twist rate for 6.5 06

[Okdeerman]

I am having a 6.5 06 built for whitetail hunting in the OK panhandle. I hunt a lot in pastures that are fairly wide open and present long shots. I have had numerous opportunities to shoot nice bucks at 700 yds+ but did not feel comfortable taking the shot. My question is, what twist should I get if my intention is to use the rifle mainly for deer hunting with an occasional prairie dog shoot thrown in? I would want to use the lighter, 100g or less bullets for PD and up to 130g for deer. What twist rate would be a good fit for those 2 situations? Thanks

 

[quigley257]

Personally I would run a 1/8 twist. If you are expecting longer shots on deer, I would choose a 140 class bullet for best long range performance, but 130s would also do okay. When I use my hunting rigs for Pdogs, I tend to shoot the same bullet as I do when hunting. No better practice for using dope than shooting tiny targets at long ranges. Great practice for big game season.

 

[Catbird]

For most 130"s a 1in9 would work, but if you want to shoot at longer ranges a 1in 8 for the heavier bullets would be needed. You will want at least 1000 ft/lb of energy for an ethical shot.

 

[Prairie Sasquatch]

Go 1-8 and shoot the 140 Berger HVLD. I shoot this bullet out of my 6.5-284 at 3010 fps. Your 6.5-06 should shoot them at the same speed or very close. Kills whitetails no problem at the ranges you are talking.

 

[Okdeerman]

Personally I would run a 1/8 twist. If you are expecting longer shots on deer, I would choose a 140 class bullet for best long range performance, but 130s would also do okay. When I use my hunting rigs for Pdogs, I tend to shoot the same bullet as I do when hunting. No better practice for using dope than shooting tiny targets at long ranges. Great practice for big game season.

Using the same bullets for PD and deer is a smart idea

 

[QuietTexan]

There's no reason to not get an 8.

 

[Okdeerman]

Go 1-8 and shoot the 140 Berger HVLD. I shoot this bullet out of my 6.5-284 at 3010 fps. Your 6.5-06 should shoot them at the same speed or very close. Kills whitetails no problem at the ranges you are talking.

What is the barrel length on your rifle?

 

[Prairie Sasquatch]

24" barrel. I'm shooting Retumb powder. I am working on a 4831 load now too since my supply of Retumbo is running out.

You should be close to 1000 ft lbs at 900 yards

 

[xsn10s]

For longer shots like you listed I'd get a 1-8". That's what I have in my 260 AI and I shoot 145 Barners Match Burners through it. I've been getting danger close to hitting sagerats out to 800 yards with it

 

[roninflag]

what action? what barrrel?

 

[Okdeerman]

what action? what barrrel?

REM 700, McGowen barrel this will be the third McGowen for me, the other 2 have been very accurate for me

 

[Catbird]

Has anyone ever done a 6.5"06AI ?

 

[Koda_]

I would get a 7 twist and shoot the heavies. Get the throat cut longer for the bullet you want....

 

[QuietTexan]

Has anyone ever done a 6.5"06AI ?

I had to make the same choice, and went with 6.5-284 instead because of factory brass availability. If I were to go through all the work of necking down 30-06 though I'd for sure want the AI version. And why not, you have to neck down anyways so it leaves you the perfect false shoulder for fire forming the AI.