OK, decided on the barrel, action and stock for my upcoming rifle project, now to decide on calibre and have narrowed it down to the 2 above. Trouble is now I can't decide. I was initially going to go with the 7mm WSM but I'm seriously considering the 6.5 x 284. I like the 6.5 because of the good selection of bullets with high BC. But I'm also thinking about the 7mm WSM because of its long range ability. I guess also the 6.5 will have a little less recoil though thats not a concern. I'd have 24inch tubes on both.

All thoughts appreciated.

Cheers,

Michael.

Your two choices require different bolt faces.....so which action have you decided to use.....that might solve the decision quickly.

MRC, there is a brand new one for sale locally. Its a .308 bolt face, R/H short action. I can also get hold of the Magnum bolt face as well. So the action is not a concern as you can see.

Is that MRC short action just as short as a Rem 700 short? In that case I would say that both tha 6,5-284 and the 7mm is a bit too long to function..
You would have to seat the GOOD long bullets too far down in the case. Reducing space, increasing pressure..
A 280 in a long action or a 6,5x55 in an intermediate action would be my choice. Long barrel life, efficient with medium to slow burning powders. AND very accurate

m

No the MRC has an internal mag box of just over 3.1 inches, it is probably more of an intermediate than short action.

I owned a 300wsm M700 Boone and Crockett with one of those 2.850 inch mag boxes. Accurate, but I didn't care for the short mag box and had feeding issues so got rid of it in the end. The MRC 'Short' magnum action was actually designed specifically for WSM's. As much as i like the M700, to get it to work for WSMs or sharp shouldered cases is alot of work and expense as I understand.

Ok. then it may function well with both.
3.1 inches = 78.4 mm. that is too short for a x55.. It requires about 81-82mm magazine lengt to work with high bc bullets

m

I'd definitely go with a 270 Winchester.

quote:

Originally posted by kiwiwildcat:
MRC, there is a brand new one for sale locally. Its a .308 bolt face, R/H short action. I can also get hold of the Magnum bolt face as well. So the action is not a concern as you can see.

The SAAMI OAL on the 6.5x284 Norma is 3.310". I'm not sure about have one shorter(action) as you may not benefit with the longer VLD bullets. I'd get on here http://www.6mmbr.com/index.html and ask the guys on that forum alot of them have or are shooting the 6.5x284. From everything on that site alot are switching over to 7mm.

What about a 6.5 WSM...have your case and eat it to...

LUCK

7 wizzm

Better barrel life

Great bullet availability

Go Creedmoor if you want a sweet 6.5

According to norma rl manual 6,5*284 with nosler partition 140gr, 3,031"
nosler ball. tip 120gr, 3,031
oryx 156gr, 2,9"
Sierra Super match 140gr 3,083

You are right about the MRC "short" really being more an "intermediate". That is the advantage of that action. The action is otherwise pretty serviceable, good safety, non-rotating extractor, not particularly light (if you care about such matters).

Regarding caliber, for me a lot would depend on your intended usage - if for hunting purpose, on what type of animals, and is tracking via blood spoor an important issue?? I have come to realize that bullet frontal diameter does make a difference in how much blood you can expect on the ground, should you need to track your critter after the deed. If, you hunt in wide open country (like above the tree line on the South Island, say), this is probably less of an issue. But if you are in the woods, a blood spoor can be really important.

Of the two calibers you mention, apart from issues of blood tracking, I would personally prefer the 6.5x284. It is just a great caliber, Lapua brass is available (the best!), and you can fit more shells in the magazine. I'm not that keen on the WSM cases, although they can be made to feed correctly - also out of an MRC action. Note, though, if you go with a WSM case, you'll need the correct mag box for that case, not just a magnum bolt face.

If it was my project and I was looking at a .284 cal bullet out of a short MRC action, I think I would look at the original .284 Win (if brass is available?) or a 7x57 before I would go with the 7mm WSM. I just like the other cases better - easier to get to feed, yet performance can be stellar.

- mike

quote:

Originally posted by Nordic2:
According to norma rl manual 6,5*284 with nosler partition 140gr, 3,031"
nosler ball. tip 120gr, 3,031
oryx 156gr, 2,9"
Sierra Super match 140gr 3,083

this is wha's being loaded 6.5x28Norma here
http://www.6mmbr.com/sixfive284.html

As you see OAL is 3.228" and reason for the SAAMI 6.5x284 Norma factory ammo is being made.

Have no hunting experience with either cartridge, but do in actual shooting as in long range matches,600-1000yds. Not suggesting those distances on game, but only to point out that the 6.5x284 is a superb long range caliber at those distances. As you pointed out excellent selection of bullets and the Lapua brass is second to none on quality and is avaialble. Whether either cartidge survives over the next 20 years or so is unknown, but would bet the 6.5/284 only becomes more popular over time. JMO

Split the difference and get the 284 Win.

quote:

Originally posted by Clem:
Split the difference and get the 284 Win.

Exacto!
There has been a revival of the 284 thanks to Lapua and long range target shooters are taking notice and winning. Less recoil than a wsm and less barrel wear. The 7mm has an awesome bullet selection.

Of the 6.5s I would (did) pick the Lapua...
Of the short magnums, I would pick the 7SAUM...
but depending what you want to use it for, I would not discount the .280AI...

Well I would discount the AI, I have all of the above, or had I should say, gave away the 7 WSM. I liked it btw, but it was more picky to load for, and my buddy like the rig a lot. My 280 AI's have been picky to load for as well, in comparison to my 4 6.5x284's. All of my 6.5x284's feed like butter, shoot VERY accurately, and kill the heck out of big game, all the way up to super big (400ish lb) hogs.

The WSM's are fine in my camp, but if I had it to do over again, I would own 1 300 wsm and 2 270 WSM's and that would be it--I've got more than a sane person needs now!!! My 6.5x284's ??
Love them all. If just hunting with it though, someone else already said it, 270 WIN!!!

An unfired mint condition Kimber 8400 in 7mm WSM has just turned up at the gunshop where I buy all my shooting supplies. Just put a down payment on it. It was just too good a deal to turn down.

To get a mint condition unfired Kimber in 7mm WSM here in NZ is rare, since Kimber stopped offering that chambering. I'll be loading the GS Custom 116gr in this, they have a seriously good BC of .468 (I get these projectiles at a wholesale price). I'm hearing just how effective these bullets are from a number of shooters.

Now I just need to sort the scope.

Cheers,

Michael.

I kept my to a 6.5/06 because I had the original model 70 in the 06 caliber. I would pick the 6.5/284 because it does have a long track record for being accurate out those 1000 yard shoots, not to mention easy on the shoulder as far as recoil goes.

quote:

Originally posted by ForrestB:
I'd definitely go with a 270 Winchester.

Agree! If you want to build a gun, here's a nice place to start (just found it on gunbroker, I have no connection with it)

http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti....aspx?Item=221645215

Good luck!

I have a Winchester M70 in 7WSM,it is a real shooter. That said, although I don't need one I really want a 6.5-284. One never has enough calibers. The earlier suggestion about a 6.5WSM has a lot of merit(IMHO).

quote:

Originally posted by kiwiwildcat:
OK, decided on the barrel, action and stock for my upcoming rifle project, now to decide on calibre and have narrowed it down to the 2 above. Trouble is now I can't decide. I was initially going to go with the 7mm WSM but I'm seriously considering the 6.5 x 284. I like the 6.5 because of the good selection of bullets with high BC. But I'm also thinking about the 7mm WSM because of its long range ability. I guess also the 6.5 will have a little less recoil though thats not a concern. I'd have 24inch tubes on both.

All thoughts appreciated.

Cheers,

Michael.

To be blunt they are both idiotic choices.

"Different" in chambering is usually only "different"

And different isn't necissarily "better"

For my money "exotic" is building a 6mmRem
(aka 6x57) on a LONG action.

Rather than ANYTHING x-284 I'd be more inclined to limit the choice to either a 260Rem (if you want a 6.5) or a 7mm-08 (if you want a 7mm)

Do you honestly think anything "exotic" will kill deer any deader?

AD

quote:

To be blunt they are both idiotic choices.

"Different" in chambering is usually only "different"

And different isn't necissarily "better"

For my money "exotic" is building a 6mmRem
(aka 6x57) on a LONG action.

Rather than ANYTHING x-284 I'd be more inclined to limit the choice to either a 260Rem (if you want a 6.5) or a 7mm-08 (if you want a 7mm)

Do you honestly think anything "exotic" will kill deer any deader?

Actually AD you are totally incorrect.

Hunting in New Zealand is completely different to where you hunt. The 7mm Rem Mag is a very popular choice here in New Zealand, and the ability to have a cartridge that delivers 7mm Rem Mag ballistics from a short actioned light rifle is close to being as optimum.

But then what the f*&k would I know since i'm obviously the kind of person who makes idiotic choices.