Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 6.5-06 powders

A hunting buddy of mine is having a 6.5-06 put together. Curious as to what powders should we have on hand for when this build is completed? Plan is to shoot 147s with a barrel length of 24”.

Hodgdon's online data brackets that weight with info for 143 and 150 grain bullets. That should give you an idea.

RL-17 gives the best speed with good accuracy in my 6.5-284, a ballistic clone. Vv 165 gave the best accuracy, but topped out at 2,950 fps. It also had hard accuracy nodes, whereas RL-17 doesn't seem to. So n-165 at a node was the most accurate, but RL-17 was plenty accurate and gave solid 3K fps with 140 VLD's. They say RL-17 is hard on barrels and these guns have a rep as barrel burners. But, not as bad as the 26 Nosler, and I have one of those.

DF

RL-22 is about as good as it gets for that application.

We both are well stocked in RL17. Anyone have experience with RL 26 in said application?

I've heard good things about RL-26 in the 6.5-284 (6.5-06), just haven't tried it yet. And, I have a big jug.

If RL-22 works, I'd go with RL-23, about the same burn rate with better temp properties. I'm not getting any more RL-22, using what I have and replacing with RL-23.

I have a big jug of MRP, which is reportedly a more refined version of RL-22. But it's reportedly not as temp stable as RL-23.

All I know, RL-17 gives great velocities with good accuracy in my 6.5-284 and is my current go to powder. That could change if and when I get around to trying RL-26. Too many Loony projects ongoing right now...

DF

H-1000 has been my go-to with 140's, very accurate and good velocity. Mule Deer gave me that load, 56 grains IIRC, with 140 Bergers.

Never tried RL17. My order of preference would be RL26, H1000 and RL22 in the 6.5-06. 140 Bergers killed a lot of stuff for me in that rig.

140 Hunting VLD is the bullet I use in my 6.5-284. It does kill'em quick...

I'd like to try RL-26, just haven't taken the time.

As noted earlier, I'm phasing out RL-22, replacing it with RL-23 and I do use MRP.

DF

What's the speed with that load?

DF

I use IMR-4350 with the Barnes 120gr TSX for 3277fps from the 24" bbl of my 6.5-06.1/8 twist. Has been out standing, successfully taking elk with complete penetration. Easily handles my 522 rd range.

I know two guys who shoot that one and get 2,950. I get 3050 in my AI version, but that's with 60 grains.

Seems a lot of loads top out at around 2,950 fps with 140's in the 6.5-284. That works, but a Loony likes to see 3K fps on the chrono...

48 gr. RL-17 gives a solid 3K fps with 140 VLD's and with good accuracy out of my 26" Krieger barrel.

One of these day, I'll get around to working with 139 Scenar, 140, 143 and 147 ELD bullets with other powders, just to see. May even check out the 120 E-Tip and 120 TTSX that I use in the 26 Nosler. Never tried them in the 6.5-284,

DF

I like RL26 and 143 gr ELD-x’s.....3000fps and shoots 1/2”

I would try the Alliant line up of R16, R23, & R26 depending on bullet weight. These have done well in the 25-06, 270, & 280 AI so should be good in the 6.5-06. I would bet that R23 will work for the full range of bullets so would probably start there. R26 will give the fastest speeds especially with the heavier bullets so would be first choice for 130+ grain bullets.

Appreciate the insight gentleman.