6.5-06 loads anyone?

[hooligan1]

I have a custom rifle being built in this chambering, and I thought I'd like to hear about anyones loads or bullet choices for this cartridge.
The barrel will be 1-8" twist, 24" .

[hooligan1]

Nobody loading 6.5-06? After I get set up with dies and bullets I will post some good data fellas, no sweat, thanks for looking.

[Mike / Tx]

That one has crossed my ind several times through the years. That said, having the 25-06, .270, and .280 somewhat deterred me from ever going there.

Hopefully I will get there one of these days, but right now I have a hard time getting out to enjoy the ones I already have. Most of my time in the country is catching up on chores that need to get done. When we're not there well it's chores around here.

Wishing you all the best and looking forward to seeing what she will do once you get her dialed in.

[Pilot]

The 6.5 Swede, or its modern counterpart, the .260 Remington is my next caliber to reload. Until then, use the published loading data.

[Clark]

I have a 6.5-06 reamer, dies, bullets, 6.5x8 Ratchet twist barrel blank, action, scope, rings, scope mount, stock, bipod, etc.

I am ready to build that rifle, but I don't know if it will be done in time for hunting in October 2014.

But when I do, I will probably start with and work up from:
120 gr moly 55 gr H4350
129 gr moly 54 gr H4350
140 gr moly 53 gr H4350

I will probably be using 30-06 or 270 brass necked down.
I will probably be using Nosler bullets

6.5-06 did not make the top 169 cartridge list with RCBS dies [A list]
The 6.5-06 is relegated to the next list of bottle neck rifle cartridges, the D list with obscure cartridges and Kathy Griffin.

[micksis86]

OP, What bullet weight / powder were you looking at using?

[hodaka]

I had one for a while. I'm away from my notes but as I recall 4350 was my choice and Sierra 142's and 140's. Only shot one deer but it was a 10 point that dropped with a neck shot from a 129 Hornady. Great caliber if you load. Covers everything from a .25-06, 270 and 30-06.

[hooligan1]

Clark that "D list" Kathy Griffin included isn't stacked with the popular kids, but it'll earn respect quick and in a hurry....Accuracy in the 06 case is THE goal.
I have a 25-06, .270, 30-06, and they are super accurate.

I'm going to load heavy bullets to shoot at 500-700 yds to test this rifle and myself and my loading effort. Hopefully its easy but some are not of course.
I have plenty of powder choices and I want to try Re17 as a start with140 grain hunting style bullets, after that its "game on" with target type stuff.

[Clark]

6.5-06 is such a good idea that I ASSUMED it was popular. Looking for used die sets or discounted new sets has been slow.

Forster does not make them. I am thinking of ordering one of their 25-06 sizer bodies with the neck honed out from 0.273" to 0.293".

Lee does not make an off the shelf collet neck die for a 6.5-06.
I am thinking of putting 0.3" of washer stack up around the base of the case in a 260 die.

[hooligan1]

Clark I know dies are scarce, I ordered a set of RCBS from Midway yesterday, 73.00 delivered


Im necking down .270 winny, Im setting on PLENTY of those dudes.

[micksis86]

My Reloading Manual does not list RE17 for 140 grain loads it has loads for RE19 for every bullet weight from 100 - 160 grains.

Anyway for RE19 the manual lists the following;

Minimum
48 Grains ofr RE19 for 2740fps
Max
52 Grains of RE19 for 2930fps (out of a 24" Barrel)

This is taken from Nick Harvey's Practical Reloading Manual Ninth Edition.
As far as the number of cartridges listed in a reloading manual this one is unmatched with loads for most popular wildcats and AI cartridges.
Being published in Australia (Nick Harvey is a leading gun writer in Australia) the loads listed in this manual are generally hotter than those in my Speers 13th and Lyman 49th edition.