Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters John, will we ever see a commercial 6.5/06 loading?

Ain't notoriety a b!@#h?

IIRC, A-Square also had a 6.5-308, but Rem got it thru the SAAMI somehow before, wonder if they had to pay royalties.

If Hornady brings out a round, they do things right, twist, marketing, quality ammo at decent prices.

When Rem did the 260, they hamstrung it, 9 twist, marginal sub-par ammo in accuracy and speed, and not decent prices.

Had Hornady done the 6.5-308 they would have had an 8 twist, quality affordable ammo, and might have used a 25 or 30 degree shoulder......

3” actions would have solved a lot of issues, would be about perfect for .260, .257R, Swede, 6mm Rem to name a few. The 2.8” SA limited a number of good rounds. The Creed craze was birthed to serve SA’s using modern, long bullets.

DF

3" is a little short for the 6.5x55, one reason it's primarily a favorite among rifle loonies who "build" custom rifles.

Mine is on a commercial FN 98 action, with a pretty short-throated chamber and 3.35" magazine box, which leaves plenty of room for any bullet.

Might also mention that no, the 6.5x55 doesn't have anywhere near the powder capacity of the 6.5-06--around 16% less, depending on the throat, brass, etc. So its capable of about 100 fps less at the same pressures, with the same bullets.

But as I've pointed out elsewhere, most handloaders tend to be obsessed with adding another 100 fps (or more) of muzzle velocity. But with "standard" spitzer soft-points, that advantage diminishes rapidly out where the deer and antelope play. For some hunters, it makes more sense to add 100+ fps out where the bullet actually lands on 'em.

My FN 98, Swede with 23" Shilen in McWoody Edge. Great combo, action and round.

DF

Nice rifle!

My FN 6,5x55 Norwegian/Swede, with 21" Lilja and New Zealand walnut stock:

That’s nice.

Classic lines, well executed. What’s not to like.

DF

Funny that one of the oldest that does every bit most of the others in a proper action is considered not in demand. Twist is what you make it and I think manufactures are figuring out the current "desires". I see 10# short actioned rifles being quite popular.

The one thing that nobody has addressed thus far is the fact that most folks who have a 6.5/06 use .25/06 brass. The down side is that if one's .25/06 has a slightly oversize neck, then 6.5/06 ammo could potentually be chambered. IIRC, this was related to me by Ray Montgomery of Co.

For this reason, when I made mine, I specified mine being chambered to 6.5/64 Brenneke. (a.k.a. 6.5x.270) OK, so it's a silly millimeter longer... But at least it won't chamber in a .25/06

For that reason, I would doubt that the major arms makers will ever make a factory 6.5/06. BTW, they load fine in .65/06 dies... - G.H.

That's one of the reasons I'd do a 6.5-.270 if ever building another "6.5-06." The other is that I got better accuracy when necking .270 brass down than necking .25-06 up, because that avoids the small "donut" at the base of the neck, due to the thicker brass at the top of .25-06 shoulders becoming part of the 6.5-06 neck. But I doubt there's another 6.5-06 in my future, since my 6.5 PRC shoots so well, both with handloads and factory ammo.

Despite all the debate over various 6.5 cartridges today, there are real reasons for the popularity of newer 6.5 rounds. One is consistent chamber throats, which vary considerably in older rounds like the 6.5x55, even in modern rifles (which is why 6.5x55 factory ammo varies considerably). Which is why I had the custom 6.5x55 pictured above chambered with a slightly shorter throat than SAAMI standard.

Then there's the .260: Even some factory rifles have magazines that won't handle some "standard" hunting bullets seated to the lands. Which is why my .260 has a customized magazine 2.95 inches long.

Yeah, I know nobody on the Campfire admits to using factory ammo, but one reason for the 6.5 Creedmoor's popularity is excellent (and relatively inexpensive) factory ammo that can be purchased almost anywhere, including Wal-Marts and even the local ranch-supply store in my little Montana town. Or even South Africa. One of my African PH friends owns a big sporting goods store in Kimberley, and reports around 3/4 of the new rifles he sells these days are 6.5 Creedmoors. One of my American friends (a Campfire member) who hunts Africa every year reports the same thing from other store owners.

Which brings up problems with resuscitating the 6.5-06 a factory round. First, it's still primarily a wildcat, even with the A-Square adventure, and gunsmiths who build wildcats often have their own ideas about chamber-throat conformation, which would make producing factory ammo somewhat problematic. Two, with all the factory 6.5's already on the market, including some selling very well, why would any rifle manufacturer bother taking the risk?

Classic rifle, you should take it afield just to old times sake! It's a beauty!

It is beautiful for sure, I bet that rifle would like to go hunting!!!

John and Switch, thanks for those kind words.

It has always been somewhat of a step child, patiently waiting it's turn from the back of the safe.

You're right, it does deserve field time, maybe this Fall.

DF

That's a very nice looking rig, JB. What's that scope, iif I may ask?

That's a 2-7x Leupold Compact, one of the older VX models. Used it for a while, then realized that (per usual) I never turned it off 7x, so replaced it was an M8 6x33 Compact.

Yes,it is!

Thanks for the reply, JB! That's a nice scope.

I keep wondering when you are going to upgrade your jackrabbit arsenal, Ken-505 Gibbs maybe?

Now, today, is my first time to read any of this thread. It's raining here.... bored.

Gun doc on P 2 said,



and then HawkI said here on P 3




These summarize my position on Xtr Hi BCs, even at moderate velocities. Even when I hunted deer leases there were FEW places to get a decent shot past 400 yds. Yes, I saw deer at 500 & + yds but they were moving and there were bushes, saplings etc that precluded an UNobstructed target.

Since 2012 I hunt property where I could/can get an OPEN shot up to 400 yds.....SO, what advantage is it to me... and Gun Doc & Hawk hit the nail on the head about MANY of us hunters.

I like and appreciate the 6.5-06 but it doesn't fill any gap that I have.

Jerry

On to P 4

5's comment is merit worthy too.

Jerry