6.5-06 is it an ok caliber for africa and help with bullet choice

[gillettehunter]

Just a quick note on the Barnes TTSX. Love how they open up and hold together. I have not shot the LRX. Given the shot distances I'd feel good using it too. Wacth your gun and see when accuracy goes downhill. My Tikka 300 WSM loves the TTSX. 1/2 min or a smidge less. .... But after about 10-12 shots I get copper fouling in my barrel and the accuracy goes south in a BIG hurry. You may not have that problem, but remember it as a possibility. Bruce

 

[Biggdawg]

Just a quick note on the Barnes TTSX. Love how they open up and hold together. I have not shot the LRX. Given the shot distances I'd feel good using it too. Wacth your gun and see when accuracy goes downhill. My Tikka 300 WSM loves the TTSX. 1/2 min or a smidge less. .... But after about 10-12 shots I get copper fouling in my barrel and the accuracy goes south in a BIG hurry. You may not have that problem, but remember it as a possibility. Bruce

thanks again yes i planned on checking out how many shots before accuracy is effected. i planned on taking my cleaning stuff if it isn't a problem having it in my checked or carry on bags as far as the solvents go.

the 127 is supposed to open to a lower velocity from what i have been reading..

man the info here is great. just what i was looking for.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

I'd check ahead before trying to bring solvent in your carry on.

I can tell you from personal experience that you don't want it in your checked luggage.

Africans clean their guns, too, so you can either borrow gear and solvent from your PH or get something at the store once you get there. You may not be able to get whatever magic brand that cool people in the States are using this week, but they will have something that will work. A boresnake travels well. Put some oil or breakfree on it and pop it in a plastic bag in either your gun case or checked luggage. That way the oil can't spill. You won't be shooting enough that you need the 3 brush/ 4 products on 27 patches routine.

But seriously, leave the solvent at home unless your REALLY love the smell of Hoppes.

 

[sestoppelman]

I have taken Hoppes on every trip over, never had an issue. Bert, what was your experience??

 

[Biggdawg]

I'd check ahead before trying to bring solvent in your carry on.

I can tell you from personal experience that you don't want it in your checked luggage.

Africans clean their guns, too, so you can either borrow gear and solvent from your PH or get something at the store once you get there. You may not be able to get whatever magic brand that cool people in the States are using this week, but they will have something that will work. A boresnake travels well. Put some oil or breakfree on it and pop it in a plastic bag in either your gun case or checked luggage. That way the oil can't spill. You won't be shooting enough that you need the 3 brush/ 4 products on 27 patches routine.

But seriously, leave the solvent at home unless your REALLY love the smell of Hoppes.

thanks for the heads up. guess i will just pick something up when i get there. i will put my cleaning rod and other tuff in my gun case.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

I have taken Hoppes on every trip over, never had an issue. Bert, what was your experience??

It was actually not Hoppe's, but fortunately a less aromatic oil in a flip top bottle. Top stayed on and closed. Best I can tell, the change in pressure at altitude must have caused some to leak out onto the surrounding clothing. I'd just buy some on arrival if the bore snake isn't enough. I don't think I've shot even 40 rounds on any of my 3 two week trips.

 

[sestoppelman]

I think the bore snake is a good idea, or actually last time I think I just took some patches that had Hoppes on them and some dry patches in a baggie. I like to clean the bore every couple of days just because. I rarely shoot enough to warrant every day cleaning.

 

[Bobpuckett]

I think the bore snake is a good idea, or actually last time I think I just took some patches that had Hoppes on them and some dry patches in a baggie. I like to clean the bore every couple of days just because. I rarely shoot enough to warrant every day cleaning.

Totally Agree you would make the outfitter rich if you shot enough to clean every day. I have a cleaning kit that fits in to a package about the size of a snuff can has pre lubed patches and works great for a quike cleaning. just remember your only going on safari your not moving there, or are you?

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I'm thinking it would be very tough to carry on anything liquid as TSA won't let you even bring a bottle of water through security. For checked baggage, I would make sure any liquids were in a less than full container, this gives the liquids some room for expansion. And I would make sure each was in a no doubt about it sealed ziploc bag.

Or better yet, go with a round you can shoot 30-40 shots without loss of accuracy and skip bringing the cleaning supplies.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Just a quick note on the Barnes TTSX. Love how they open up and hold together. I have not shot the LRX. Given the shot distances I'd feel good using it too. Wacth your gun and see when accuracy goes downhill. My Tikka 300 WSM loves the TTSX. 1/2 min or a smidge less. .... But after about 10-12 shots I get copper fouling in my barrel and the accuracy goes south in a BIG hurry. You may not have that problem, but remember it as a possibility. Bruce

I'm so glad to see I'm not the only one who has experienced this.

 

[Biggdawg]

I'm thinking it would be very tough to carry on anything liquid as TSA won't let you even bring a bottle of water through security. For checked baggage, I would make sure any liquids were in a less than full container, this gives the liquids some room for expansion. And I would make sure each was in a no doubt about it sealed ziploc bag.

Or better yet, go with a round you can shoot 30-40 shots without loss of accuracy and skip bringing the cleaning supplies.

I do agree, carry on would be a no go. I think i am going to soak some patches and triple bag them and put them in a cut out in my pelican 1750 with the guns.

I don't now how many shots i will take but i want to at least run a patch or 2 a day through it. it is a 10 day 4 trophy plus management hunt so i will get some shooting. i think i can run 30-40 before i have to clean so maybe not daily but atleast every couple of days.

thanks for all the great input guys. i love this place.

 

[Divernhunter]

What I did was buy a small bottle or Barnes CR-10 solvent and use my food vac-sealer on it and a small bottle of oil. Then I had a alum hard case with the foam in 4 pieces. I removed one piece top and bottom and put clothes in there. I also place the solvent/oil there. Then foam on top. Never had any type of problem with customs or leakage.
If it would have leaked it would stay in the vac-sealed bag.

I did the same with shampoo/toothpaste/sunscreen etc in my checked bag. Anything that could leak was vac-sealed. I had stuff leak before while driving to another state. Never again.

PS I fired close to 50 shots(a bunch of monkeys) and never needed the cleaning stuff. If you are getting fouling then you have a rough bore. I suggest polishing it if you want to use Barnes bullets. You may not have the problem with Swift A-Frame bullets and they sure worked well for use.

 

[Code4]

I have had tremendous success with the 6.5mm 140 Woodleigh on large soft skinned animals up to 750-800kg in a .264WM. All have been pass throughs with explosive exits. With your 6.5-06 impact velocity will be less and they may not open as widely, however they will penetrate.

Although not canvassed in the O.P. all you need is a boresnake. This will save carrying all the other cleaning gear. Store it in a plastic zip bag to keep the dust out of it.

Good hunting.

 

[Norwegianwoods]

I have owned my 6.5-06 for 20+ years now and have tried different bullets and have shot a few animals during those years and the 120 grain Barnes TTSX is by far the best bullet I have used in the 6.5-06.
It leaves my barrel at 3367 fps, is very accurate, good effect on the animals, little meat/hide damage and has a high weight retention.

It is clearly the bullet I recommend you to use in your 6.5-06 if your gun likes it and shoots it well.
I would use it on any PGs with great confidence.

 

[Red Leg]

The 6.5 is a wonderful bullet. My personal favorite is the 6.5x57 but they are all similar. The heavy for cal bullet is what makes them special. I love the 140's. they will drive through anything up to 500 pounds end-to-end and will break both shoulders on a side presentation. That is why I would stay away from the 120's - even in the TTX - for the larger PG. The boiler room is farther forward on African antelope than in deer, and you will often have to penetrate bone. Range is rarely an issue - penetration almost always is.