Rifle · Wildcat
6.5-06 A-Square
The .30-06 case necked to 6.5mm — a natural pairing that delivers mild recoil with excellent long-range ballistics.
- Caliber
- 0.264″ · 6.706 mm
- Introduced
- 1969
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .30-06 Springfield
- Primary use
- hunting
- Status
- Limited
- Introduced
- 1969
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Art Alphin / A-Square
- Manufacturer
- A-Square Company
- Standard
- Wildcat
- Status
- Limited
- Availability
- Limited
- Case capacity
- 68 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:8
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 58,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 400 yd
- Recoil
- 7–11 ft·lb
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 6.5-06 A-Square. Parent case: .30-06 Springfield.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
reloading data · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 6.71 | 0.264 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 7.52 | 0.296 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 11.24 | 0.443 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 17.5° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 11.93 | 0.470 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.01 | 0.473 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.24 | 0.049 | ~ |
| Neck length | 8.10 | 0.319 | ≈ |
| Case length | 63.35 | 2.494 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 84.86 | 3.341 | ~ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 6.5-06 A-Square is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Lineage
Connected reference
History
American wildcatters began necking the .30-06 to 6.5mm in the 1940s–60s. Colonel Arthur Alphin's A-Square company later commercialized it as the "6.5-06 A-Square," producing factory loads that elevated it beyond pure wildcat status. With A-Square's closure the cartridge reverted to wildcat status, but reamers and custom barrels remain available.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 6.5-06 A-Square use?
- 6.5-06 A-Square typically uses a 1:8 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 6.5-06 A-Square?
- 6.5-06 A-Square uses a 0.264″ (6.706 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 6.5-06 A-Square still in production?
- 6.5-06 A-Square is limited; typical availability is limited.
- What is 6.5-06 A-Square used for?
- 6.5-06 A-Square is primarily used for hunting.
- What is 6.5-06 A-Square based on?
- 6.5-06 A-Square is derived from the .30-06 Springfield case.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 18 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →