Here is some loading data relating to some of the cases mentioned above. Unfortunately only the MD data is for a pistol length barrel, but I believe that most of you will find the information interesting none the less.

260 REM, 24" B, 1:9" twist

120-Gr SPR SP, H4831, 50.0C, 2954 fps, 54,200 PSI
H4350, 46.5, 2960 fps, 58,200 PSI

140-Gr NOS P, H4831, 45.7, 2686 fps, 59,000 PSI
H4350, 42.0, 2677 fps, 58,800 PSI


*6.5 MD, 15" B, Twist - Unknown but probably 1:8"

120-Gr. SIE, N 560, 52.0C, 2852 fps,
AA4350, 49.0, 2807 fps,

140-Gr. Rem N 560, 52.0C, 2736 fps,
AA4350, 49.0, 2733 fps,


6.5-06, 24" B, 1:9" Twist

120-Gr. SFT SP, H4831, 52.5, 2970 fps, 62,300 PSI
H4350, 49.0, 2996 fps, 63,300 PSI

140-Gr. SPR GS, H4831, 49.5, 2731 fps, 62,300 PSI
H4350, 45.5, 2737 fps, 62,700 PSI


6.5-284, 24" B, 1:9" Twist

120-Gr. SFT SP, H4831, 52.8, 2871 fps,

H4350, 49.0, 2897 fps,

140-Gr. NOS P, H4831, 49.5, 2722 fps,

H4350, 45.5, 2737 fps,


6.5 REM MAG, 26" B, 1:9" Twist

120-Gr. SPR SP, H4831, 59.8, 3286 fps, 51,000 CUP
H4350, 52.0, 3080 fps, 51,200 CUP

140-Gr. NOS P, H4831, 54.0, 2943 fps, 51,400 CUP
H4350, 49.0, 2780 fps, 51,100 CUP.

* Data for the MD was given by JD Jones and is optimistic in my experience. The rest of the data came from the Hodgdon's 2006 Annual Manual, no pressure readings were given for the MD or the 6.5-284 cartridges. All loads given are maximum loads.

Although a lot is made about the supposed greater case capacity of the 06 case, I think it is interesting that most of the bigger than 260 cases reached their maximum loads at about 49.0 grains of H4350 powder with the 140-grain weight bullets in 6.5. The 6.5 Rem mag developed the most velocity, had the heaviest powder charges and the longest barrel. The 06 case is longer and can potentially hold more powder but it often ends up holding only more air because maximum pressures are reached before the case can be filled with a lot of the powders with the right burning rates for that sized case.In some of the cases and bullet weights H1000 and H414 produced slightly higher velocities than 4350 and 4831 did. I didn't include those loads because those powders were not used in all the cases with all the bullet weights used, so in some instances slightly more velocity can be had by using those powders.

If you just look at the achieved velocities, the 06 case seems to hold a big advantage. If you observe the pressures the bullets are being driven at, the other cases would also make a better showing if they were upped to the 06 case pressure levels. It would be nice if data was available where pressures were held as constant as possible but I know of no such data...Rusty.