I have a 1908 mauser chambered for 6.5-06. While I love the 6.5-06, I don't reload, so getting ammo is a pain with my " no time to spare" life. Been reading a little about the 6.5 Remington mag and like the ballistics. It is to be an antelope gun, and since Remington is loading it again......any thoughts??

I have a 6.5 RM and love the round. Getting factory ammunition isn't too much of a problem if you have a big sporting good store nearby or order over the internet. But if you are trying to simplify your life and want something factory loaded similar in performance, rebarreling a 6.5RM isn't the best choice. The choice and quality of ammunition isn't very good compared to something such as a 270. If I didn't reload, I'd choose a 270 much before a 6.5 RM. The 6.5RM really doesn't reach its potential unless it is reloaded whereas 270 factory ammo is comparitively very good.

Besides the factory ammunition issue, you'd have to work on your boltface and magazine with a 6.5RM. With a 270 you wouldn't need such work assuming you have enough magazine length now for the 6.5-06.

Why don't you get smart and start "rolling your own"? If not, maybe you should trade that rifle for another chambered in a caliber that ammo can be bought at any local store including Wally World?

Bailey,

I don't think you can rechamber a 6.5/06 to a 6.5 RM without setting the barrel back into the receiver and doing bolt face work!

Think you should learn to reload, sell rifle or order a large quantity of ammo from:

A-Square

The 6.5-06 and 6.5 mag are very similar performance wise. I am not a gunsmith but I think you'd be better off going to 264 WM. You'll have to opne the bolt face and rails, but the 264 should clean up the chamber without setting the barrel back. Lou

duckboat got it right.

If you have a 6.5-06 now then you would have a real problem rebarreling to a 6.5 rem mag because of the bolt face.

I have a 6.5 rem mag and can push a 140 gr bullet at over 3000 fps all day long so I love the caliber. But the factory ammo (usually all you can find on the shelves is Remington Core-Lokt 120 gr) is anemic at best. There are excellent 270 loads right off the shelf.

Thanks for the input. I will just keep the 6.5-06 and patronize A-square.

Thanks again!!

There are others selling 6.5-06 besides A-Square. Such as
http://cpcartridge.com/cart2/?main_page=index&cPath=2_112

Ya, and I really like the 6.5-06!
Shotgun