6.5-06 or 308 for build?

hansol

hansol

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Hey guys,

I don't have too much experience with long range stuff, so figured I'd drop this here and get some opinions:

I'm looking at doing up a custom "long range" rig that will make for some fun paper-punching/coyote wacking. I'll be using my 25-06 Savage/Stevens long action for a donor action, ordering up a barrel from Jerry, and using a Bell and Carlson "medalist" stock as the basis for the build. I know, nothing flashy, but it's something I can afford. So with that in mind, I'm looking for opinions on whether I should build a 308 or a 6.5-06.

I like the 308 because there is LOADS of info on it. I can get cheap ammo, it's a proven and well-liked cartridge. There are lots and lots of reloading components for it, and all that stuff. To me it seems like the "quintessential" long range cartridge, the one that everything else is compared against.

That being said, I have heard great things about the 6.5 caliber too, although most of what I know is based on the 6.5x55 Swede caliber. And because the action I'll be using is a long action, I'd be able to run the bigger cartridge no problem. I'm a reloader, so running a wildcat rig isn't an issue. I already have a pile of 25-06 brass laying around, so that's why I'm sticking with the -06 parent case rather than a 284 or other caliber.

Where I run into trouble is with reloading costs/long range ballistics. How does the 6.5 compare to the 308? Is the 6.5-06 an "inherently accurate" cartridge? (I've heard the 30-06 isn't, compared to the 308). How much are 6.5 bullets compared to the more common 308 bullets? What is the barrel life comparison between the two? I know a 308 can go 10,000ish, so I'll assume a 6.5-06 will be less due to the increased amount of powder being burned?

If it comes down to the 6.5-06 being a "better" calibre, than I'll probably go with it, but if it has no benefits over the 308, then I might just go with that. But like I said, I'm not experienced with these things other than what I can google, so felt you guys would be in a better position to "educate" me :D Cheers!
 
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I agree with Goose25. You have less recoil then both calibers listed plus you have the acuraccy of a 6.5. Which I think is balisticaly superior to a .308
 
If it were me I'd go 6.5-06 AI. Significant performance increase over 6.5-06. If you don't feel you need that extra power, then I'd reccomend a straight 6.5x55. Very little difference between 6.5x55 and 6.5-06, and the 6.5x55 is commercially available already loaded and doesn't require fireforming of brass etc.
 
I considered the same things before I started on my current custom build. Went with 6.5x55AI, as Lapua builds good brass to fireform. Long action so I can seat the long 6.5 heavy bullets out nice and far and not intrude in my powder capacity too much. The BC's of the 6.5 bullets are superior to the .30 cals until you get to the heavyweight 30's and then you can't get the .308 to push them fast enough for a real long range bomber.
Go 6.5. A long action one. 6.5x06 or consider the 6.5x55AI. Dennis cut my chamber, so the reamers are out there.
 
6.5-06 AI hands down... Faster, flatter and with less drift than the 308... Talk to Peter at Hirsch for Lapua Scenar bullets.. I love them in my 260AI..
 
Hey guys,

Thanks for all the info. Sounds like the 6.5 is a real winner. I never thought about doing the Swede, but the availability of factory ammo as well as factory dies is certainly something worth considering as well.

Anyone know what the barrel life will be with those 6.5 calibres vs. the 308? I know that the 264 Win Mag is a barrel burner, but that's about all I've heard.
 
Barrel life - assuming you mean most accurate barrel life - with the 308 is at least 5000 rounds. The Swede is about half to a third of that. 6.5-06 will be about the same as the Swede.

You'll still be having fun as the barrel opens up a bit. Competitive precision shooters chuck or set back any barrel that opens up, but for your purposes, you won't need to worry about that for some time.
 
If you are going with the new center feed Savage or Stevens, it really doesn't matter what cartridge you go with. The 6.5X55 Swede is a superb rd. I have owned and shot a 6.5-06 and loved it too. Both can be equally accurate.

The 6.5-06 can push the heavies a bit faster.

dies and set up is easier with the Swede.

The 6.5-06AI will get you into the 264WM territory and will feed from the new center feed mags.

All the above will give you approx 1500rds of best accuracy with 2500rds of excellent min of LR boulder. The 308 will last at least double this BUT drift twice as much.

If you were to go 308, I would recommend the 223 instead. Same ballistics, 1/2 the cost and alot of fun even well beyond 1000yds.

A fast 6.5 is so much better ballistically it will almost seem like cheating.

Jerry
 
Stay with the .25-06 it has a flatter trajectory than the .308 and roughly the same ballistics plus you wont need to buy a new barrel, replace that stock and scope of yours and you should have a sweet long range rifle. Plus you dont shoot fast enough to need a heavy barrel :p
 
Why don't you get the best of both worlds 6.5 x 308 - also known as the 260 rem. I have a one on a 40X and so far barrel life has been excellent.
 
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