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DJM, I think that the standard 6.5/06 will give you a happier time as fireforming can be a bit of work. I also don't think that the additional case capacity will gain you enough to warrant the change. I shoot a 6.5/284 and there are definate similiarities in performance there... you will love whatever 6.5 you choose.

What's wrong with rebarreling it to .25-06? You probably already have the dies, components, and experience to make it shine.

Perhaps the last one was a blonde, and now he'd like a redhead?

But, you do have some valid factual points!

after testing a lot of 6.5 bore calibers.. I built a 6.5 x 57 ( or 6.5 x 257 Roberts, if you will)... In testing the 6.5 x 284, the 6.5/06 and the 6.5/06AI.. that I had availability to, I was able to obtain the same velocities with the same bullet weights, using less powder with the Roberts case...

Feeding was no problem which the 284 case gave feeding problems.. and the 6.5/06 and AI version consumed more powder for the same results..

If you don't like the 6.5 x 57 concept, then the 6.5 x 55 is pretty interchangable... and brass more readily available..

this was on a long action Model 70 that I built mine on, with the throat reamed out to magazine length with 140 and 142 grain Sierra Match bullets as dummy rounds...

I prefer the 6.5 bore over the 25 as it gives the same major bullet weights, plus a few more, tons of match bullet options, and bullet weights topping out at 160grains as opposed to 120 grains in the 25 cal bore...bullet selection is much more in the 6.5 bore compared to the 25 cal or 270 cal bores...

DJM

Just for my own curiosity what kind of accuracy were you getting out of you 25-06?

I had a Tikka 695 and a semi custom Sako built on an AV action with a Shilen barrel both in 25-06 but I could never get any consistency.

Would be interested to hear your experience.

go 6.5/06 AI, the better case life is worth the extra effort, its not that big of a deal to fireform, take 25/06 cases and champher, prime, and load with a moderate 6.5/.6 load and seat a boatail bullet in them, go shooting, accuracy is pretty darned good and you can hunt while fireforming
RR

quote:

Originally posted by 308Sako:
Perhaps the last one was a blonde, and now he'd like a redhead?

But, you do have some valid factual points!

no one wants a red head.

I have to agree with Paul on this one.

The standard 6.5-06 has the 25-06 beat all to hell and back. Much better bullet selection. The AI configuration looks pretty cool. If he doesn't mind the extra work of fireforming, what the heck...

Don't lean on the barrel for varmint shooting on a hot day though. Pretty easy to eat up a barrel if the rock-chucks are out in numbers.

LD

I'ld go 6.5x284. It's a happy cartridge in a std. length action & good brass is readily available.

Although I like the 25-06, my vote goes for the standard 6.5-06 or 6.5x55. Lou

Gidday Paul from NZ,

You gotta be a North Islander if you have never seen a good looking red head. There are a heap of them down this way.

Met a bice one last night.

Just think of Nicole Kidman and Lindsay Lohan.

I'd give them both a crack at the title if they asked really nicely.

Happy Hunting

Hamish