Hi Folks,
I am in the process of putting together a low cost(relatively speaking) light weight "all-around" 6.5-284 Norma (Chambered to use the Blacks Hills "factory ammo") rifle for use on whitetails, black bears, elk etc and need some well informed opinions on its viability.

I plan on using the Savage action as the basis so I can do the majority/all of the work myself.

Here are my preliminary specs and projected costs.

Savage 110 action--long version (long to eliminate many/all of the bullet seating issues) $225.00

Pac-Nor prefit barrel #1 contour 22 inches long $280.00

Sharp Shooter Supply Trigger $85.00

Sharp Shooter Supply Feather-weight sporter stock
$185.00
MIscellaneous Gunsmithing charges (i.e. squaring action, opening feed rails etc.) $200

Total Projected cost : $975.00
Total gun weight is projected at 7.5-8lbs field ready.

I also need input on scopes. Right now I am leaning toward a 2.5-8x Leupold or a Nikon 1.5-6x Monarch Gold w/ 30MM tube.

Additionally, does anyone have any actual field experience with the 6.5-284 on game. I am currently planning on using the Hornady 129 grain SST on Deer-sized the 140 grain Partition, X-bullet or other premium slugs on Bear and Elk.

How does the 6.5-284 Norma in its Black Hills ammo form differ from a 6.5-284Win. round? Anything significant or mostly things like tight neck etc.?
Thanks for the input,

HBB

[ 05-26-2003, 17:50: Message edited by: hillbillybear ]

Nice project HBB. By all means go with the Leupold scope though.

Mr. Bear, the 6.5/284 is becoming more and more popular back home in Iceland as an "all round" hunting cartridge. It has inherent precision and is flat shooting as well plus the good characteristics of the 6.5 bullet (BC and SD).

Regards

hillbillybear

I would make that barrel 24 inhces to get some better velocity with the 140 grainers

Black hills ammo is made on norma brass, make usre that you gun i cambersd with a reamer that is 6,5-284 NORMA, they standardized the round.

Good luck and keep us posted

/ JOHAN

The 6.5-284 Norma is great. It worked wonders on the Kansas whitetails. Mine is a Mauser wearing a 26" Douglas barrel. I had the reamer set up for the 140 grain bullets and mine shoots them all well. The 140g Hornady SST is the current hunting round and it works well. I'd use a 24" barrel at least through otherwise you'd might as well have a 6.5 Swede. Good luck with the project. Cheers, Jason

I have a 16" 6.5-284 Win. XP-100, and used that bullet on a 300 yd. Bighorn ram, and 330 yd. cow elk last season with excellent results. BUT take a good look at the new Accubond, and Interbond bullets. The Interbonds have the highest B.C.'s available for a factory-made controlled expansion bullet available. If I were to do it all over again I'd go with a big .27, .28, or .30 cal.

Makes sense only if you want to use a short action.

A 6.5-06 will fit the long Savage action without need of altering the feed rails, and the magazine will likely hold one more of the '06-based rounds than the fatter .284-based rounds. The 6.5-06 has a tad more case capacity, so you can get the same ballistics with less pressure, or a tiny bit more velocity with the same pressure.

Let me repeat: There is no advantage to the 6.5-284 over the 6.5-06 if you intend to use a long action (and there is the disadvantage of the required action work, less magazine capacity, and higher priced brass).

Sorry, double tap

/ JOHAN

[ 05-31-2003, 03:35: Message edited by: JOHAN ]

Hillbilly Bear:

Check velocities on the 6.5/284 in the Nosler Manual #5 with those possible in the 260, or the 6.5/06.

Brass is more expensive for the 6.5/284 than either the '06 brass or the 260 brass ( or if the cartridge sales go cold and brass is not made, you can always just neck down, 7/08 or 308 or neck up 243.)

The 6.5/284 is a good cartridge, but I think the other choices negate the extra expense. Also you can only carry 3 rounds in the magazine vs 5 in a 260 or 6.5/06.

I looked at it and went with the 260 and 6.5 x55.
I give up little in velocity or accuracy and AVOID a whole lot of hassle.

seafire

Take a look in lapua or Norma loading data and you will see quite a difference

If you get a batch of Lapua or Norma brass of 250 cases it will last a long time.

I guess it's only remmy crap brass that is avilable for the 260.

One round more or less doesn't make a difference. Having a rifle with a resale value is just as important. An very exotic option would be the 6,5X65 RWS

/ JOHAN