About to get into a 6.5-06

[204 AR]

My old hunting pard is hanging it up, there's no way he could physically hunt now. He wants to sell his main big game rifle because none of his nephews, son-in law, etc reload and it's a wildcat. It also happens to be built on a Springfield action by a gunsmith that was from my hometown, and where he lived after I was gone in the 90's. So it's a caliber I've always wanted, and has sentimental value to spare. Lilja barrel, timney trigger, it's got all the good stuff but isn't a range beauty for sure lol. Not terrible beat up but kind of a plain wood stock. I brought it home, cleaned it up good and inspected the bore and fired a couple groups. The throat is no spring chicken but has life left for sure. His load of 120 ttsx clocks 3100 fps and gave me probably 1.5" groups at 200 yds in a pretty good breeze. I think it will do even better if I bed the action, which I can't believe wasn't done. I know it's always shot amazing for him as I've seen his groups.

I know these builds aren't in vogue now for a long time. I'm trying to come up with a value, has a vortex viper 6.5-20 on it, some brass and dies and a box of 120 ttsx bullets and a few more loaded rounds. He was thinking 800 for all, which is maybe high? Idk, it's not a big deal and I don't want to fleece him, probably give him that and go shoot a deer with it this fall for fun.

 

[William Suter]

Sometimes its hard to put a value on a rifle or pistol. You just have to go with a gut feeling about how bad you really want it. I have a Mauser that I bought on a whim. Refinished the walnut stock, bed the action and put a Timney in it. I'll probably never get my money back. If you want your friends rifle then I say go for it. Every time you shoot it you'll think of him.

 

[1stpitch]

Sounds like it's more of a sentimental thing than a caliber choice for you. But, 6.5-06 is a good one, IMO. I just had Jarrett build me a new 6.5-06 last year.

 

[204 AR]

The caliber is a big big plus. It's been on my short list forever and I have lots of components already. The guy who built it was a big proponent of that caliber way back before 6.5's were cool.

 

[GC]

If you like it, its worth it. Think about this, what price would buy a solid all steel action, custom barrel, good trigger, wood stock, any scope, dies, etc? Probably more than $800?

 

[Polock]

I really like my 6.5x06, only wildcat I ever had. It's on a Rem 700 BDL action with a Shilen barrel, Walker trigger at 3# and a leupold/Redfield 3-9x scope on one piece Redfield base. Had the barrel chambered so I could load a 140gr Hornady SP to the base of the neck and shoulder junction. have used it on elk three times and got three cow elk with three shots. Shot a few deer with it and longest measured 330 yds. I don't like shooting that far but did that just to say I did! Pretty sorry reason, one shot and down. I had a 7mm Rem Mag re-chambered to seat the bullet, 160 gr Speer HC, that way years ago and really like it. No bullet down below the top of the neck and all seated over the bullet dia in the neck. I had the chamber cut the same way on a 260 Rem and shoots great. Caution, make sure your magazine will handle the OLL of the cartridge with the bullet seated that way!