6.5/06 or 6.5/284?

[remingtonman_25_06]

Say a guy already has a pretty decent model 70 CRF in a 25/06 and wants to rebarrel it to either of these two in the very near future.

Is there any real practical difference to go one way or the other? Trying to keep things simple, reliable, and performance wise for basically a coyote/long range target rifle, and maybe occasional big game such as deer, spike elk, and black bear. Main bullet of choice will be 140g AMAX, followed by 140g AB for elk and bear. A 26" Bartlein #3 contour, 8 twist will be the barrel of choice.

I cant really decide between either of them myself. They seem to be almost identical performance wise anyway.

 

[rmarshall]

6.5-06 since you can use your 25-06 brass or 270 win brass, next up or down. Always thought the 6.5-06 would be awesome! Just my thought for what's it's worth.

 

[Vince]

6.5-06 since you can use your 25-06 brass or 270 win brass, next up or down. Always thought the 6.5-06 would be awesome! Just my thought for what's it's worth.

I agree.

If starting from scratch I'd look hard at the 6.5 x 284 Norma but since you already have a 25-06 that needs a new barrel this is what I'd do.

Vince

 

[FOTIS]

KISS method 6.5-06

 

[IdahoCTD]

6.5-06 AI. More of a good thing and it will virtually eliminate trimming. Personally I hate trimming and knowing that the brass came from somewhere you didn't want it to come from. Case separation sucks. I would guess you'd be in the 3050-3100fps range with 140's.

 

[.300winmag]

Alright, I'll be the Black Sheep. I would choose 6.5-284 over the 6.5-06. This does not come down to brass, as Lapua produces 6.5-2d84 Brass as well as .30-06 Brass (which you can neck down), so brass isn't the issue. My decision is based in competition. I have not seen a 6.5-06 win at any level (I'm sure it can however). The 6.5-284 has dominated LR competition and there is a plethora of load data to sort through for every bullet imaginable. I don't really care for a long load development process, it wastes barrel life, thus, I would go with a 6.5-284.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Brass was one of the concerns, well not concern but I kmow it is easy as running a 25/06 case thru a 6.5/06 sizer..however I wont be using my 25/06 brass I have now because its all been fired already. Not fond of using other brass shot in another chamber. So I would be buying some new win brass more then likely.

For the 6.5/284 you have lapua brass ready to go on the other hand although expensive is very good brass.

Feeding was another question I had. How would the 6.5/284 feed since it was an 06' base case to begin with.

The 6.5/06 AI may get another look but I dont want to neck down brass and/or fireform really for this rifle. Less time at the bench the better anymore.

3000fps with 140s is where id like to be comfortably/accuracy wise.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

For the same performance...shorter is better...in my opinion.

 

[ajvigs]

Any consideration into a straight 284 winchester on that long action?

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Any consideration into a straight 284 winchester on that long action?

Or that...good suggestion!

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

None for the straight 284...primary use will be coyotes/long range steel

I already have a 7-300 win mag

 

[Elkman]

I have always thought that if I were to own a rifle in this performance range it would either be the .264 WM or the 6.5/06. Given your parameters I would go with the 6.6/06, as someone else said KISS. Thats my motto.

 

[DrMike]

I like either. Because properly head-stamped brass is available from Norma, I lean toward the 6.5-.284.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Why not punch her out to a 6.5-280AI that will eliminate all doubts on brass since it's unique and it's the best of both worlds.

 

[IdahoCTD]

The 06 cases will feed better hands down. A standard 6.5-06 vs. a 6.5-284 then I'd go 6.5-284 for the sharper shoulder angle and the proven accuracy. If I wasn't building a hotrod I'd do a 6.5x47 lapua and shoot 123-130gr bullets 3000fps with much better barrel life.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Can one do a 6.5x47 lapua off the 06' boltface and long action?

123g amax isnt a bad choice either. Again just a dog and steel rifle really so not a lot of punch is needed. But I would still like to play around out to 1200 or so.

 

[usmc 89]

Bolt face will work, I think there may be a feeding issue if your intent is a repeater.

 

[Dwh7271]

6.5-06 all the way but I again have a bias as I'm building one on a Savage right now.
First, it's cool. Talking to 6.5-06 guys is like entering a cult. :lol:
Second, 25-06 brass fairly cheap. (Love Lapua but man, it's precious stuff) If I lose a piece of 25-06 brass, no big deal.....I lose Lapua I'm crawling on the ground to find it (and I have bad knees so crawling hurts! :grin: )
Ballistically they are basically twins, so no edge either way.
Accuracy wise, I have to yield to the proof in matches for the 6.5-284, but we may only be talking a very small difference at best. Besides, you're busting coyotes with it not shooting match.
Did I mention I think they're cool?
Or......you could really build a laser and make it a 6-06??? Not an elk or bear type gun but the fun factor would be high. You could electrocute coyotes with that.

 

[BK]

If I were building, I'd go 6.5-06, though thoughts of the Savage LRH 6.5-284 have rattled around my brain in the past...

 

[6mm Remington]

For me personally I'd go with the 6.5/06 myself. I think it would be a great cartridge and should prove to be very accurate as well. Heck anything built on the 30-06 case seems to just be fantastic!!