For a strictly long range hunting round (out to say 750 yds on deer sized game) which would you build a rifle around, the 6.5-06 or the 6.5-284. Brass availability, ease of reforming, etc, comes into play. Discuss....
6.5-06 vs 6.5-284
- Thread starter 220Swifty
- Start date
I have a 6.5 Swede and I'd like to know how I can get it up to 6.5-06 speeds without a longer barrel.
How do you do it?
I went through the same deliberations when choosing my 6.5.
I looked at the 6.5-06, lots of .25-06 brass to use for forming.
6.5-284 brass is available readily enough and some real good quality stuff.
They virtually have the same powder charge and very similar ballistics. Both are overbore.
I went with 6.5x55AI. Should get close enough to 2900 fps with the 140 grain bullets from what I understand from speaking with owners of the AI version. Powder charges are 8-10 grains below the 6.5-06 and 6.5-284, looks good to me.
I looked at the 6.5-06, lots of .25-06 brass to use for forming.
6.5-284 brass is available readily enough and some real good quality stuff.
They virtually have the same powder charge and very similar ballistics. Both are overbore.
I went with 6.5x55AI. Should get close enough to 2900 fps with the 140 grain bullets from what I understand from speaking with owners of the AI version. Powder charges are 8-10 grains below the 6.5-06 and 6.5-284, looks good to me.
I could share my load formula with you,
what are your velocities now, with what gr. bullet ?
- Location
- pallisers triangle
i really like them all, actually. i have a fav however, and its a rem 721 with a 26" medium weight RKS bbl on it, in 6.5-06. very very acurate, and much less expensive to shoot, brass wise, than the 6.5/284. it is every bit the equal in velocity and accuracy as any of them. ive found that 270 brass works about the best for resize, and you can buy it cheep .
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
Not unless you are pushing then Swedeover pressure.
I have a mess of 6.5's and the 6.5X284 is so ballisitclly even with the 6.5 /06 , I deer would not be able to tell the difference.
The 6.5X55 however, is not quite near either , however.
N matter how fast you can handload the Swede, either of the other two can be pushed faster.
My vote would be the 6.5.06, IMP.
if I ad a choice however, it would be the 6.5WSM...
Cat
my 6.5 Swede runs 2600ish with a 140 AMax and 48grs Rel22
Sako 75 22-7/16" barrel 8" twist
47 grains of RE22, Remington Brass, Win Primers and 140gr Amax --> 2880fps (M96 w/ 29" barrel)
The *.284 has such a good reputation for extreme long range accuracy. It is the cartridge to beat in 1000M competition. It is a popular choice for long range sheep hunting and with its assortment of superlative quality components, you would do very well.
As a hunting rifle, it would last decades. As a target rifle, they are good for around 1000 accurate rounds or so.
As a hunting rifle, it would last decades. As a target rifle, they are good for around 1000 accurate rounds or so.
Terry Perkins
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Bruce County
Don't use anything with a lower BC than Berger VLD's at 750 yards, and with a 6.5/06 keep the initial velocity over 3000fps.
Remember it's what the bullet does when it gets there...too slow, and they don't open up.
If that's the case then i wouldn't bother with a 6.5-06 my data says I need 55gr of r-22 with a 27" barrel to reach 2928fps out of 6.5-06AI! to me the swede kicks that out of the water.
The m96 action is not as strong as modern actions. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the military load for this rifle was only around 2400fps at the muzzle.
I believe that 6.5x55 brass is also typically made with thinner case walls than 6.5-284 brass.
I believe that 6.5x55 brass is also typically made with thinner case walls than 6.5-284 brass.
I don't care what anyone says
the m96 swede is just as strong as the k98 action the only difference being the vent holes in the action IF something goes wrong. So its not as safe but just as strong.
lapua makes 6.5x55 brass so no worries about brass
I don't care what anyone says
the m96 swede is just as strong as the k98 action the only difference being the vent holes in the action IF something goes wrong. So its not as safe but just as strong.
lapua makes 6.5x55 brass so no worries about brass
Indeed. M96 action is strong enough but lacks in the safety department. Kimber and few other companies used to offer .308/30-06 chambers in M96 action. 6.5x55 is rated @ ~46K CUP, while .308 @ ~50K CUP pressure.
The disclaimer is for the Krag and M94 guns.
I finally obtained 200 pieces of Lapua brass will push past 47gr later this year. I am building another rifle in Swede using Savage LA action and Shillen barrel (thanks Jerry)
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
No problem
I vote 6.5-06 because it has more case capacity and you just never know if you will need more powder. Will feed from any standard LA mag. A 284 may need some tweaking. You also get an extra rd for your troubles.
Brass is a no brainer and readily available.
I don't want to run really hot pressures in a hunting rifle as somewhere in the bush is not the place to have a functioning problem. You can get 2900+fps without stressing anything in the 6.5-06. 3000fps if you want to run toasty
You would need to run things a bit toasty in a Swede. Plus in some actions the Swede is too long so you end up using a longer action and having space. May as well start with what fits in any long action.
YMMV.
Jerry
I vote 6.5-06 because it has more case capacity and you just never know if you will need more powder. Will feed from any standard LA mag. A 284 may need some tweaking. You also get an extra rd for your troubles.
Brass is a no brainer and readily available.
I don't want to run really hot pressures in a hunting rifle as somewhere in the bush is not the place to have a functioning problem. You can get 2900+fps without stressing anything in the 6.5-06. 3000fps if you want to run toasty
You would need to run things a bit toasty in a Swede. Plus in some actions the Swede is too long so you end up using a longer action and having space. May as well start with what fits in any long action.
YMMV.
Jerry
I'll agree with the strength of the 96 actions, but in the case of speed, it really is a function of case capacity and barrel length/friction. In like barrels, the 6.5-06 and the 6.5-284 have a larger case capacity, and if loaded to identical pressures will always push the same bullet faster then the 6.5x55. I have all three, and multiples of the Swede, and that's just the way it is. A 6.5-06 AI will give you the same speeds as a 6.5-284 built on a long action. A 6.5 Gibbs is another step up, just a little behind the 264 Win Mag, which is a step below the 6.5 Banshee, which is a step behind the 6.5 STW. It's the boiler room that does the work. - dan
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
The 6.5-06 and 6.5-284 are going to be more powerful than the 6.5x55 if they are all pushed, that's just a fact. But with long barrels lots of guys get the 6.5x55 (with max loads) going similar to many 6.5-06/6.5x284 loads. My swedes will push 140's at 2825 with 48.5gr RL22 and 2905 with 50.0gr RL22. If you're happy with 2800-2900 fps I'd just stick with 6.5x55 and be prepared to get 5 reloads per brass instead of 8-10 with the 6.5-06 or 6.5x284. If you want more than that personally I'd go 6.5-06. I seriously looked into one myself, but for the cost, and the gain of about 150 fps, I decided against it.
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If you are starting from scratch a 6.5 Gibbs will yield the highest vel. with good case life and will feed from most mags. I have 2 rifles chambered in 6.5 Gibbs. One 1 did up 30+ yr. ago before understanding twist/bullet ratios. It has a 12 twist and won't stabilize 140's but will drive the 120's well over 3300. Other has 8 1/2 twist and 140 wildcats @ 3100 are the most accurate. Can go faster but this seems to be the spot. These are sporter barrels. Brass is a bit of a pain to form but lasts a long time. I have a set of the Gibbs chamberings and the 6.5 is by far the favorite. Mark
