6.5x284 Norma; are you hunting with it?

baker42

baker42

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Hey,

So I love my Blaser R8, and I see the 6.5x284 Norma is available. I see Savage also has a factory option for it.

I am long range shooter so this caliber already had my interest. Just wondering about hunting with it; what have you hunted with it; are you happy with its performance?

I realize there are other caliber out there that perform near the same that don't burn barrels or have cheaper ammo and availability. They just don't interest me at this time.

Figured here would be best place for this question

Pro Patria
 
I have hunted with the noted cartridge one two occasions where it had killed two large bodied whitetail bucks. I reload 129 grain Nosler LRAB where the bullets made a complete pass through. Distances were 150 and 250 yards. There is no intent on my part to kill at long ranges, however; this cartridge will if there was a need. Also, check out Accurateshooter.com there is a great write-up on this cartridge.
 
My sisters ex use to have a Cooper Excalibur in this cal. He shot a few deer with it near and far using the 130 accubonds. I shot a whitetail with his at just over 300 yards. It always made a clean kill and I found it easy to shoot but I never got excited about going out and buying one. No flies on the 6.5 bullet selection, his wouldn't shoot the heavier bullets but was a tack driver with the 130's. Its a cool caliber but I would prefer one of the larger 7mm mags with 180 grainers or one of the 300 mags with 200 grainers or larger for long range work if I were to get serious about it. I am playing around with the 140 accubonds in a kimber 84 L 270 win right now that get me to just over 700 yards at minimum velocity expansion for the regular accubonds. I have a box of 150 lrab for summer plinking. The 270 and the 6.5 are not big enough in my eyes to long range hunt an elk or moose with as I feel they are a bit light, you said you long range shoot already so you probably have a gun capable for those tasks.
 
Yes I have a few long rangers.

I know it has great potential for accuracy at long ranges, I don't really see it as a long range hunter in my eyes.

"Now your limit, stay within it!" is my motto for hunting. Target on the other hand, "know your limit, and push it!"

Hearing the two inside 300y is what I was looking at.
 
I hunted with one for 25 yrs. I built it as a lw sheep rifle. Also used it on deer, caribou and moose. I took 4 moose with 140 partitions and none of them even took a breath after being hit. For lighter stuff I used the 125 partitions.
 
I think it is an excellent choice of cartridge. I have two .264 WM which I have hunted with. A 140 grain Nosler Partition will easily moose and elk. While the .264 has more powder capacity, it really does not produce much more velocity. As long as you get a 26" barrel, you should get 3000 fps with a 140 in the 6.5x284 Norma. The .264 with a shorter barrel struggles to get over 3000. I am converting one of these guns to a 6.5 Rem Mag, which is almost identical to the 6.5x284. I expect to get 1200-1500 rounds out of it.

The one potential issue with the cartridge is that it is a rebated rim design, with the body bigger than the rim. This apparently makes it harder to design smooth feeding from the magazine with. So, if you are serious about getting one, checking how the gun feeds ammo from the mag would be important if it is to be used for hunting.

Lots of good bullets for it, but they are long. Make sure you get a 8 or 8.5 twist barrel, and the action/magazine is long action.

SixFive284_QDx350.jpg
 
Baker I moved on. I was getting 3000 fps with the 22" barrel. It was built as a lightweight on a 600 action. After having knees replaced I was no longer in mountain hunting and seeing as it had a blind magazine I found that I was not using it.
Neil
 
I have had the privilege of owning and working with the 6.5 Rem Mag, the 6.5/284, the 6.5/06, and the 264 Win Mag [6 of these] over the years.
They are all excellent in their own niche. For all practical purposes, the 6.5/284 and the 6.5/06 are identical in performance.
The 6.5 Rem Mag comes very, very close to those two. The 264 is in a class of it's own, but absolutely requires the longer barrel. 26" minimum, IMHO.

I was able to squeeze 3200 and pennies out of 3 of my 264 Win Mags with 140 Partitions. This make a pretty effective hunting choice.

ATM, the largest 6.5 I own is a 6.5x55AI...good for 2950+ with 140's and ½ moa accuracy. Just a great combination.
With 6.5mm rifles of one type or other, I have shot all manner of western game, right up to and including Moose and Elk. Never had reason
to complain. If your bullet choices are "hunting" only, and 140 grains or less, a 1-9" twist will serve you fine.

If you plan to shoot long range targets and will use 139-155 VLD type of bullets, you will need a 1-8" twist, at minimum.
[ I do not believe in using Berger or any other VLD type match bullets on big game at any range.]

If you build a 6.5/284, you will probably enjoy it. Dave.
 
I have a couple 6.5's (260, 6.5-284 and 26 nos) my feeling is the 6.5-284 is about the max case size for the 6.5, after that you are burning a pile of powder without making big gains. I found the 6.5-284 to be much easier to tune loads for than both the 26's I have had. Although the 26 will push a 127 lrx close to 3550fps.
I would load up a plain 140 accubond in some lapua brass and enjoy a rifle that can be used for anything up to moose at the distances you are talking about.
 
I recently purchased a Savage 111 LRH in 6.5 - .284 Norma. Has the adjustable muzzle brake and accutrigger. Nice gun! Shot it eight times after I mounted a Zeiss 3-9x42 and realized I need a more powerful scope for the potential it offers. Its sitting in my safe and I may sell it if anyone is looking...(got my eye on a Weatherby Mark V in 30-378 down at Wholesale).
 
All great info, thanks!

As to the build/twist rate/ barrel length; I'm pretty much stuck with whatever Blaser makes it.

Amazing rifle, little to no aftermarket support. Though I feel it really doesn't need it. Just means I have to subdue my wildcat bug once in awhile.
 
Ron AKA said:
Savage? Better to get a gun with the right stuff, than one specific brand that perhaps doesn't...
Click to expand...


That's like telling a Ferrari owner he is better off racing a Honda civic!

Haha I kid, and understand. I have faith in Blaser and the accuracy standards they stand behind. Being a reloader as well I can tailor my reloads to the barrel. Also only $1000 bucks for a quick change barrel that I'm already setup for with QD optic mounts beats buying and setting up a whole other rifle.
 
I shoot a 260 rem, a 260ai, and. 6.5/284
The short actions are nice lightweight carry rifles for deer with 120 gr Sierra prohunters and the 6.5/284 is a nice antelope gun shooting 130 bergers out of a light Palma barrel
 
baker42 said:
All great info, thanks!

As to the build/twist rate/ barrel length; I'm pretty much stuck with whatever Blaser makes it.

Amazing rifle, little to no aftermarket support. Though I feel it really doesn't need it. Just means I have to subdue my wildcat bug once in awhile.
Click to expand...
I've owned two Blasers in the past, the R93 Off Road and the S2 double rifle......superb firearms! I'm very sure that your new barrel for the 6.5x284 Norma will be a tack driver. If you reload, try the 129 gr. Nosler LRAB, I've achieved 1/2" and smaller groupings from this cartridge.......BTW, it's a Cooper firearm.
 
baker42 said:
Haha I kid, and understand. I have faith in Blaser and the accuracy standards they stand behind. Being a reloader as well I can tailor my reloads to the barrel. Also only $1000 bucks for a quick change barrel that I'm already setup for with QD optic mounts beats buying and setting up a whole other rifle.
Click to expand...

Form follows function. I have a beautiful looking Browning Safari Mauser that shoots like crap. The barrel is too short, too light, and the twist is too slow. If you don't check the details, you may be sorry.
 
Ron AKA said:
Form follows function. I have a beautiful looking Browning Safari Mauser that shoots like crap. The barrel is too short, too light, and the twist is too slow. If you don't check the details, you may be sorry.
Click to expand...

Have no fear mines a professional so ain't pretty;) All work horse. Like a Dino 308 GT4; ugly but still a Ferrari.

Anyway Blaser's standard barrel in 6.5x284 Norma is 220mm twist rate and 650mm length (aka 8.66inch twist, 25.59 inch length for all you heathens) I believe that falls within your listed spec?
 
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