6.5/284???

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One Lung Wonder

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What the hell is that? Do any of you boys shoot this calibre?

I notice that the fellas at Prophet River have some heavy barrelled No. 1's for sale in 6.5/.284 and now I've got gun fever again. I had one of these guns in 25-06 years ago and that beast would put its shots in 1/2~3/4" groups all day long and twice again on Sundays! I dunno how many pounds of powder went down that gun's gullet but I shot it for years. One day the groups opened up and the velocities fell off...and my dream machine and I parted ways. I gave it to a young fella just starting out and although it doesn't shoot like it once did...it is still good enough for deer.

It's been a lonely journey, trying to replace that gun. Oh sure - you can buy plastic bolt guns right out of the box that will shoot as good or better...and probably for less money too. But that old Ruger had soul. That thing shot coyotes, the World Record SMALLEST white tailed deer (some ignorant cretins I hunted with are claiming I actually shot a Chihuahua to this day). I lost count of the offers from other gun geeks to buy it...

If any of you have first hand experience with this calibre - or even any lies you would like to tell about YOUR Ruger No. 1's ... this is the place to do it! Your two cents are, as always, sincerely appreciated.
 
I took my #1 in 9.3x74 out yesterday for my first trial run on it, and I can definitely see hanging on to it until I'm in the ground. I grew up shooting my dads #1 in 7mm mag and I fell in love with the style the first time I picked it up. So happy to finally have one of my own! Sorry I don't have any info to add about that caliber, but you asked for my 2 cents, and that's what I got :)
 
6.5x284 is also referred to as 6.5 Norma. It started out as a wildcat round that used a the case of .284 Winchester and 6.5 bullet. It was supposed to be an improved 6.5x55, some reamer manufacturers will list tooling as 6.5x55 Norma. The 6.5x284 has a larger case capacity compared to the 6.5x55 and loads result in a 10% to 15% higher muzzle velocities. Like all 6.5, the 6.5x284 offers nearly optimum trajectories. The round was popular with f-class open shooters, but it seems to be falling out over favour and being replaced by 7mm magnums. The 6.5x284 is considered a barrel burner, I have stuck with the 6.5x55 Swede. I believe finding ammunition can be a problem. I know Lapua and Norma do offer factory loads, but you rarely see them. But brass is available and tends to be pricey. If you're not into reloading, I would stay away.
 
Its no more of a barrel burner than his 25-06 was.

Less than 3gr capacity difference, and the 25 bore is smaller.
 
I have one
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It's the favourite on Best of the West ;)

A speedy little 6.5....what's not to like. If you are looking for a long-range 6.5, it's definitely worth a look.
 
I built one in about 1980 on a 600 action as an ultralight sheep rifle. David Gentry converted it to left hand for me. I used it on sheep, deer, elk caribou and moose successfully. I sold it a few years ago as I no longer need a walking around rifle with a blind magazine.
It would push a 140 gr partition at 3000 out of a 22" barrel. It was a great rifle for its intended use.
Neil
 
Well I was reading on Accurate Shooter that the long range geeks consider it a barrel burner...but I burned up my 25-06 too, I suppose. What's brass and dies like for availability...?
 
hoytcanon said:
Nifty cartridge, but I'm sticking with .260 and 6.5X55... they work perfectly for my needs.
Click to expand...

I am not a calibre snob, Hoyt and would tend to agree with you. I just want a new No.1 in a good deer calibre and the ones you listed aren't an option! (Dammit).

I am curious though...is there any point to having a .260 AND the 6.5x55? Aren't they ballistic clones, more or less?
 
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