6.5-284 thoughts (update!)

With the Tikka I would go with the 6.5-06. The same performance without the hassle of trying to alter the mag for the fatter case. I had the 6.5 284 built on a short action with a 22" barrel and was getting 3000 with 140 gr bullets.

300 win mag uses the same mag as a 30-06 in the t3 no problems with fatter cases.


I've cycled 6.5-284 rounds out of the mag on a t3 30-06 and they fed 100%

There shouldn't be any problems with that case as they feed rem and win mag rounds just fine.
 
I have built many, many rifles in calibers based on the 284 case and have yet to make any changes to the feed systems of any rifles. Neither have I had any problems with feeding with the rebated rim. I really like this case and have found I can lengthen the throw and magazine on any short 700 by more than 3/8" making it totally feasible for all calibers based on the 284 case. I have a couple long 700 actions that I have lengthened the throw and magazine to 4" ............I love working on 700s they are so easy to modify and still shoot sub MOA.
OP, were I to be using a long action I would quite likely go with a 264 WM or 26 Nosler, just to get the most out of the 26 bore and the long action. But the 284 is a wonderful case and I have built quite a few of these for guys who just love this combo of bore and case. In fact I do own a 264 WM and several other 6.5s at this time but no 6.5-284s at the moment.
Another 6.5 I played with briefly was a 6.5-300 WM which showed some potential but we didn't have the powders back then to really turn it on like we do now...........
 
I considered the 6.5-06 and the 26 nosler but this gun will partially be for the better half and I wanted to keep recoil down but still keep knock down power up so the 26 nosler missed the cut. I stayed away from the 6.5-06 because my main rifle is a 280 rem and I didnt want two rounds that looked so similar that when we are hunting she or myself accidentally loads the wrong round into the wrong gun. Seems like a silly mistake but things happen. I'm really looking for to this round though.
 
If it was a dedicated short action I would say 6.5X47. You also did say top performance. If building on a long action and top performance is the goal, you won't beat the 6.5 SHERMAN. I can drive 140 Bergers at 3339 fps. With that said brass prep is a bit of work. You wont get quite the performance but could also go 6.5-06 AI.
 
I have built many, many rifles in calibers based on the 284 case and have yet to make any changes to the feed systems of any rifles. Neither have I had any problems with feeding with the rebated rim. I really like this case and have found I can lengthen the throw and magazine on any short 700 by more than 3/8" making it totally feasible for all calibers based on the 284 case. I have a couple long 700 actions that I have lengthened the throw and magazine to 4" ............I love working on 700s they are so easy to modify and still shoot sub MOA.
OP, were I to be using a long action I would quite likely go with a 264 WM or 26 Nosler, just to get the most out of the 26 bore and the long action. But the 284 is a wonderful case and I have built quite a few of these for guys who just love this combo of bore and case. In fact I do own a 264 WM and several other 6.5s at this time but no 6.5-284s at the moment.
Another 6.5 I played with briefly was a 6.5-300 WM which showed some potential but we didn't have the powders back then to really turn it on like we do now...........

The 6.5-300 Weatherby do sound like a sound like lot of fun
 
I did a 6.5 STW a while back. Same ballistics as the 6.5-300 Wby. Back then, as mentioned, it was hard to find decent powders the further down you necked the full length H&H cases. Now days it should be easier. In regards to the the OP, there will be no discernable difference between a 6.5-06 and a 6.5-284. I have a couple versions of each, there really isn't any real difference. 6.5 Gibbs or a 264 WM gives you a little more without engendering any significant increase in recoil. FWIW. - dan
 
I'll give this a bump back to the top here as my gun is being close to finished up and I'm getting a little excited lol. I've picked up dies, some lapua brass, and a box of Hornady 143gr eld-x. Any recommendations on powder? I've heard good things about Retumbo and H4831sc with the ELDX.
 
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I'm surprised that the 270WSM wasn't mentioned as an alternative to the wildcat esp. given that it will be used a hunting round.
 
I wasn't really asking what cartridge I should get over the 6.5-284. More on peoples experiences with that cartridge. The gun is built just a few final touches and test firing. Hopefully get it out in time for spring bear.
 
I'll give this a bump back to the top here as my gun is being close to finished up and I'm getting a little excited lol. I've picked up dies, some lapua brass, and a box of Hornady 143gr eld-x. Any recommendations on powder? I've heard good things about Retumbo and H4831sc with the ELDX.

You will enjoy loading the 6.5-284. Keep in mind, published load data for the Norma has variances. You can push it safely past some of these charges. H4831sc is a go to for sure. I'm loading that powder with a 130 VLD at 3k. Super accurate load. I'm chasing velocity so still going to try other powders. Just ordered 8 lb ofRL 26 for other rifles and will try it in the Norma. RL 22 works good to. Everything I have put through mine has been sub moa. Accubonds, Scenars and Berger. Also ordered some 127 Barnes LRX to try. The bergers have done really good on half dozen elk, 140 to 150gr from 7-08 and 270wsm. I will probably stay with them for the Norma.
It is a fun round to shoot.
 
That's good to hear about the bergers being good enough for elk. I was going to pick a couple boxes of the HSM factory ammo which is lapua brass loaded with 140 bergers, for a little barrel break in and hopefully bear before I get a chance to do load development. I think H4831sc is going to be my first go, read lots of positives with it in this one.
 
I wasn't really asking what cartridge I should get over the 6.5-284. More on peoples experiences with that cartridge. The gun is built just a few final touches and test firing. Hopefully get it out in time for spring bear.

Very KOOL cartridge - Need to see Pics - My Buddy just had one built on a HVA action with a Wildcat stock and a Benchmark # 2 barrel - Hes got to shoot it yet ! RJ
 
Hello, so I'm putting together a semi lightweight 6.5-284 Norma. Rifle will be used as an all around hunting rifle. Just looking at anyone's personal experience hunting with this round. Bullets you used, powder, or even factory loaded. Just mostly curious on overall thoughts in general.

It's a wonderful cartridge. I've had mine for about 5 years with tremendous results on paper and with two whitetail bucks. The Nosler 140 grain AB and the 129 grain LRAB loves VV160, or should I say the gun loves it. Many times the gun has achieved under 1/2 groupings, along with complete pass through's at 125 and 250 yards on both bucks. Bullets love to be seated on the rifling or 5,000" off......of course, go with Lapua brass.
 
This reminds me I really need to get off my ass and get those guns I always wanted made up. A 6.5-Rem mag and a proper 7.5x55 bolt gun. Completely impractical, but what the hell....
 
So I figured I would give an update on this thread. The gun got finished by corlanes late last spring and turned out awesome. Over the summer I worked up a load with 143gr eldx at about 2875 fps. So not crazy speed but very respectable and will be good at all temp ranges. So come November I had practiced with it quite a bit and was ready to go. First was the better halfs mule buck, it was about a 150yd shot quartering towards. She made a great shot standing off the primo shooting sticks and anchored him right in his tracks. It was her first deer and was a nice 4x4 typical that score 165". Next up was a mule doe at 200 yds and a perfect broadside shot right behind the shoulder. Clean pass through, she went 30yds and tipped over. Last was my first whitetail buck in 4yrs. Caught him with a bunch of does. The wind was 20+ mph this day, I got to 175 yds with the wind blowing right in my face. He was slightly quartering toward me again. Hit him square in the front shoulder, he ran 50-60yds through a bunch of willows and fell dead on the other side in the field.

Overall it was a great hunting season and I was extremely happy with the gun and the work done by Corlanes. As far as the cartridge it is my new favorite. With mild recoil and great ballistics it is a beauty. That 143gr eldx hits like a brick and with 2/3 shots being quartering toward shots on bone they performed awesome. Now for spring black bear, hopefully I can put a big color phase down and the wife can get her first!
 
Right on. I just sent a Tikka donor up to Corlanes last week for a rebarrel to 6.5 PRC. Think 6.5-284 ballistics in a RCM casing, I have a pile of 143 ELDX too
 
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