.260 or 6.5-06?

M

model14

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I have a new Bartlein 6.5 blank on its way, to be installed on my "sows ear" Rem 700 LA action (currently chambered in a 30-06 ADL with modified synthetic stock, and shooting very nicely). The 6.5 choice comes from the high BC bullets available for this bore size and some reduction in recoil due to less bullet weight. I see the 6.5-06 (30-06 case) as capable of 200-300 fps more velocity than the 308 case with the heavier bullets (140 grn). My current 30-06 load of 57 grains of H4350 pushing a 185 Berger VLD at 2800 fps, is a full case load, significantly more than you can get from a .308 case with this bullet, and is a sub MOA load. Would not the same conditions apply in shooting the 6.5-06 versus the 6.5-308 (.260)? Would I not be better off "bucking the wind" with the 140 grn 6.5 traveling faster from the 6.5-06 than the .260? I already have the long action. I shoot a lot and I can't afford barrel changes every year, so I am staying away from the 6.5-284. I know the .260 is getting quite popular for 600 yard shooting. Wouldn't the 6.5-06 do even better?
 
wrestling with the same dilemma... Going 6.5 X 55X40 degree imp....cuz its too hard to find parts for a 30 degree imp.
 
If you look closely, I think you’ll find the 6.5-284 and 6.5-06 Akley have the same (or close) loads. They’ll both burn barrels….

I’d look at a smaller case and longer barrel and give up a few FPS

John
 
Did you know about the wildcatted 6.5x55 AI? still good on barrels gives just a little more horse power if you want to shoot at a thousand yards. By the way my current 6.5-06, lets just say that you sure as heck know about it when you pull the trigger. The 6.5x55mm is a truly great ctg, and is all you could ever want or need for 600 yards.:D
 
according to the Hodgdon chart:

260 Rem. with 140 gr. bullets gets up to 2686 fps = maximum load.

6.5-284 with 140 grain bullets gets up to 2895 fps. = maximum load.

6.5-06 with 140 grain bullets gets up to 2848 fps = maximum load.

7 WSM with 140 grain bullets gets up to 3161 fps. = maximum load.

The 7mm has many more bullet choices doesn't it? Oops, Berger has 5 Match bullets in 6.5mm and 3 in 7mm.

But the 7mm 180 Grain Berger Match Target VLD has a much higher BC of 659.

The Berger 6mm 115 Grain Match Target VLD has a BC of 545.

The Berger 6.5mm 140 Grain Match Target VLD has a BC of 612.

gt40

Just happened to look these up yesterday because I want to decide on a long range hunting rifle for prong horns and mule deer and maybe target shoot some at 1000 yds.
 
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Have shot both...

I had a Remington M7 in .260 and it was a jewel. It would put three shots touching at 100 yards with boring regularity. This with 140 grain bullets. 160 grain bullets would not stabilize and went through the target tipped. However, they were still touching. A very sweet gun to shoot as well. Alas, I traded it for something.

I still have a custom 6.5-06 built on a 1909 Argentine Mauser action and, while it shoots well, it is a one inch gun at best. Nothing wrong with that though. I have a Douglas Premium bbl on it with a Timney trigger.

For 600 yards and 140 grain bullets I think I would opt for the .260. JMHO...
 
holland gunsmithing

advertises a 6.5-280AI. that would have little more case capacity than a 6.5-06 for a hunting round. i believe this is Chub Eastmans favorite hunting cartridge. one could use reddings competition dies for the 280Ai with a 6.5 sized bushing. just food for thought.
Fred
 
6.5mm's

260 is a fine 2780/2800 fps cartridge with 140/142 gr. 6.5-06 is a fine 3000 fps cartridge with the same bullets. 260 gets you 2000/2500 rounds of barrel life, 6.5-06 around 1200/1300.
 
6.5x55 Swede

With a match chamber NOT military--the throat will be too long. Use Lapua brass. Perfect for a long action. More umph than the 260. Doesn't burn barrels like the 6.5/06. Make sure the smith fits the extactor properly.
 
Like several other shooters on this thread, I like the 6.5x55. I looked long & hard at the numbers while trying to make a decision on which 6.5 cartridge to go with while waiting on a 30" Krieger 1:8 tw. std Palma blank to arrive. Compared the 6.5x284, 6.5x55 & Ackley Imp, and 260 Rem/6.5-08, and finally bought a 6.5x55 reamer. I shoot more 600yd. prone than 1000, but didn't want to feel undergunned when the chance to shoot 1000 came along.

Read & heard too many stories about short bbl. life in 6.5x284s, and wasn't comfortable with the 260's case capacity. The 6.5x55AI's capacity seemed so close to the 6.5x284's - and had to be fireformed to boot - that the std. 6.5x55 seemed to come closer to meeting my requirements.

Years of experience with the 6.5x55 in a Nesika prone rifle have confirmed the impressions made during the evaluation process. The Swede will easily push 139s or 142s to 2900+fps out of my 30" bbl. with fine accuracy. You're on your own when it comes to working up loads in a modern custom or commercial action, as published loading data is very conservative due to the thousands of old surplus Mausers imported into the U.S. over the past 50+yrs. I've settled on N160, as it gives a fine combination of accuracy & velocity.

I've always been curious about the 6.5x55AI, and eventually - after purchasing a lathe to do my own barrel work - I ordered a reamer from Dave Kiff and used it on a Bartlein 1:8.5 tw in heavy Palma contour fitted to a BAT 3LL action. Load development to date shows a gain of only 50-60fps over the std. 6.5x55, but at least I won't be trimming cases every other firing like I do with the std. case.
 
From what I hear, you might end up kicking yourself in the a** if you don't consider the relatively new Lapua 6.5 x 47. Link to BR.com writeup

From what I'm told it outperforms the 260 and 6.5 x 08 on less powder.
 
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