New to the 6.5-06

[loaders_loft]

With a 9 twist the 120 and 130 grainers will be your best bet. Any 140+ bullet will need to be fairly stubby, like the partition. I get 3090fps with the 130 swift sirocco using n560 and about 3210fps with the 120ttsx using n560 also. My 6.5-06 has a 8.5 twist 26" #3 brux carbon steel barrel. Next time I'll get at least 8 twist or faster.

 

[montana west]

agree i have the 1-9 twist because I will use 130 and 140 gr bullets. I wanted a rifle that woud do the same as the great 270 Winchester and i have just that . with the 130 I use 6 gr less of R22 and get the same velocity and I believe the 6.5 has better BC. I am sure the muleys and analope would know the difference. However I had my first 6.5/06 in 1975 . I had a ackley imp and sold the thing - too much trouble for 50fps.I like to use 270 win brass resize then trim to 63 mm and she is ready to go- also 25/06 brass is real good ,but less plentiful.

 

[Ross1147]

6.5-06AI here, mine likes RL26 with the 140s and 156. I use 4831sc for anything lighter. I use 25-06 brass just necked up, load then fireform. Looks like you have a good stockpile of 26 so stick with that and you'll be fine...or if you want to trade for some 4831sc I'm all in!lol

 

[montana west]

you know Ross1147 you are getting 264 win mag velocities and you mus have a real good chanber and barrel. I understand that Reloader26 should have been reloader24 acording to th burning rate and R 23 should be reloader 21- however they are good powders made in swisersland, i bedlive i was getting 3050 with the 140 usinfg r- 22 I understand R-26 up the velocity and I will try sone of it also R 25 does about the same a R22 with a grain or two more. you have a shooter

 

[L.Sherm]

In all my testing with 23 it's a tad slower than 22

 

[montana west]

that is good news thus this will be a great powder for reloading.

 

[LongProng]

25-06 brass is the easiest to form, followed by trimmed 270. I wanted to maximize velocity and went with Lapua 30-06. It took quite a bit more work as I stepped down to 270, and then to 6.5. I also had to turn the necks. All in all I felt it was worth it as I was able to increase velocity a tad and ended up improving my accuracy as well. I shoot many other calibers but the 6.5-06 is still my favorite for deer and antelope. I have taken elk with it, but now opt for my 28 Nosler as I prefer to take a little longer shots than I'm comfortable with on the 6.5.

 

[Farmerboy78]

What's your max distance you consider the 6.5 for? Because I've taken deer to from 100 to 875yds and my 6.5-06 was the rifle. One shot bang flop on a doe whitetail.

 

[montana west]

you know the answer it will shoot for while- the military uses a 284/6.5 because it will shoot further than the 300 win and a bit less recoil. your 6.5/06 will do the same and a
little bit better.

 

[LongProng]

What's your max distance you consider the 6.5 for? Because I've taken deer to from 100 to 875yds and my 6.5-06 was the rifle. One shot bang flop on a doe whitetail.

For my particular rifle I would prefer to stay under 500-600 for Elk. Not because of the caliber, but due to my setup. I am using a modified factory Sako Deluxe wood stock. For longer shots I would prefer my 28 Nosler which is fitted with a KRG stock. If I had a better stock on my 6.5 I would be comfortable out to 800-900 yards for Elk.

 

[65WSM]

Reloader 22 is not temperature stable. Reloader 26 is temperature stable. It is made in Switzerland by NitroChem and is one of the most modern consistent performers available.

I can remember when Reloader 22 first became available. Jack O'Connor had some before the public and wrote about loads for the .270 Win in Outdoor Life magazine. Maurice Ottman, who was O'Connors gunsmith, worked seasonably for my Dad every spring. I have shot many pounds of R-22. I loaded it in the .264 Win. 6.5-06 Ackley and .270 Win. You would be better suited to find some Hodgdon "Extreme" H-4831, H-1000 or R-26 and have that first shot go where you intend. Always shoot coated bullets in an clean nitrocarburized barrel. No naked bullets!

 

[montana west]

well Mr O conner did not have tempature sensative powder but I do know he had IMR 7828. saw lots of in his reloading room in Lewiston. Along with many beautiful trophy's . I been shooting the 6.5/06 and the IMP 6.5/06 and I think the regular will do just a good with less problems..In my rifle with a 25" bbl using a flat base 140 gr bullet 52 gr of 7828 at 41 degree temp @3400' elevation I am getting 3020. a 130 gr. fb bullet with 53.5 gr 7828 giver me 3070. and my primers are good and the cases resize real easy.. as you know all rifles are different and I would not advise any one to start with these loads. I do not believe you can improve any 63 mm 06 case under 7mm. and I remember P O Ackley telling me you cannot improve the 270 Wnchester and I think he was correct . But some of us want a red liner and I am guilty too.

 

[Alibiiv]

Haha I kinda went all in with this powder I found my 7mm loves it and my 270 wsm loves it so this is where I'm going to start if I remember correctly it a 1and 9 twist

Would you tell me the reason that you like the Reloader 26 for the .270WSM? I have been using the load data for my .270 Ackley Improved for a place to start with my load, haven't used Reloader 26, just curious.

 

[Lab rat]

Would you tell me the reason that you like the Reloader 26 for the .270WSM? I have been using the load data for my .270 Ackley Improved for a place to start with my load, haven't used Reloader 26, just curious.

It's super accurate and I get good velocity with it