I am planning on building a 6.5-284 for my new long range, all purpose, hunting rifle. The reason I am posting this in Precision rifles is this is normally a precision cartridge used for 1000yd matches, not duffing whitetails at 450yds on the Alberta Prairies. Now, is it reasonable to build this on a short Remington action, if I am planning on using 140gr bullets primarily? If not, I may just move onto a 6.5 WSM or a 6.5-06, but I would appreciate any insight from someone who has been using one. Thanks.
6.5-284 questions.
- Thread starter rem338win
- Start date
With 140 gr bullets, a short action will work fine. If you go to a 6.5-06 you will need a long action, but ballistically the two are pretty much twins. 6.5 WSM will put you nipping on the heels of the 264 Win Mag, at least with lighter bullets. As for using it on white tails, why not? As I said, it's basically a 6.5-06, and you'll look a long ways to find a better deer gun for the prairies. - dan
6.5wsm
I am not sure the 6.5WSM is nipping at the heels of a 6.5-284, for practical purposes I think they are equivalent, my 6.5WSM, based on the 270WSM brass, and a Rem700 SA can turnout a 139gn Lapua Scenar at 3000fps, that is essentially what the 6.5-284's are getting.
I am not sure the 6.5WSM is nipping at the heels of a 6.5-284, for practical purposes I think they are equivalent, my 6.5WSM, based on the 270WSM brass, and a Rem700 SA can turnout a 139gn Lapua Scenar at 3000fps, that is essentially what the 6.5-284's are getting.
Good to know. Anybody have a Remmy Short action? I just sold my last one
If you are planning to load 140gr bullets in a magazine or seat them long so as not to use the powder capacity to store the base of the bullet, use a long action for the 6.5/284. I have to remove my bolt to take a loaded 140 gr. cartridge out of my short action Remington.
NormB
Well, again, it depends on what you want for a COL and how far out you want to sit the bullets. Within the design spec of the cartridge (ie: 2.8" COL) a short action works fine. You can even open up the mag box and the receiver a bit to allow 3.2" or so for COL (I've done this on 600s/660s/700s) for 284 based cartridges. My 7mm mountain rifle is a 284 built on a Rem 600, and it allows me a COL of 3.15" with 140 gr bullets. I'm surprised at only 3000 fps with 140s in the 6.5 WSM, you have a fair bit more case capacity there, I would expect to see something very close to the 264 Win, based on that alone. Another thing to keep in mind is that most competition 6.5-284s that I've seen used longer barrels (28"-32") which will also gain you velocity, so perhaps that is having some effect as well. - dan
My 6.8-270 WSM has a 27 inch bbl, yes there is room for more powder and you can push it faster if you wish (~3150-3200fps). The load I quoted was optimized for the 139gn Lapua Scenar, this was the optimum load for accuracy, there is probably another node higher up, but this is a match load and the only thing more powder will do is burn my bbl. With 140gn Naturalis RN I get a similar velocity with groups acceptable, averaging .5moa, given the low BC of these bullets I expect they will have more wind drift, but for hunting purposes the drift will not likely make a practical difference.
I like the idea of the 6.5 WSM, but I also like the idea of Lapua brass and how well some of the better 'match' bullets (Bergers) perform on game at reasonable velocity. That and I need less than 60 grs of powder to get a 140gr bullet doing 2900fps, and that makes me happy. I think I am going to drop a line on a Stiller Predator. Hope they get some in soon. Next question.....Gaillard or Lilja?
6mm Shooter
CGN Regular
- Location
- White City, SK
Why not just buy a Savage and screw on a barrel. It is cheaper, quicker and you can do it yourself.
Ugly is as ugly does, I think. - dan
Flem,
Been looking into this whole 6.5 X 284 thing a little deeper.
There is one thing and one only that concerns me... Barrel Life.
From the reading I have been doing, we can expect around 1500 rounds of accurate barrel life.
Anyone care to comment on this? Is 1500 over or underrated?
What about a 7mm WSM?
160gr @ 3000
180gr @ 2850
sounds like a viable contender to me.
Been looking into this whole 6.5 X 284 thing a little deeper.
There is one thing and one only that concerns me... Barrel Life.
From the reading I have been doing, we can expect around 1500 rounds of accurate barrel life.
Anyone care to comment on this? Is 1500 over or underrated?
What about a 7mm WSM?
160gr @ 3000
180gr @ 2850
sounds like a viable contender to me.
Define "accurate barrel life"
If you're talking match-winning sub .25MOA accuracy at long distance, yeah, that's about right - maybe even less. 1000 rounds is what you should probably count on.
Accuracy is a continuum and it will start to drop-off with the occasional flyer or groups opening up a tad. Certainly good enough for most varmint hunting, sheep hunting and long range plinking.
The barrel is not toast after 1000 - 1500 rounds, only the throat. Once it is set-back it is good to go.
I personally think R-338-W is on the right track with using all top drawer reloading components, others will not agree. The cartridge in good components is a screamer.
I think 6.5X284 is to 600-1000 yards what 6PPC is to 200. With the right twist, bullets and operator, it is a calibre to be reckoned with.
I also have to toss my vote for the ubiquitous 6.5X55. A fantastic cartridge that can nip at the heels of the *.284 with a far less ravenous appetite for barrels.
If you're talking match-winning sub .25MOA accuracy at long distance, yeah, that's about right - maybe even less. 1000 rounds is what you should probably count on.
Accuracy is a continuum and it will start to drop-off with the occasional flyer or groups opening up a tad. Certainly good enough for most varmint hunting, sheep hunting and long range plinking.
The barrel is not toast after 1000 - 1500 rounds, only the throat. Once it is set-back it is good to go.
I personally think R-338-W is on the right track with using all top drawer reloading components, others will not agree. The cartridge in good components is a screamer.
I think 6.5X284 is to 600-1000 yards what 6PPC is to 200. With the right twist, bullets and operator, it is a calibre to be reckoned with.
I also have to toss my vote for the ubiquitous 6.5X55. A fantastic cartridge that can nip at the heels of the *.284 with a far less ravenous appetite for barrels.
T,
I think that the reason for the 'short' barrel life is probably the cartridge being slightly over bore. The WSM is exactly the same kitten plus a little (I did the math
)) so I really don't expect any difference. The rifle should reasonably have at least 5000 rounds of sub MOA (likley .75 MOA), and we both know at that we will be happy to tinker with a new barrel by then. I still think 54gr of powder with the 140 Berger is a better cat than 66gr to move 20 more grains at the same pace. Remember how many rounds I bounced down my .270 and it still shot .75 with no rifling for the first .5 inch. I say we giver a whirl.T,
I think that the reason for the 'short' barrel life is probably the cartridge being slightly over bore. The WSM is exactly the same kitten plus a little (I did the math
I do not think that there is an appreciable difference between 6.5-284, 6.5-270WSM, or 7mm WSM as far as 'match < .25moa' bbl life is concerned. When I was researching my 6.5-270 WSM I spoke to 1000 champion in the US, he said his 7mm WSM needed a bbl change at 1000 rounds. But for hunting the rifle should be good to go, for a match bbl setting back is sometimes not an option becuase you loose some length, and these rifles are designed for ultimate accuracy and the guys who shoot them will often simply replace the bbl.
I think that we are set on the 6.5 X 284 NORMA. Even with a short action and a 24 inch barrell we should be around 2900fps with 140's. The destinction between match accuracy and hunting performance is a very important one to make. A barell that a compitition shooter changes every thousand rounds will likely last us 2-3 thousand.
The question is Which Barell maker.
The question is Which Barell maker.
I know guys shooting this caliber for F Class claiming 2940-3000fps out of 30 inch barrels. 2900 fps out of a 24 inch tube may be optimistic OR they are BSing me on their velocities.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
Nope, thawt's about right for velocity.
I've run both, and had paul Reibin build me a 6.5WSM when the case first came out.
Old badger had one also, and we out a fair bunch of powder down mine with a 28" barrel.
OB shot his just a bit then noticed something else shiny!
I owned both rifles for a bit, and although I love the 6.5WSM and you can get better brass life at the same velocities than you can with the 6.5X284, I think the 6.5X284 is a tad more efficient at burning powder.
Retumbo can reall make a 140 Alberta Wildcat smoke down the range though!
Both are accurate, but the 6.5X284 is a bit easier to load for also.
Cat
6mm Shooter
CGN Regular
- Location
- White City, SK
The reason most guys with the 6.5-284 only shoot at around 2900fps with the 140's is because that is the velocity at which they get their best accurracy and brass life. The round is capable of pushing it a few hundred fps faster in a 28" barrel.
Rem338, I know what you saying about the Savages but they are excellent shooters and are a good way to try out rounds like th 6.5-284 before going and spending $3000 on a custom rig. That being said I am having my Savage 6.5-284 replaced right now with a Stiller TAC 30 single shot action , Krieger barrel, Shilen trigger, And Mcmillan A2 stock.
Rem338, I know what you saying about the Savages but they are excellent shooters and are a good way to try out rounds like th 6.5-284 before going and spending $3000 on a custom rig. That being said I am having my Savage 6.5-284 replaced right now with a Stiller TAC 30 single shot action , Krieger barrel, Shilen trigger, And Mcmillan A2 stock.
