So, I'm a plane jane rifle guy, never interested in any "wow" factor calibers. Give me an .06, 270, and a 300 mag of some sort and call it a day.

But I'm curious, what is the difference b/w a 6.5x284 (winchester) and 6.5x284 norma?

Doc, I've been shooting the 6.5/284 Winchester for about 14 years now. The Norma version is a standardized and very slightly different case. The neck diameter is the main area which differs from the Winchester based versions. I think Clymer reamers may have case drawing on a site, compare the two and you will see.

I looked in my load books and I don't recall seeing any differences with any measurements. Just a name difference.

Doc, You may have seen this, but it is a condensed wealth of 6.5/284 knowledge.

6.5/284 FONT

I am still seeking the definitive for your question.

From Nosler bullets...

A WARNING

From Norma themselves... Norma's page

I always thought they were both the same. Lou

Bump because I love this cartridge!

quote:

Originally posted by 308Sako:
Bump because I love this cartridge!

You know, I've said in the past that I have no use for any caliber smaller than a 270. I may rethink that.

Only problem is I keep reading about short barrel life.

Doc, I've got 3, and am not seeing any undo throat erosion or other barrel issues through my Hawkeye with any of them. I tried them out because my smith's likes the BC of the 6.5 bullets, and said this was one of the 'inherently' accurate cartridges, and kind of matched up with 270 power range. I like it a lot. They have flat been a hammer on antelope, some way out there! Have taken quite a few white-tails too.

For something similar, but a little different I recommend the 6.5x284....

I don't know what reamer my smith's used, but the dies and brass all work well, Forster custom dies with micrometer seaters, and Norma, and Lapua brass, usually Norma.

Use the VV powders, and have had spectacular results with the Sicrocco and TSX.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:

quote:

Originally posted by 308Sako:
Bump because I love this cartridge!

Only problem is I keep reading about short barrel life.

Doc, mine is holding 1/3 MOA @1,400 rounds. If I had turned it back a thread at 900 I would probably have the ability to stretch it to 2,000 plus. And I load it HOT! 27" Hart 1 in 9 twist, done at Hart in NY... .294 fitted neck 142 Sierra's at 3,050 ft/secs with IMR 4831, H4831 or IMR 7828. IMR 4350 was very accurate but pressure and velocity didn't match up. When new this rifle held in the low .2's. Got my furthest Pdog at 1248 yards with it. Guide spotter claimed a double because there were two dead Pdogs when we went out there... I thought it was two seperate holds and hits. One dog at 1245, and the other at 1248... was't between the eyes though it was above the chin.

I have the Norma neck version (.296) but my chamber was cut to .474 at the shoulder and .500 at the base diameters because it was made before the Norma version was standardized. Just luckily I am only .001" smaller than Norma's nominal diameters in those areas.

After 767 rounds my throat has moved forward .026" and I loaded many of my early load development rounds pretty hot.
IIRC the Winchester neck is .300" diameter.

Well, after reading the article posted by Sako308, it looks like having only .002 clearance in the neck is a bit too snug. Even the guy who had that admitted so. Looks like .003 or even .004 larger than a loaded case may be the way to go.

I also found it very interesting that one of the shooters preferred the old Winchester brass boxed up in 20 hulls to be the most accurate-even over "LAH-pwa" or Norma.

Ok, so if I chose to build one of these rifles, I'd likely get a Jim Borden action (Alpine or Timberline, whichever is most appropriate). What smith is out there that has a lot of experience building one of these rigs that will chamber it to .0035 larger than a loaded Lapua case?

Also, I've been reading up a lot on the Broughton 5C barrels and like what I'm reading. Seems these type barrels, also including the Mike Rock 5R, work best with bullets that have longer bullet bearing surfaces (or simply, the heavier per cal bullets).

So, make recommendations, please...

Before I built my rifle I bought 100 Lapua cases and a set of Redding S type bushing dies. I experimented with neck bushings until I got to an internal diameter of .262" which gives .002" of neck tension using the 142 grain SMK. The finished loaded rounds wound up to be .292 - .2925".

I had the chamber of my rifle cut to .296 for that reason.

Doc, JB at Accuflite built 2 of mine, and Jim Brockman did the other one. Jim has a little more flexibility in making you a stock, he did a nice custom laminate for me to my specs, and is doing a walnut one currently, the lam is heavy. Both recommended +4 over loaded ammo OD, and that is what I did for the necks.

JB is damn proficient, will do a first rate job regardless of components, but will only use components he is completely comfortable with, so you would need to be in Sync with him on what the components were. Jim is more of a 'I can make anything work' kind of guy. He actaully custom made the bases for the Talley rings on the rig he built, cause he 'didn't like the way the stock talley bases worked'

A real shocker I know, but all of mine were built on Sako actions, 2 in 75's one on an 85. Number IV actions, which is the '06 length action, which both smith's recommended. The Brockman has a Lilja Barrel, the Accuflite rigs have Lothars on them. Scary accurate all three of them.

Dumped a nice antelope on the inagural hunt with Jim's rig, about 356 yards, bang flop, nice to set things in motion, it shoots the Hornady 129's and 140's really well, and the 130 gr TSX's just a little less well. 1/3 minute with the barnes, day in day out.

The JB rigs are stone shooters for sure, shoot the 120 TSX and 108 Lapua Scenars in one, and the 120 NBT's and 130 AB's in the other one. Splendid.

I find myself enjoying shooting these rigs a lot, along with my TRG, they will make you feel good about your marksmanship, they shoot good on their own!

The brass I use is the Winchester bulk purchased a good 15 years ago. The necks are turned and the cases were sorted by weight after prep and kept in their original 50 caseguards. My necks are .291 loaded and fired cases .2943 area. I'd have to guesstimate the throat erosion at .040 from the early loads. I use the Redding bushing F/L and the .288 Bushing.

Doc if you bite this bullet, I have 200 virgin Norma 6.5/284 cases in caseguards. I'll most likely be going to .260 Rem for the next adventure as mine is a short action 700.

Fish you are so right about this cartridge making you feel good about your shooting! LOL

Why go to a 260 if you are having so much success with the 6.5x284?

Is the 260 just as "sweet?"

I have a Blaser R 93 which is chambered for the 6.5 x 284 Norma. I had been trying to handload for this for sometime. I finally broke down and bought some Lapua brass in the 6.5 x 284 Norma, used their Scenar 120 grain bullet and used the loading Data from Vitavhouri and have found a very accurate combination at velocities of 3100fps in the Blaser barrel. It is very accurate and can't wait to try it out in Texas.

quote:

Originally posted by Dr L. S. Wirthlin:
I have a Blaser R 93 which is chambered for the 6.5 x 284 Norma. I had been trying to handload for this for sometime. I finally broke down and bought some Lapua brass in the 6.5 x 284 Norma, used their Scenar 120 grain bullet and used the loading Data from Vitavhouri and have found a very accurate combination at velocities of 3100fps in the Blaser barrel. It is very accurate and can't wait to try it out in Texas.

Doc, (Oops, the other Dr.) I have some Lapua Scenars (a gift) but they are listed as 123 grains. Do you know what the difference is?

The reason to consider the .260 in my case is that the Remington short action is better suited as a repeater with the .260. Also, just to shoot something different. At my current rate of consumption, the 6.5/284 will be with me for quite awhile though!

308Sako, I was going to send you a PM but was not given that option when I click your name.

How much do you want for the 200 Norma brass? Are they from the same lot? I ordered my rifle today.

Doc, you should have a PM.