XP - What kind of velocity deviations are you seeing? The only personnal experience I have with this caliber is watching (learning) an older gentleman check some loads for an upcoming shoot a few years back. What really stuck with me, is that within 10 rounds fired his Oehler only picked up a 3fps difference. I didn't know if this was just nature of the beast with the caliber, or if his handloading techniques are/were that stellar. This is one caliber I've always had a yearning for in a specialty pistol trim.

XPHunter & Fiftydriver, I know this is not a 6.5x284 subject but on my 7BR, I'm using new cases and loading 32grns of H335 w/120 VMAX. I'm full length sizing the new cases then loading them. My problem, and it may not be a problem, is after firing I'm getting a tight bolt lift to remove the fired case. I've not been shooting the XP's long enough to know if this is normal. Primers look fine. I put a mic on the new case and fired case and they are within the specs in my Hornady manual as far as case diameters and all. I was told that this load is 1.5-2grns off max. I'm going to try 31 grns and see if that helps. Would this be a headspace problem or just a reloading quirk I need to work out.
Thanks for you time and sorry for jumping in here.

MIke

Kirby,
Thanks for the update and the brass tacks honesty. If and when I get a big boy XP that needs a stock I would love to try out your system. Plan to shoot this morning at 300 & 600 yards. Look forward to hearing more about your 6.5WSM. I can push my 6.5-284 and get around 2850 FPS+ with 52.0 grains of H-4350 and still group five shot groups @ .5 at 100 yards, but don't have the desire to run the edge.
While I got you reading, what IYHO would be the ideal 1 mile LR specialty handgun cartridge? Rear or center grip? Action(s)? Primarily bench shooting reasons mentioned here, not big game.