.25-06 v 6.5 Swede

[Seamaster31]

There are some well reasoned responses that favor the 6.5, but it does not do anything the 25-06 can not do. Both are good choices for the same class of game. My choice between the two cartridges would be the 25-06 for it's extended range capability and more common ammunition if you do not reload.

I like Sako rifles and I like Ruger rifles. You will get more cash by selling the Sako than you would by selling the Ruger. Obviously there are some respondents to this thread that think so highly of the Sako that you should be able to sell it for top dollar. Some years ago I had a nice Sako .243. It was a good rifle (a bit heavy) but it really did not shoot any better than the common U.S. made bolt rifles did.

You get to make a fun decision as neither choice is the wrong one.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

I was AFK for a day or so...

These are the responses I expected. The Sako IS a nicer rifle. And, my Ruger .270 Win IS my fav rifle (my dads I inherited may have something to do with that...). My .22-250 is also Ruger M77

I don’t urgently need the cash: I won’t sell either yet. I bought that Sako a couple years ago for my recoil shy son. Still like the gun I shoot 129 GMT out of it: hasn’t touched flesh yet, but the paper doesn’t like it (shoots better than I do). BTW: I don’t plan on hinting farther than would make a difference between these calibers.

Also: I haven’t taken the 2506 out to shoot yet: that may also help this question. But I suspect it will shoot better than I.

Anyway. Thanks I always like reading responses on these kinds of questions...

Greg

 

[JumboJVT]

Since everybody says the Sako, I'd keep the Ruger. I'm contrary like that - and that would be enough for me! But with the history you have, both with this particular rifle and the cartridge, I'd sell the Sako for the additional cash the crew seems to deem the Sako worthy of, and sleep, very, very well at night. I couldn't sell my dad's M77 270 for any reason. Certainly not for reasons sake.

 

[Legionnaire]

I'm not a 25-06 fan, so I'd opt for the 6.5 Swede. Lots of bullets out there to play with. Fact that it's a Sako makes it a double win.

 

[sisyphus]

how is this even a thread? Sako.

 

[Drifter27]

Is this a trick question?

 

[Demi-human]

how is this even a thread? Don’t sell either rifle.

Is this a trick question?

Yes. All who chose a rifle at all were incorrect.
They receive no points. And have been verbally reprimanded.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Tough call. Though I prefer the. 25-06 for its trajectory and my quarterbore affection, the 6.5x55 is also a fantastic cartridge, making up for its velocity & trajectory deficiency compared to the .25-06 with better bullet selection and better terminal ballistics at long range (as long as you account for the greater bullet drop). Would really come down to the rifle for me.

 

[MachIVshooter]

If judging the 6.5x55 via information in reloading manuals, don't. That data is for lesser milsurp actions.

Your Sako can easily outperform the 25/06....hands down.

The rifles are independent of the cartridges regarding utility. The .25-06 has a flatter trajectory, the 6.5 can hit a little harder at extended ranges. That said, both are a bit light for cross canyon shots on elk or larger game, more suited to medium game, and close to moderate range for big game. So it really comes down to the host. I have both, and would choose my .25-06 because the rifle is superior. If the rifles were chambered opposite, I'd choose the 6.5.

 

[dcloco]

The rifles are independent of the cartridges regarding utility. The .25-06 has a flatter trajectory, the 6.5 can hit a little harder at extended ranges. That said, both are a bit light for cross canyon shots on elk or larger game, more suited to medium game, and close to moderate range for big game. So it really comes down to the host. I have both, and would choose my .25-06 because the rifle is superior. If the rifles were chambered opposite, I'd choose the 6.5.

6.5x55 in a modern action? Launches 140somethings at 2900 to 2950.

Variety of .264 diameter bullets readily exceeds the 25 caliber offerings for the reloader. Factory ammunition is the same situation.


Using 110 gr Hornady ELD X at 3100 fps, G1 BC, and Hornady Ballistic Calculator, 25/06 provides this:

At 600 yards, velocity is 1978, -69.8" trajectory, with 1016 ft lb of energy.


6.5x55 (using a modern action!!!). Hornady 143 gr ELD X at 2900 fps, G1 BC, and Hornady Ballistic Calculator...provides this:

At 600 yards, velocity is 2074, -73.8" trajectory, and 1365 ft lb of energy.

 

[MachIVshooter]

6.5x55 in a modern action? Launches 140somethings at 2900 to 2950.

Variety of .264 diameter bullets readily exceeds the 25 caliber offerings for the reloader. Factory ammunition is the same situation.


Using 110 gr Hornady ELD X at 3100 fps, G1 BC, and Hornady Ballistic Calculator, 25/06 provides this:

At 600 yards, velocity is 1978, -69.8" trajectory, with 1016 ft lb of energy.


6.5x55 (using a modern action!!!). Hornady 143 gr ELD X at 2900 fps, G1 BC, and Hornady Ballistic Calculator...provides this:

At 600 yards, velocity is 2074, -73.8" trajectory, and 1365 ft lb of energy.

.25-06 can push 110s at 3,250 without being over pressure, but that's beside the point, as the figures you posted still confirm exactly what I said. Flatter trajectory vs higher retained energy at range, and both light for true big game at long range.

Also already noted the better bullet selection in .264 cal

Local factory ammunition availability does favor the .25-06, but that's not a concern for most of us who handload and/or order ammunition online.

In terms of hunting, there's nothing one can do that the other won't, so to reiterate what I and many others have said, choosing in this case comes down to the rifle.

It's clear what your preference is, but maybe try reading other's posts a little more carefully before trying to debate the content and ending up repeating what was said.

 

[dcloco]

.25-06 can push 110s at 3,250 without being over pressure, but that's beside the point, as the figures you posted still confirm exactly what I said. Flatter trajectory vs higher retained energy at range, and both light for true big game at long range.

Also already noted the better bullet selection in .264 cal

Local factory ammunition availability does favor the .25-06, but that's not a concern for most of us who handload and/or order ammunition online.

In terms of hunting, there's nothing one can do that the other won't, so to reiterate what I and many others have said, choosing in this case comes down to the rifle.

It's clear what your preference is, but maybe try reading other's posts a little more carefully before trying to debate the content and ending up repeating what was said.

The 350 ft lbs of energy does not mean anything?

6.5x55's, in MODERN actions, are usually faster than 2900 as well.

It's clear what your preference is, but..........

 

[Flatbush Harry]

The .25-06 is a wonderful varmint-whitetail and long distance cross-over round. Depending on the rifle platform, the 6.5x55SE is not only a great larger game hunting round (the Swedes use it for "Moose" which is what they call elk) but is a superb target round used in European 900 meter competition. I'm a fan of both but I sold my Rem 700 .25-06 and currently have a Ruger African and a Ruger 1A in 6.5x55SE. Both Rugers are 1 MOA or slightly better shooters. I do have a Sako TRG 22 in 6.5 Creed that is a 0.25 MOA shooter. 6.5 cals are my faves.

Harry

 

[MachIVshooter]

The 350 ft lbs of energy does not mean anything?

Nope, because I actually use these rounds on game animals instead of trying convince others that the 25% kinetic energy disparities at irresponsible ranges between two cartridges with bullets .007" apart in nominal diameter are meaningful in the field. My 6.5x55 with 140s doesn't make a deer any deader than the 117 gr from my .25-06, or the 105 from the 6mm rem I had, or my wife's. 243, or my sister in law's 6.5 CM, etc, etc.

I'm sure that animal you gut shoot with your 6.5x55 because you miscalculated windspeed or jerked the trigger taking a 600 yard shot will be glad he got hit by 1,300 ft lbs instead of 1,000, though and that the bullet was 3% larger. That should assuage his suffering as he limps off to slowly bleed to death in the woods.

 

[Poper]

Nope, because I actually use these rounds on game animals instead of trying convince others that the 25% kinetic energy disparities at irresponsible ranges between two cartridges with bullets .007" apart in nominal diameter are meaningful in the field. My 6.5x55 with 140s doesn't make a deer any deader than the 117 gr from my .25-06, or the 105 from the 6mm rem I had, or my wife's. 243, or my sister in law's 6.5 CM, etc, etc.

I'm sure that animal you gut shoot with your 6.5x55 because you miscalculated windspeed or jerked the trigger taking a 600 yard shot will be glad he got hit by 1,300 ft lbs instead of 1,000, though and that the bullet was 3% larger. That should assuage his suffering as he limps off to slowly bleed to death in the woods.

Personally, I'm of the opinion that if I have a 600 yard shot, it's time I did a less shooting and more hunting. Don't people sneak on their prey these days? I began hunting in the late 1960;s and there are very few times I have taken a shot longer than 200 yards. I have had chances to shoot at 400 yards and further, but why? Mostly where we hunt is rolling prairie with some woody draws here and there. If I can't be absolutely certain of a quick, ethical kill, I will pass if I can't get closer. And have done so.

I believe in hunting more, shooting less. - Except on the range, of course!!
But that's just me.........

 

[Prairie Traveler]

.25-06 would be my choice, just because I like the quarter round. Had a Ruger 77V, in 25-06, that I traded for a 1889 Marlin 32-20, for CAS. I love that Marlin, but I wish I still had the 25! It should come down to this, IMO; which do YOU like to shoot most, which can you buy ammo for, where you live/hunt, which do YOU shoot the best!

 

[joed]

Nope, because I actually use these rounds on game animals instead of trying convince others that the 25% kinetic energy disparities at irresponsible ranges between two cartridges with bullets .007" apart in nominal diameter are meaningful in the field. My 6.5x55 with 140s doesn't make a deer any deader than the 117 gr from my .25-06, or the 105 from the 6mm rem I had, or my wife's. 243, or my sister in law's 6.5 CM, etc, etc.

I'm sure that animal you gut shoot with your 6.5x55 because you miscalculated windspeed or jerked the trigger taking a 600 yard shot will be glad he got hit by 1,300 ft lbs instead of 1,000, though and that the bullet was 3% larger. That should assuage his suffering as he limps off to slowly bleed to death in the woods.

Thank you! And you said it nicer than I would have.

 

[dcloco]

Nope, because I actually use these rounds on game animals instead of trying convince others that the 25% kinetic energy disparities at irresponsible ranges between two cartridges with bullets .007" apart in nominal diameter are meaningful in the field. My 6.5x55 with 140s doesn't make a deer any deader than the 117 gr from my .25-06, or the 105 from the 6mm rem I had, or my wife's. 243, or my sister in law's 6.5 CM, etc, etc.

I'm sure that animal you gut shoot with your 6.5x55 because you miscalculated windspeed or jerked the trigger taking a 600 yard shot will be glad he got hit by 1,300 ft lbs instead of 1,000, though and that the bullet was 3% larger. That should assuage his suffering as he limps off to slowly bleed to death in the woods.

Ah....so YOUR opinion counts, because it is YOUR opinion, is SOOOOO much more right than anybody else's? Come on......really?

You actually helped argument - very little change in diameter, less than 5" drop difference at 600 yards, but 30% MORE energy?

PS....140 0.264 diameter bullet has LESS wind deflection than the 25.


It is OK to agree to disagree. But don't be less than an adult about it.

 

[valnar]

The Ruger is clearly better, in every category 100% of the time. Sako sucks. You should sell it to me immediately at a discount to rid yourself of that garbage.

 

[joed]

Ah....so YOUR opinion counts, because it is YOUR opinion, is SOOOOO much more right than anybody else's? Come on......really?

You actually helped argument - very little change in diameter, less than 5" drop difference at 600 yards, but 30% MORE energy?

PS....140 0.264 diameter bullet has LESS wind deflection than the 25.


It is OK to agree to disagree. But don't be less than an adult about it.

Let me explain to you what MachIVShooter is telling you without being snarky. You're a product of the 6.5mm mentality. You have a ballistic app on your phone to tell you all kinds of things about the trajectory. That's cool, you know ballistics but nothing about bullets. The bullet manufacturers design bullets for different purposes, you need to know that. How do most 6.5mm fans choose a bullet for what they want to do? Why they pick the heaviest target bullet with the highest BC they can find. Doesn't matter if it's for range work or hunting. In your comparison you picked a Hornady target bullet. Most of us that hunt don't use target bullets to hunt.

Those of us that hunt choose a bullet designed for that purpose. As MachIVShooter said you don't shoot at an animal 600 yards away, it's unethical. I limit myself to 300 yard shots for hunting purposes. At that distance there is little difference between the different cartridges.

 

[rkittine]

There are a lot more projectile options for the 6.5 / .264 over a .257

 

[gotboostvr]

There are a lot more projectile options for the 6.5 / .264 over a .257

For target shooting yes, there are many more 6.5mm bullets out there.

For hunting bullets though, they're about even judging by Serria and Hornady's websites. Maybe a slight edge in 6.5's favor, but not by a whole lot. If you're purely shopping to feed a hunting rifle, it's not a huge difference.

 

[cdb1]

Let me explain to you what MachIVShooter is telling you without being snarky. You're a product of the 6.5mm mentality. You have a ballistic app on your phone to tell you all kinds of things about the trajectory. That's cool, you know ballistics but nothing about bullets. The bullet manufacturers design bullets for different purposes, you need to know that. How do most 6.5mm fans choose a bullet for what they want to do? Why they pick the heaviest target bullet with the highest BC they can find. Doesn't matter if it's for range work or hunting. In your comparison you picked a Hornady target bullet. Most of us that hunt don't use target bullets to hunt.

Those of us that hunt choose a bullet designed for that purpose. As MachIVShooter said you don't shoot at an animal 600 yards away, it's unethical. I limit myself to 300 yard shots for hunting purposes. At that distance there is little difference between the different cartridges.

Well stated.

 

[dcloco]

Let me explain to you what MachIVShooter is telling you without being snarky. You're a product of the 6.5mm mentality. You have a ballistic app on your phone to tell you all kinds of things about the trajectory. That's cool, you know ballistics but nothing about bullets. The bullet manufacturers design bullets for different purposes, you need to know that. How do most 6.5mm fans choose a bullet for what they want to do? Why they pick the heaviest target bullet with the highest BC they can find. Doesn't matter if it's for range work or hunting. In your comparison you picked a Hornady target bullet. Most of us that hunt don't use target bullets to hunt.

Those of us that hunt choose a bullet designed for that purpose. As MachIVShooter said you don't shoot at an animal 600 yards away, it's unethical. I limit myself to 300 yard shots for hunting purposes. At that distance there is little difference between the different cartridges.

Actually, you and MachIV are being snarky. Just because the two of you have an opinion, does NOT make it correct.

I don't use target bullets to hunt - never implied or stated that I did. Very NICELY, picked bullets for EACH caliber, that had high BC for comparison. If you try to glean something else off of that....oh well.

I do not own or use only 6.5's, there are multiple to choose from. For you to say I am a product of the 6.5 mentality, you are absolutely mistaken. I RARELY use a ballistic app. Occasionally, I do use an ballistic app to compare what I have ACTUALLY shot on paper with target AND hunting style of bullets.

I am of the opinion, that a 600 yard shot is NOT unethical.....with MANY considerations to add in. Have YOU done EVERYTHING that is required of YOU to MAKE the shot. Have you selected the components, loaded, practiced, practiced some more....practiced IN the wind, and, and, and.......AND!!!!! Personally, I don't believe 99.8% of hunters do, what is TRULY necessary to prepare themselves AND their equipment for the possibilities.

So, unwind your keyboard assumptions....and get off the horse that your opinion is RIGHT. Your opinion is nothing more than just that.....your opinion. I provided information and neither of you have done nothing but toss mud because, oh my....somebody disagrees with you.

 

[LoonWulf]

How do most 6.5mm fans choose a bullet for what they want to do? Why they pick the heaviest target bullet with the highest BC they can find. Doesn't matter if it's for range work or hunting. In your comparison you picked a Hornady target bullet. Most of us that hunt don't use target bullets to hunt.

To be fair the ELD-X IS a hunting bullet, just as there are Berger VLD hunting bullets.

I shoot plastic-tipped target bullets almost exclusively and have found little or no difference from the similar weight (and designed) plastic-tipped hunting bullets. A lot of folks don't like the plastic-tipped hunting bullets either, but I've had excellent performance from both.