6.5cm or 25-06

[jimb1069]

I am trying to decide between these two rounds on a new rifle this year. I know the 6.5 is the flavor of the month but it seems to fit the bill for what I
want to do which is hunt deer and coyotes. Same thing with the 25-06. I read it is even flatter shooting but have read several things about finicky loads over 100 grains. I like the idea of not following the crowd with the 6.5 but don't want to over look it based on that. Any help or suggestions would be
appreciated. I am looking for something that shoots off the shelf ammo well even if I have to try several brands to find what works.

 

[patience0830]

6 of one, half dozen of the other. 6.5 might be easier on bbls but no more than I shoot, it will probably not be my concern. 6.5 is probably a more efficient cartridge. Just deer and coyotes, I might be tempted by a 6mm Creedmoor or a .243 Win.

 

[jimb1069]

Yeah I guess I overlooked the 243. Something else to consider.

 

[Alpo]

25-06 is one of the first wildcat cartridges. It's still around because it is a great one! I love the caliber and have a Savage.

 

[Leadeye]

Another vote for 25-06.

 

[two70]

Of those two choices I would also go with the .25-06. If you are leaning toward the 6.5, I would suggest the .260 Remington over the 6.5 CM. For your stated purposes the .260 is a slightly better fit and you can find plenty of used guns as well as new guns that don't carry the slight premium the popularity of 6.5 CM can command. Ammo is just as available as the .25-06.

 

[jimb1069]

Have you had any trouble finding shelf ammo that will group or am I just reading to much about it?

 

[two70]

Here's a nice .25-06 for a very good price if you go that route.

 

[jimb1069]

thanks for the link two70. That is a very good price!

 

[Alpo]

Yeah. I don't need another rifle right now...but a Tikka less than $500? Wood stock.....

And it is Labor Day.

It would be like a special tribute for all my hard work.

...and I could probably hide it from my wife.....

 

[two70]

Yeah. I don't need another rifle right now...but a Tikka less than $500? Wood stock.....

And it is Labor Day.

It would be like a special tribute for all my hard work.

...and I could probably hide it from my wife.....

Excellent, it seems my plan to post the deal in hopes that they would sell out before I gave in to temptation may be working as planned!

 

[churchmouse]

Interesting thread as I just bought a Ruger precision in 6.5 CM

 

[jimb1069]

look forward to any range reports you care to share churchmouse!

 

[churchmouse]

look forward to any range reports you care to share churchmouse!

I will but time will not be available for a while. I have as yet to put a round trough it...

 

[natdscott]

Either of those rounds is going to do the job on a deer or coyote, if you feel you want that much.

.243 is wonderful on coyote, producing mostly bang-flop kills...in most circles, it's considered to be really big for the animal.

Deer..well, .243 is extremely capable if used within it's limits. To me, that's about 300 yards for the cartridge, maybe 400 with a good rifle pushing heavy bullets fast.

.25-06 and 6.5 Creed should extend that some, but inside 200 yards, all three will act almost exactly the same on critter no bigger than a deer.

 

[Mgderf]

I recently jumped on the 6.5CM bandwagon purchasing a Howa 1500 action bedded in an AB Arms (American Built Arms).
I hope to take a whitetail with it this season.

 

[bgcatty]

Maybe a .257 Roberts? A fine shooting tried and true cartridge.

 

[two70]

Maybe a .257 Roberts? A fine shooting tried and true cartridge.

There are some Ruger No. 1s with international style stocks chambered in .257 Roberts on GB right now that are pretty sweet looking... but not $1100+ sweet!

Not a whole lot of new rifles chambered in the Bob though, ammo is generally less available than the .25-06 and it is not quite as flat shoot either(though one is not likely to notice for typical Indiana ranges). If it weren't for ammo availability and cost the .25 WSSM and .257 Weatherby would be worth considering and both are flatter even than the 06. For sheer cool factor, a Savage 99 in .250 Savage would be hard to beat.

Darn it, now I want another .25 caliber!

 

[JimH]

I own both,although I haven't used the 6.5 on critters yet..the 25-06 with 85 grain Noslers starting at 3600 really slams the coyotes.Have also killed 2 deer with this load and while it worked great on broadside shots I will use 120 grain bullets this year.

 

[jimb1069]

Thanks for all the good input.