.25-06 v 6.5
- Thread starter Joe Heast
- Start date
Free range rob
Well-Known Member
I went with the 6.5, I’ve found the availability of components much more widespread than 25-06 in local shops, but in this day and age of internet most everything is available.
I would be questioning the use of the rifle more than component availability.
I would be questioning the use of the rifle more than component availability.
Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
There is no comparison 25-06 kicks the 6.5 well out of the box!
if I had my time again I would have started with a 25-06.
if I had my time again I would have started with a 25-06.
Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
25-06 kills big stuff too that I will assure you
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
They work in quite different ways. The 25-06 is the biggest of the small high velocity cartridges and they shoot flat and kill through velocity rather than bullet weight. Think 50gn 22 centrefire, 75gn 243 and 100 to 120 gn 25-06. All shoot at well over 3,000 fps. 25-06 is a very nice calibre to use, and I started my deer stalking career using an estate Sako TRGS in 25-06.
The 6.5s are the smallest of the bigger calibres relying on a reasonably long and heavy for calibre bullet that is ballistically very efficient. Most shoot a 140 ish grain bullet at 2650 to 2800 fps muzzle velocity, but the original 6.5s all used a 156gn bullet at c2,500 fps and capable of handling big large game.
Not sure that any deer will notice very much difference by being hit by either.
Given though the popularity of the 6.5 CM bullets etc are widely available in many different styles.
25-06 is a long action cartridge so you will be adding a huge amount of extra weight with a long action, where as the 6.5 CM has a short action which is lighter which is very important especially by the time you have kitted it out with your long range sniper scope, bipods, piccatiny rails, coffee machines and whatever other gear you can cram on
The 6.5s are the smallest of the bigger calibres relying on a reasonably long and heavy for calibre bullet that is ballistically very efficient. Most shoot a 140 ish grain bullet at 2650 to 2800 fps muzzle velocity, but the original 6.5s all used a 156gn bullet at c2,500 fps and capable of handling big large game.
Not sure that any deer will notice very much difference by being hit by either.
Given though the popularity of the 6.5 CM bullets etc are widely available in many different styles.
25-06 is a long action cartridge so you will be adding a huge amount of extra weight with a long action, where as the 6.5 CM has a short action which is lighter which is very important especially by the time you have kitted it out with your long range sniper scope, bipods, piccatiny rails, coffee machines and whatever other gear you can cram on
Over the years I have time and time again looked at the 25-06. The problem is that once you start looking at the bare bones of the facts around the ballistic data the whole mythology of the 25-06 being the best flat shooting, hard hitting do everything round just doesn’t stack up.
I have no doubt that the 25-06 is a great round with a loyal following, just like the 6.5swede is a great round with a loyal following.
Personally, and speaking as someone who cannot imagine ever moving away from the 6.5swede, if it was me I would probably go for the 6.5creed and reap the benefits of the new kid on the block with potentially a shorter and lighter action, higher pressures and an abundance of factory offerings.
I have no doubt that the 25-06 is a great round with a loyal following, just like the 6.5swede is a great round with a loyal following.
Personally, and speaking as someone who cannot imagine ever moving away from the 6.5swede, if it was me I would probably go for the 6.5creed and reap the benefits of the new kid on the block with potentially a shorter and lighter action, higher pressures and an abundance of factory offerings.
I have had 25-06, liked it done the job of killing red, roe and sika very well. However I rebarrelled it to a 6.5-284. The 6.5-284 also does well killing as above but with a 140gr high bc bullet it is easier to kill well a bit further out. I will probably always have a 6.5 of some sort
long_range_rob
Well-Known Member
I’ve got a .25-06 and a .260 (6.5x08) they both do the job. Ask a dead deer what it was shot with, the deer don’t care.
It's a really interesting subject especially when you throw the change to monolithic bullets into the mix.
I have always been confident shooting deer a bit further out using 6.5's as the high BC bullets carry energy well, minimise wind drift and providing you select the right bullet construction they expand well at lower velocities so the slower speeds of the heavy for calibre 6.5 bullets is not an issue.
With the change to monolithics the game is going to change a bit. You bullet construction is pre defined and copper in general does not expand well at lower velocities. As a result we have to increase MV if we want to stretch the range. As a result chamberings like 25-06 could make a bit of a resurgence as there are not many chamberings capable of launching a 100/110 gr bullet much faster - ideal for copper.
A 25-06 with a 100gr TTSX might be a near perfect combination for the new lead free era.
I have always been confident shooting deer a bit further out using 6.5's as the high BC bullets carry energy well, minimise wind drift and providing you select the right bullet construction they expand well at lower velocities so the slower speeds of the heavy for calibre 6.5 bullets is not an issue.
With the change to monolithics the game is going to change a bit. You bullet construction is pre defined and copper in general does not expand well at lower velocities. As a result we have to increase MV if we want to stretch the range. As a result chamberings like 25-06 could make a bit of a resurgence as there are not many chamberings capable of launching a 100/110 gr bullet much faster - ideal for copper.
A 25-06 with a 100gr TTSX might be a near perfect combination for the new lead free era.
Cut+Squirt
Well-Known Member
I've owned and shot both and agree completely.
Thanks for the responses,
I’ve always wanted a .25-06 for the reasons mentioned, it’s a big small rifle, as big as I’d want to go before cracking into the .30 calibre range but not too small as to not do what I’d like.
Weight isn’t too much of a factor for me, I’m the kind of person to make life hard work........ I own a 28lb sledge hammer..... because I thought I should own one
.
As you all say the internet is a useful thing, I’ll take a look and see what’s available.
Thanks
I’ve always wanted a .25-06 for the reasons mentioned, it’s a big small rifle, as big as I’d want to go before cracking into the .30 calibre range but not too small as to not do what I’d like.
Weight isn’t too much of a factor for me, I’m the kind of person to make life hard work........ I own a 28lb sledge hammer..... because I thought I should own one
.As you all say the internet is a useful thing, I’ll take a look and see what’s available.
Thanks
.....or just get a 300 WinMag and throw the 110gr Barnes out at just shy of 4000fps
What are you talking about??
The 25-06 kicks the 6.5 out of the box!! Which 6.5 the grendel that burns far less powder or the 6.5-284 or the 6.5 SAUM??
In terms of variety of bullets there is a far wider variety of 6.5 components for both deer and target in .264, literally dozens more of not hundreds!
Strange response to a post asking specifically about reloading components!
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