Yes I owned a 6.5-06 for a while, and I tore it down.
Could you please explain "tore it down"?
I have a new-to-me 6.5mm-'06 but since I just moved, I'm certainly not experienced with it yet. So I don't know if 6.5mm-'06 (aka 6.5mm-'06 A-Square) is right for you, but if you do run with it, I would *not* go with the AI version. The regular version is plenty hot / overbore for most any purpose (arguably too much so), and you don't have to fireform brass - you can just make brass by re-sizing .25-'06 brass. If you don't even want to do THAT, then yeah, get a 6.5-284 Win or a 6.5x55 Swede (or a .25-'06 or a .270 Win
).
Really, in a sense, if you must stick with a 6.5mm, the 6.5x55 Swede and .26 Nosler have the most going for them, in this *general* "more overbore than .260 rem" category:
--No feeding issues if you're going to be using it in a repeater, and want that 2nd shot fast capability unlike the 6.5mm-.284 Norma, which is reputed to not be a stellar feeder, though some dispute this. Also, I believe the mag holds one less with 6.5-284 than with the '06 based rounds.
--No fireforming, then sizing, unlike the 6.5mm-'06 AI.
--No sizing (and possibly trimming), unlike the 6.5mm-'06.
If you don't like messing with the stuff, and you want the fast 2nd shot, then 6.5x55 or .26 Nosler are the way to go (i.e. if actual hunting is the main use).
But if you have the time and patience for fireforming and extra brass prep, then the sky's the limit, including 6.5 RUM!
Oh, and don't forget about 6.5mm RSAUM and 6.5mm WSM - some people are doing these too. In particular, the 6.5 RSAUM has a following on the sniper forums and such. Not sure, but these *may* give you the "magnum powder charge space without the single-feed length with ultra-long bullets" advantage of the 6.5-.284 Norma (which taylorce speaks of), but without the feeding issues of the latter .... ???
However, always keep in mind that if you're *NOT* worried about feeding a 2nd shot quickly, then it's VERY hard to beat the 6.5-.284 Norma in this general niche, since fantastic brass is available for it, and it's a proven accurate performer. And I'm sure that it will feed fine in most rifles, 90% of the time.