Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles SO, I have a choice between the 6.5X55 and the 25-06 Remington

I have matching Tikka T3s one blue in 6.5X55, the other stainless in 25-06.

Which would you keep for your deer killer?

I have some dies and Lapua brass for the 6.5, lots of 06 brass to make 25-06. I'm swimming in 6.5 bullets for momma's 260, and have 400-odd Hornady 100 grain spire-points I got from Midway as factory seconds, plus Barnes TSX in both calibers.

Merits or demerits on both?

I really can only keep one of the Tikkas. I'm also selling my 25-06 Stainless Ruger with 24" douglas barrel (tack driver).

Iraq led me to buying a Harley, and the Harley has me looking for ways to pay it off sooner than later.

I was going to say, keep both.. Then I read the rest..

What a dilemma.. Toss a coin??

I'd be tempted to keep the Swede, but it's a 51-49 call..

Since you did not mention accuracy (and because I have yet to see an inaccurate Tikka T3), I will assume both rifles shoot more than well enough for that to not be a consideration.

Well, since settling in Sweden I have seen a couple of tons (literally) of moose laid low with the 6.5 x 55 and I have developed quite a high opinion of that calibre.

Also, there are some excellent bullets available in 6.5mm, and since you already have 2 of them, I would give the nod to the 6.5 just to streamline your bullet inventory a bit.

Also, while a .25-06 is a fine deer killer, I would have to say that the 6.5 x 55 is a better elk & moose killer, so I would keep that one just for that little extra versatility compared to the .25-06

While I know that one does not need stainless metal to go outside (as some seem to think!), the one reason I would keep the stainless .25-06 would be if you were returning to live in Alaska or the like where rust is a really big problem.

John

6.5x55 but I have never liked the 25-06 much

I have had in the past rifles chambered in 25-06 but do not at this time. I do have two rifles chambered in 6.5x55. For me the 6.5x55 does all that the 25-05 will do and a little more. The long 140gr bullets at modest velocity will penetrate quite well. Your choice is probably a toss-up, but I would lean to the 6.5.

David - both are good rounds but since I have both I'll offer you my $.02 worth:
6.5mm Swede - used in a CZ550FS (because I've always wanted one) and the caliber is 'uber kool' in the FS. Its companion piece is a 7mm-08 Savage because I can find that round in most gunshops etc. Both good for the smallish SoFl. deer and hogs due to heavier bullet weight over .243 Win or 6mm Rem.
.25/06 purchased as a lower cost companion to my .257 'Roy' - both to be used on antelope/mule deer. Same reason as above - can usually find .25/06 ammo locally. Homesteader.

6.5x55 all day every day. It's more flexible and you can streamline bullet inventory. It's a no brainer really...

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm a slut for anything 6.5mm

Is that "Homesteader" as is stationed at Homestead?

Keep the 6.5x55. No contest.

6.5. It is everything the 25-06 is and can then step up to be considerably more. Bullets from 100 to 160 gr. and you're already set up for it. It will kill big things very effectively. I've had both (several of each) and still have the 6.5s. The 6.5x55 is simply a great cartridge.

I am completed biased towards the 6.5x55. But that's because it's what I hunt with, not anything against the 25-06 (never used one). If it were me, I'd either sell both Tikkas and keep the tackdriving Ruger 25-06 with the Douglas barrel or keep the Tikka in 6.5x55. Why?

Lapua Brass
Sharing components with the .260 Rem
Easy on the shoulder and on the barrel
Awesome sectional density and deep penetration with non-premium bullets
Classy old military caliber

But, I am biased.

Anything in 6.5 is worth keeping IMO.

Wow -- more agreement here than I have come to expect in general at the 'Fire!

John

Bought a .25-06 in the early 70's, bought a 6.5x55 about four years ago. Over the past four years, I have shot the .25-06 twice. My choice would be the 6.5. If you decide to go that way, i would like to talk to you about the 100 grain Hornady's for the .25 though.

25-06

6.5
why?
I had one and miss it.
great shooter
BTW T3 2

I'd trade into a 308 win ...... Honestly, I'd keep the Sweede

Keep the 25-06 and shoot me a pm when you are ready to sell the Swede.

I call seconds.

what one will do, the other will, too...

i'd go with whatever i would find the easiest to feed... as in easy to find brass and bllets...
figure available factory loads if you think that you might ever use them...

the 25-06 scores better in the convenience dept by my lights...
no doubt though that the 6.5 will shoot heavier bullets, but with a 100 TSX the .25 dog will flat hunt...