with a 8" twist. Anyone used this chambering for a combination mule deer/elk rifle ( I don't shoot at game past a self limit 375, prefer 200 and under.)

Buy some RL26 and 270 win brass. Resize with false shoulder, trim to length, and rock on. I love 140 Bergers for game, but at those close ranges, 160 Woodleighs shot great in mine and I'd probably just use those. I used H1000 at the time on the 160s but thinking RL26 would perk them along just fine. My favorite rig is chambered in 6.5-06.

I think that sounds like a great rifle Jim. I can't imagine you'll be disappointed in the least bit.

Sounds great! A Shilen #2 at 24" would do nicely. At those ranges and game, I'd hunt the 120 TTSX moving fast and call it a day

Thanks guys...I went with a #3 just because I wanted a sporter weight, a little easier for me to hold still, ha. I have a real lwt little M77 SS in 338 Federal for a mountain rifle if I get tired packing Jack O'Conner's rifle around. I know it aint no 270, but I have a nice, accurate Belgium made BAR 270. As some may have read in my other posts, I used a short action Mod 700 in 6,5/284 for a few years, and with only the 120 and 125 Noslers. It was death on antelope and some nice exotics, up to axis and fallow.

I like the idea of the 100-120TTSX but admittedly never used any heavier bullet in a 6.5 anything. The heaviest was a Hornady 129sp in the donor 260 Rem I had reamed out to the 6.5/284, which I felt was a slow killer on axis and mouflon. I went with the 8" twist at several friends suggestions, so I will "have to try" out some of those long 140s. Which 140 ( besides the Partition and TSX/TTSX, etc) is a good combo for deer/elk? I like the looks of the Hammer bullet, but have always been leery of any Amax, SMKs and some Bergers. What is anyone's opinion?

I use 100gr ttsx in my 6.5x06 at 3300fps. The faster the better. Deadly on deer.

Taking a rifle to a gunsmith and asking if he thinks the barrel is shot out is like taking a car to a mechanic and asking if he thinks anything needs fixing.

Nothing against the 6.5-06, that's just the first place my pessimistic mind went. I'd have at least tested it out before scrapping the original barrel.

I hear ya...except this smith is an old trusted friend of over 24 yrs. The throat was eroded out at least a 1/2 inch and the bore had the "alligator hide" squares cooked into it. Bullet jacket shredders...I really like the 247 Roberts AI but its no big loss.

Sounds nice. Lots of other possibilities would do as well for the use you describe and more easily, but what fun is there in that?

The Hodgdon annual used to have data; might still.

Jim, I have a good bit of past experience with the 6.5x06 and based on that I can assure you that it's a fine round for what you want it for. Mine was actually a 6.5x270, which made necking down cases simple. It's something you might consider if it's not too late. I used a lot of IMR 7828 and R22.with bullets in the 120-140gr range. If I still had it I'd try some R26 and maybe H1000. I could count on 2900fps or so with most 140's and almost 3100 with the 120's out of a 24" Douglas. Mine was 9 twist, but today I think I'd go with an 8 twist as you are doing. Good Luck.

A 6.5/270 would just be the same thing but with a neck length of the .270, correct? If one is using a 6.5/06 reamer, ain't I stuck with that neck length? Could I still use 25-06 brass necked up and have good accuracy with the longer neck?

Yes, neck length is the only difference. I'm no gun smith, but all your smith needs to do is lengthen the neck. Ask him. Yes, you could still neck up 25.06 brass and use in it in the 6.5x06 chamber if you wanted to for some reason.

Why not have the barrel just rebored so that you keep the original profile?

Its no biggy for me. Even though I have a lot of 270 brass, I'll probably just neck up 25-06 brass to keep it separate from my BAR 270 ammo. It wouldn't do to switch those two up, ha. All I have to do with a 25-06 case is load a 6.5 boattail bullet in it over a workup load. Presto! Ha

Congrats Jim , I want to suggest using 30-06 lapua brass for your 6.5-06, trust me I've built a dozen of them , the 06 lapua brass will size for a small amount of trimming and will last a long time , I have 300 Ct. w-w 270 cases that I sized and don't like trimming them , I shoot a 6.5 -06 that I have 12+. Loads in, (Lapua). I push them and still have tight primer pockets, the W-W went south after4 loading 100 will last a long time , save 50 for hunting and shoot the others for load development and practice. Your 8" twist will shoot heavies , I'm having excellent luck with 140 partitions , 140 Berger hunting , 140 accubomb But 143 ELDX's are really something out to 1000. For your preference of short range use 140 partitions and let us know how your hunting goes!

Not a Pre 64 but other than that sounds like my 6.5-06 also an 8 twist Shilen. I also like IMR 7828 in this cartridge with 140's



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I'm jealous! Without a doubt, I'd be cutting the chamber to .256 Newton, loading 140 gr partitions with IMR 4350 kicking back while killing things wondering why what everyone else is talking about. Not that I'm partial or anything. 😎

I've been happy with my pre64 6.5-06's performance on Coues deer and 1 big elk so far. Using the lighter 123 Amax and 127 grain LRX bullets. I've thought about using 30-06 Lapua brass and the above posts have convinced me to give it a try. What has the outside neck diameter ended up at with the necked down Lapua brass?

I'm moving all weekend but will try to send info on the necks , I do turn but haven't needed to on the lapua brass.