Why would one choose to go with a custom barreled 6.5x284 when there are so many other good options, such as the 270, 6.5x55, 260, 6.5-06, 7mm08, 280, etc.? I'm actually considering having one made, but I can't yet justify why. Your help would be appreciated.

Two reasons I can think of are excellent brass, and because I want one, but heck, that can be said of them all.

Besides, I have the parts. All it needs is assembly.

KB

Because when you really want to reach way out there and get the job done, the 6.5x284 works.

quote:

Why would one choose to go with a custom barreled 6.5x284 when there are so many other good options, such as the 270, 6.5x55, 260, 6.5-06, 7mm08, 280, etc.?

Take out all the long action rounds you mention and re-ask the question.

IMO the 6.5-284 can be built on a short action....so compare it to .260, .243, 7-08, .308 and the question might answer itself.

quote:

Originally posted by Kabluewy:
Why would one choose to go with a custom barreled 6.5x284 when there are so many other good options, such as the 270, 6.5x55, 260, 6.5-06, 7mm08, 280, etc.? KB

How many long range competitions have the above cartridges won? The 6.5/284 has won a lot.......Tom

Not a full custom, but a semi-custom!
Here's my reasons

Looks like this!


Cooper model 22, Montana Varminter, 6.5 x 284

Shoots like this!

100 yds. 3 different loads







200 yds. 3 different loads







Kills stuff DRT



I say, why not!
GWB

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
Take out all the long action rounds you mention and re-ask the question.

IMO the 6.5-284 can be built on a short action.

I was kinda thinking of doing it in a long action. That way I can seat the bullets out, and have it throated accordingly.

Also, a long action is what I have. Frankly, I have avoided this cartridge because I'm so particular about feeding, and because I really like CRF actions, such as Mausers and CZs. I simply didn't want to do this cartridge on a Mauser. Just doesn't seem right somehow. It's just me - please don't argue. Also, I have gotten to the point several years ago that I don't want to mess with having a gunsmith alter feed rails, ramps and such if I can avoid it, and mostly I can avoid it by choosing the right cartridge to match the action.

But low-and-behold, I acquired a Winchester push-feed 70 in 30-06 that needs a new barrel that it can be proud of, and show off a little. Since it's a push feed, I'm thinking there will be no issues with feeding, or alteration to make it feed - if so, very little. I have always thought highly of the Winchester push feed action, and dispise the Rem 700. Again, it's just me being perculiar, so please don't argue.

I'm thinking this action all trued up, lapped etc. wearing a good quality barrel, will get all the accuracy I can stand anyway, so I don't need no stinkin 700, or its clone.

I'm kinda thinking it would be a shame to use a good push feed action on a conventional cartridge. I can't think of a better fit for that fat little rebated cartridge. Plus, maybe it's a way to create an little extra resale value, just in case.

The 70 PF comes with a 3-position safety, strong extractor, steel bottom metal, trigger that can be tuned, recoil lug on the receiver. I just like it. If I was talking about a 375, perhaps it would be a different conversation. Instead, I'm talking about zapping deer and hogs, mostly from a stand, out to 300 yards or so, aiming at Geedubya's favorite spot, right behind the ear. In Georgia it would be called a low-recoil bean field rifle.

KB

Kabluewy
If you use a long action then the original question is perfectly valid.

I'd chamber for the 6.5-06 personally in that case.....but the reason I don't have a 6.5-06 (yet) is that I really can't find a reason for it over a .270 Winchester.

Yes, I know that's a poor reason....

One can also ponder the 6.5 Gibbs! You'd be pushing the envelope of the .264 Magnum!

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
Kabluewy
If you use a long action then the original question is perfectly valid.

You'd be pushing the envelope of the .264 Magnum!

I'm very negative in attitude about the 264 Mag, and the reason is because I tried the 7 mag and didn't like it. I'm afraid that the 264 would just be more of the same stuff. The 7 mag failed because it didn't fill the niche between my 280 and my 300 WM, a spot easily inhabited by my 30-06. So, I had my 7mag rebarreled to 323 Hollis. Now there's a niche that needs filling.

I had never been a fan of the 300 WM either, until I shot my Ruger, which had been hiding in the closet for years, as a barreled action. My boss gave me an old box of Rem 180 gr factory ammo, and I threw the barreled action into a Hogue stock / full aluminum bed stock, mounted a scope, and went to the range. It was going to be a donor action, but instead it's now one of the very rare and select group of factory Ruger rifles that I've had, which is actually accurate. So far, everything I've shot through it has been reasonably accurate, and the barrel is easy to clean too. Even those damn Hornady interlock boat tails are accurate, and I have tried them in all the 30 cal rifles I've owned for years, and this is the first rifle that would shoot them well. I've got about 500 of the damn things, and can't remember how I got so many.

It's a real anomoly, and even though it burns way too much powder, it's difficult to not like an accurate rifle, especially one that will shoot around 3000 fps with a 180 gr bullet. It especially likes the 180 gr Barnes TTSX, which is ok with me. Maybe someday I'll actually find a need for that much speed, which IMO is only useful beyond 200 yds or so. To me, this 300WM kicks no more than the 7 mag, and it will do what the 7 mag does only in the imagination of its owner's dreams, or by exceeding book loads.

KB

I was wondering - does anyone have anything to say, good or bad, about the Mod 70 push feed, from personal experience. I've had only brief experience with one long action, years ago, but it seemed good to me. No custom barrel job is cheap, so the action is important.

Thanks,
KB

I've owned several....IMO they are among the finest M-70 rifles ever produced.

For some reason everyone seems to want the CRF models.....I have no problem with the CRF M-70 but the push feeds are more capable of holding an overload, feed great, shoot very well, and all in all function perfectly.

They are a great value IMO!

It's also easier to rebarrel a push feed compared to the cone breach of the CRFs

quote:

Originally posted by Kabluewy:
Why would one choose to go with a custom barreled 6.5x284 when there are so many other good options, such as the 270, 6.5x55, 260, 6.5-06, 7mm08, 280, etc.? I'm actually considering having one made, but I can't yet justify why. Your help would be appreciated.
KB

Since you are going to appreciate it; the answer is nobody else can justify it either! Whhaaaa roger

Thanks Bartsche. I'll return the favor sometime.

KB

it is YOUR money. Do what pleases you.
It is a pretty neat cartridge though. If I didn't "need" a 6.5x68 Shuler sooooooooooooo bad, I would buy a Savage and be happy.

Rich

FWIW,
Something good to say about a Winchester push feed?

here is an old Win PF, chambered in 270 win., 26" medium heavy Shilen bbl., bedded, with trigger job. Picked it up for $350 several years ago. This is one that my kids will have to get rid of when I head to the happy hunting grounds. Action is slicker than owl shit and it will shoot with any Savage. I'd swear that this one had a soul and deplored the idea of missing what it was pointed at.
Best
GWB

quote:

I'd swear that this one had a soul and deplored the idea of missing what it was pointed at.

Best description of accuracy I've heard in a long time.

Fjold: A 6.5x284 only holds 1 1/2 gr of water more than a 6.5x06. I think that you have bought into the Hype.

Regardless of the 1 1/2 grs of water, I'm pretty sure it's not about hype, which I like to avoid too. I'm thinking the 6.5-06 is still a wildcat, and the 6.5x284 is not. Also, I think the long range target shooters are choosing the x284 case for a reason.

Could be a Lapua reason.

So, as far as deciding what to have made, in 6.5mm, I'm not considering the 6.5-06, but instead the contest (for my needs) is between the 6.5x284 or the 260. Of course the 260 would be on a short action.

KB

Kabluey,
I have the 260 Rem. in a heavy bbl. sako varmint w/set trigger. It is also a shooter. If I were a better shot it would be a 1 holer at 100 yds with the 130 gr. accubonds.
Either way I don't think you can go wrong, 6.5 x 55, 260 Rem or 6.5 x 284 are all pretty nifty.
Best
GWB

It would depend on the action chosen. In a std length action, you can get quite a bit out of the 6.5x284. In a short action, the 260AI is a better fit. Then there is just the fact it's a bit diff than a 270 or 25-06.

quote:

Fjold: A 6.5x284 only holds 1 1/2 gr of water more than a 6.5x06. I think that you have bought into the Hype.

Not hype at all. With the 6.5x284 on a std action, you can load longer than a 6.5-06 & get even more vel w/ equal pressures. I would never consider one on a true short action like the M700. The long 140-142gr bullets are just seated too deeply.

Damn it, Geedubya. Now you've done it, and put the 6.5x55 in the consideration. I was trying to ignore the obvious. What makes it even more of a non-issue / no-brainer, or whatever, is that PacNor will cut the throat of the 6.5x55 any way the customer wants it, within reason. They can go full CIP, full SAAMI, or anything in-between.

Give a guy too many choices, and he may fail to make a decision at all.

Or out of pure frustration, decide he needs one of each.

KB

quote:

Originally posted by Kabluewy:
Give a guy too many choices, and he may fail to make a decision at all.
Or out of pure frustration, decide he needs one of each. KB

I think eliminating frustration is a great reason.
One for those pretty faced AK coastal deer, one for Prince of Wales black bear and another to dispatch evil dispositioned halibut and the last for a loaner. roger

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:

One for those pretty faced AK coastal deer, one for Prince of Wales black bear and another to dispatch evil dispositioned halibut and the last for a loaner. roger

My go-to sitka deer rifle is my 338 WM. Last week I got a good buck, and shot him about half way between the chin and the brisket. He was looking at me, straight on, at about 150 yards. He had that disposition of about to vanish, so I took the shot. I was surprised that he didn't just drop, but he managed about 10 feet. The bullet was a 225 gr Hornady SST. It vered off and lodged in the right ham, after passing through the gut. Seems like maybe I had better look for a bullet with better penetration.

That bullet hit so hard that it busted ribs on both sides of the deer, but passed about half way between each side, longways. There was some bloodshot meat. I usually go for head shots, but this buck was out there a ways, and I had to hurry, and this was day three of hunting without seeing another buck.

The reason I carry the 338 is because of bears, (big bears) so I'm not kidding about more penetration. I've been thinking of going to TSX bullets 210 - 225 gr, but the Hornadys are keenly accurate. With head shots, they take mostly the whole head off, into a red vapor. I only use small caliber rifles for deer hunting up here, when I'm truck or boat hunting. Bushwhacking - it's the 338 or 9.3x62, which is my first choice for black bears too.

The best halibut gun I have is my Glock 40, which for such use I load one bullet in the magazine and nothing in the chamber. I have one of those Glock plastic holsters that fit on a belt. When ready, and the halibut is besides the boat, I'll point the gun over the side, chamber the one cartridge, and pop him right in the head. I figure the glock is too dangerous to deal with more than one shell at a time, in such an exciting moment, especially if I'm the one holding the rod, and my buddy is working the Glock. So far, I've managed to avoid that situation, by handing off the rod, if I caught the fish.

This 6.5 thing is for down South hunting.

KB

The 6.5-06 isn't really a wildcat anymore. Much like the .338-06, A-Square "legitimized" it.

6.5-06 A-Square

Of course, why settle for less when you can have the 6.5x65 RWS? Not quite a Schuler and not quite a .264 WM but easy to convert a std '06 action to one.

quote:

Originally posted by Fat_Albert:
Fjold: A 6.5x284 only holds 1 1/2 gr of water more than a 6.5x06. I think that you have bought into the Hype.

At 1,000 yards, no hype.

quote:

Originally posted by Kabluewy:
I was wondering - does anyone have anything to say, good or bad, about the Mod 70 push feed, from personal experience. I've had only brief experience with one long action, years ago, but it seemed good to me. No custom barrel job is cheap, so the action is important.

Thanks,
KB

Have had nothing but good from my PF .300,,,when all the arguing about CF vs. PF got going I tested it out,,,it will feed fire and extract EVEN empty brass(well it wont fire 'em),and yes,,,even upsidedown if that is a consideration,,,has never seen a 180 it wouldn't shoot,but if you want to shoot Rem. 150's,it'll take a box to warm up with,then shoot almost as good as the 180's,,,feeds slicker than any 700 I ever owned 'cepting my 30S '06,,,no complaints