6.5x06 vs 6.5x06AI

[captdavid]

I'm considering selling my 7-08 VLS and building a 6.5x06 on a new Zastava sction that I have. I'll probably go with one of the Pac-Nor barrels at 26". It will be used primarialy to 'ring the gong' at various distances to 400yds and ocassionaly when I need a longer range deer/coyote gun. I plan on using 120gr BTs, for plinking and 125PTs or 130 Scirrocos for hunting. I really have no need or want to shoot much farther than 400yds because I dont believe in shooting farther than one can practice. I reload because It is cheaper and that I can buy custom ammo. As far as accuracy goes anything below MOA is acceptable. I would like to get 3100fps with the 120-125s and 3050fps with the 128-130s. Is this 'doable' with the 6.5x06 and using sane loads or am I dreaming a little? I have also considered the AI, but it seems too much trouble, for the gain, to me. Also, which twist would you get if the heaviest bullet that I will ever shoot is a 140PT and probably not that? Please give me your opinions. thanks, capt david

 

[Bart B]

A friend of mine used a 6.5-06 years ago for long range target shooting. He used Norma 139-gr. match bullets and always full-length sized his cases for best accuracy. They left his 28-inch 1:10 twist Hart barrel about 2900 fps and he got test groups at 600 yards of about 3 to 4 inches. His barrel lasted about 900 rounds before it immediately went to 2-foot groups at 600 yards.

You may well get the muzzle veloctiy you want with the bullets you plan to use. But I'd be satisfied with a bit less muzzle velocity and a lot better accuracy. Best wishes in your endeavour.

 

[wildcat]

Captdavid, go with the 6.5x284. With the 6.5x284 you should be able to get close to 3400 fps with a 120grn bullet and 3300 with a 125grn bullet out of a 26" barrel. Plus, Lupa and Norma make EXCELLENT 6.5x284 brass. By going with 6.5x284, you will not have to due any necking down.

Wildcat
My favorite Calibers in my collection
338 Lupa Magnum Improved
6.5x284
6x284
220 Swift
223

 

[Alan Griffith]

Bart B,

900 rounds!? Man, that would concern the heck out of me. I was thinking of rebarreling my 700 to the same 6.5-06 in a Lilja barrel. Anyone else have similar or different experiences?

Big Al

 

[Bart B]

Big Al, my .264 Win. Mag. long range rifle went 640 rounds befor its barrel went sour. My friend with the 6.5x06 told me I wouldn't get more than 700 rounds out of it; he was right.

Another friend of both his and mine now uses a 6.5x.284 as does his wife and two daughters for long range matches. His wife and oldest daughter co-hold the iron sight 1000-yard prone record (200-16X) both with the 6.5x.284. He rebarrels those rifles at 1500 rounds. I don't think they take a barrel to the Nationals with more than 700 rounds through it as after that the barrels' accuracy degrades a little bit.

 

[James Jones]

Does your LVS not shoot well ? For shooting out to 400yds as a max I would think that the 7-08 would be great even with the lighter bullets in the 120-140 gr class.
I personaly don't see any reason to need any more speed or or any more power for deer out to 400yds than the 7-08 has hell even the 243 would be good option.

you would be well served by taking your VLS ,assuming that its accuracy isin't up to snuff , and having it rebarreled to say a 260Rem , you'll be able to shoot the same great high BC bullets as the 6.5-06 and you'll get alot longer barrel life and all that would be required would be a new barrel and the smiths work.

another option would be the 308 Win , but for 400yds shooting at targets and the rare deer or yote I woulden't look any farther than what you have

 

[captdavid]

I may be /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif but I have this Zastava action and Boyd JRS stock. It's a long action. I want to complete that project. I'm trying to decide on a caliber 6.5x06, 270 or 280 and need the money from the sale of the VLS to complete the job. It shoots well 1.25" groups with 139gn Hornady LMs @2980 and .75" with 140BTs at 2800fps HLs. I might not get the Mauser to shoot any better, but that's the direction that I'm heading. capt david