.25-06 v 6.5 Swede

I'd keep the more accurate of the two. Which I'd be hoping was the Sako...

I'd keep the Sako, rugers nice but.....not a Sako

From a rifle standpoint, Sako is the winner, hands down. Cartridgewise, I've owned both. I opted to keep my 6.5 Swede. If you feel the need for the larger case capacity, keep the .25-06. My opinion, the 6.5 will do anything the .25-06 will at the distances I shoot for hunting in northern Michigan.

I'm sure both rifles are very nice! This may sound weird but which gun is more natural to you. Comes up to your shooting position, bolt throw is automatic, safety is like other firearms you love. The accuracy of both I'm sure is acceptable and the cartridges are so similar that the advantage or disadvantages doesn't matter.
I would go with the rifle that comes up like a good bird gun does

Between the 2 cartridges 6.5X55 all the way. A 25-06 limits out with bullets around 115-120 gr. I've never felt it offered a significant advantage over a 243 with 100-105 gr bullets. Both 243 and 25-06 are combo varmint and deer cartridges but not a good choice for anything bigger.

The 6.5X55 starts with 95 gr bullets and can take bullets up to 160 gr. It has taken every animal on the planet including everything in Africa and still be an effective varmint round. It won't shoot as flat as 25-06, but with modern 140-150 gr high BC bullets will be effective at ranges far greater than 25-06 can come close to. And with modern optics and range finders a flat trajectory is no longer the advantage it once was.

The Swede gives you more leeway as t what you can hunt; coyotes to moose.

Not even close...
Final score - SAKO 6.5x55 42; .250-06 7.
Now if only the Eagles could...........

How is this a problem?
Sako and the 6.5 all the way.

I’d keep the Sako regardless of caliber. Fact it’s a 6.5x55 is just icing on the cake. Rugers are great rifles....but Sako they are NOT! One of the absolute best actions period! And if we are talking calibers, 6.5 Swede with the modern bullet & powder technology we have make for an effective long range round. FAR out ranging the 25-06. It was a caliber far ahead of its time. And can still hang with the best today.

I've always been partial to M77's. I've also always loved the .25-06. Combined, they make a great match. But the Sako in 6.5x55 is the better option.

Yeah, keep the Sako. The 6.5 Swede seems the better cartridge of the two.

Big .25-06 fan here. Never owned a Sako but have owned Ruger. I'm not a big Ruger fan. Between the 2 cartridges you haven't said what you use them for. In my case I would keep the Sako regardless of cartridge. But, I do favor the .25-06 over the Swede.

joed said:

Big .25-06 fan here. Never owned a Sako but have owned Ruger. I'm not a big Ruger fan. Between the 2 cartridges you haven't said what you use them for. In my case I would keep the Sako regardless of cartridge. But, I do favor the .25-06 over the Swede.

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Why the 25-06 over the other? No snark intended. Honest question.

Clean97GTI said:

Why the 25-06 over the other? No snark intended. Honest question.

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I can't answer for @joed, but for myself: Can't legally hunt anything bigger than coyotes with bottlenecked cartridges where I live... So lighter and faster is my preference.

Howland937 said:

I can't answer for @joed, but for myself: Can't legally hunt anything bigger than coyotes with bottlenecked cartridges where I live... So lighter and faster is my preference.

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ah, makes sense.

6.5x55 in a good rifle for me. 120,s at 3000+ fps and 139,s at 2900+ fps with N-560 with a 24" barrel.

I like the Swede as a cartrige over the 06.

I would take the Ruger 25-06, assuming it is one of the accurate ones.
That model is out of production now, they are still making the Sako.
With 75 or 85 gr. bullets the Swede can't match the 06 velocity for shooting coyotes which means extended point blank range and more accurate quick shots.
The Ruger integral bases and solid rings are a better arrangement than the Sako ultimately. I once dropped a Ruger M77 close to four feet onto an asphalt surface, landing directly on the top of the scope. Made a gawd-awful CLACK. Leupold Vari-X1 scope. I was a wreck. Took that rifle out asap to check zero at 100 yds. Could have hit a dime.

Have several nice .270 WCF's.

... and still got a 6.5x55.

Somethin'bout it...




GR

I’ve never been a fan of Ruger rifles with one exception(Ruger Hawkeye African 6.5x55) and don’t care for the 25-06. I very much like the 6.5x55, have owned one for ten or so years. If the Ruger was an African 6.5x55 I’d take it over the Sako.

"Why the 25-06 over the other? No snark intended. Honest question."

Honest question, honest answer. I've owned and shot the .25-06 for 42 years and I'm now on the second barrel. Pretty much like Howland937 said, living in Ohio where you can't hunt bigger animals with a bottle neck cartridge the .25-06 shines. But, that's only part of it. I've gone to Canada hunting black bear with that rifle, used it for deer in FL and shot a lot of groundhogs in Ohio too. It is a very versatile cartridge in my opinion with a trajectory like a laster. In all honesty if I were going Elk hunting I wouldn't feel out of place with the .25-06 and a 120 gr premium bullet at reasonable ranges. I have a lot of faith in the cartridge and it has never let me down. Almost every animal shot with it pretty much dropped right there.

When I had Kelbly replace the worn out barrel I remember the smith asking if I wanted it chambered for another cartridge. For a split second I considered the 6.5-06 but the choice was easy after 42 years, .25-06. It just did everything I ever asked it to do.

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.

You probably don't want to hear this but since no one else has said it .... I have one of each (though the 6.5 is a Mauser) and I don't let either one gather dust. Why not start saving for the next one instead? ..... out ....

bandur60 said:

You probably don't want to hear this but since no one else has said it .... I have one of each (though the 6.5 is a Mauser) and I don't let either one gather dust. Why not start saving for the next one instead? ..... out ....

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Same here. There is a lot of overlap, but they’re both great rifles to have in the quiver when your next hunt may require more of ones unique abilities over the other.

Stay safe.