25-06 or 6.5 creedmoor

The 6.5x55, 6.5x54 and 7x57 were developed as military cartridges in the late 1800’s where the ability to hit man sized targets at 1000 yards and provide harassing fire further was a requisite.
It's the reason also these military cartridges had bullets heavier than we'd now usually use in them. So 160 grain in the 6.5mm, 175 grain in the 7mm and etc.. The better sectional density gave a capability of what I think was called "searching fire". That is you could at long range fire at a point just above the crest of a rise with a reasonable expectation that there was a chance that the trajectory of the bullet would then allow it to "search" behind that crest making a benefit from the trajectory curve that such heavy bullets possessed. Certainly this is mentioned in a number of the British Army manuals of the period before World War 1.
 
Having now owned both and reloading for both, I would have to give the edge to the Creedmoor. Better bullet selection, similar recoil, less muzzle blast, less powder, more efficient and is functional with shorter barrels. The 25-06 needs a 24" barrel or longer for best velocity. But did it ever make for slectacular kills at the expense of more meat loss.
 
I've used .25-06Rem now for twenty years.. takes everything in the UK with authority. Use the load that suits your rifle & you're good to go out to 300+
Open hill on reds... fantastic! It's a cartridge that works best with the bullet driven fast, so I use 100gn Sierra Prohunters & 110gn Nosler Accubond.
It's an established cartridge with a small following, so it's not hugely popular... I have no idea why!
I have 6.5's & they're good, will do the job perfectly satisfactorily but the .25 is my go-to rifle!
 
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First rifle was a 25-06 wish i still had it. Ive just had a 30-06 semi custom done that i intend to use bullets in the 120gr area so it hopefully will be similar to my old 25-06 but with the availability to shift up significantly in weight if i ever needed to.
Jimmy
 
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The amount of phone calls we get from people who are looking for 25-06 ammo, never had that from 6.5CM shooters. Out of the two I would go 6.5CM, better ammo selection in the shops. What some call a Creedmoor hype is just because they have waited so long for someone to create a 6.5 with less faults. 260 too long for normal magazines, 6.5x55 too short for long action, too long for short action and lower pressure than CM.
Shooting a 6.5CM and a 308 I think the 308 is still the better deer cartridge, less fussy with ammo.
edi
 
Iam not into hype or fashion if it works it works. All of those calibres are fantastic infact in my mind there practically all the same, just the creedmoor is cheap ammo and available due to popularity.

I think the hype and fashion these days seems to be to object the new and stick with the old.
The cool kids are shooting 6.5 creed and the really cool kids are shooting .260 cos they’re not man bun wearing sheeple but the actual cool kids are shooting 6.5 creed because they know. When you know, you know.

It’s like all the religiously atheist followers of people like Richard Dawkins.
 
Nothing faddy or fashionable about 6.5Creedmoor these days: it's pretty old hat.

If the OP wants to be different for the sake of it, get the 25-06. Otherwise, 6.5Creedmoor is the logical choice.

I like my 6.5x47 but would choose 6.5Creedmoor over it. I like my 308Win and 243Win but would choose the 6.5Creedmoor if forced to choose one alone.

I get the "something different" itch (I hunt with 45-70, cast bullets much of the time). But 25-06 ain't exactly esoteric, so unless you have an irrational prejudice against 6.5Creedmoor I'd get that.
 
Everybody saying 6.5 for ammo availability …….

Funny I can get .25-06 ammo / reloading stuff no bother at moment over 6.5 stuff…….

Had .25-06 for 15 yrs plus and I love it … as said drive fast and it seems to just have that hammer on deer and drops em .

Paul
 
If supply issues dont change any time soon you really need to decide on the availability of brass and bullets, or whatever your choice is it will be left sitting in the cabinet taking up space that could be used for something that you can use.
Compare the number of 6.5 and 25 cal bullets.
 
Everybody saying 6.5 for ammo availability …….

Funny I can get .25-06 ammo / reloading stuff no bother at moment over 6.5 stuff…….

Had .25-06 for 15 yrs plus and I love it … as said drive fast and it seems to just have that hammer on deer and drops em .

Paul
FIFO...

When components do become available again for the more popular cartridges (which is happening here now), and .25-06 components finally dry up (because they are purchased so infrequently), I think you'll be singing a different tune. A lot of manufacturers have already said they have no intention of producing stuff for the obscure cartridges any time in the near future. So when what you see is gone, it's going to be gone for awhile.

So in this case, FOFI; First out (of stock) first in (stock), due to sheer demand numbers.

Something to think about...
 
Had a look in past a local gun shop while passing today (not a huge shop but not tiny either) - 9 types of 6.5 CM factory ammunition 10 if you include the match ammo.

2 for a 25-06 federal vitalshock and Remington corelok.

I had a look on RWS webpage just now and they don’t even list it under the hunting bullet section.

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I've had a 25-06 years ago. It was very accurate and killed everything very well. I reloaded so no problem with ammo but having said that there was never a great supply of components.

I now use a 270, 6.5x47 and 6.5-284.

Out of all the rifles I've had i would say the 6.5-284 is the best. The only thing is you do need to reload for it
 
Get what you want otherwise you won’t be happy. Don’t listen to people in here.
Both are good deer calibres. I would look at what will happen when copper comes in which might push the 6.5 more
 
Cannot understand How anyone can like a 260 but not a creedmoor, they are so close to being the same thing with a different title. Each to there own
Oh man
They are not..

6.5fm is anaemic compared to the 260rem

2-300fps more available

OP
You say nothing about the quarry or expected range you will be shooting
Do you reload?
Is non lead in your future?
More info required


.25-06 is not well serviced by the rifle or ammo manufacturers
Dropped from some brands completely
Ammo is a challenge.
Non lead ammo even more
We produce one of two readily available brands
 
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