6.5-06 Speeds

[Greywolf18]

I am looking into building a 6.5-06 for deer/med game. I was debating between 130ish to 140ish bullets. Just wondering what kind of speeds people are getting out of there 6.5-06's and what bullets they are using. I'm thinking a 26" heavy barrel for mine because I don't mind walking around with a heavier rifle. Thanks for the input!

 

[Fiftydriver]

The standard 6.5-06 will get around 2850 to 2875 fps on average for a 26" barrel with a 142 gr SMK. That is with comfortable working pressures. Some may be a bit faster, some a bit slower.

The 6.5-06 AI will get you 2950 to 2975 on average with same bullet weight. Again, some will certainly break 3000 fps but I am talking on average and with good case life.

Certainly both are great chamberings for your usage goals.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

I had a 6.5-06 built for my son last year. It is running the 130 Scirocco @ 2950fps. I ran it up higher with no problems, but the recoil got a little stiffer so I backed it down a little. 3100fps seemed fine, but I did not shoot many so I don't know for sure how hard on the case it was.

Steve