Which one of these would be the best fit in a SA 700? Would they be close in capacity? Or would the 6.5-284 still have the edge? How long of a barrel is optimum for a case this size, I was thinking 24". What kind of speeds can be expected with the different weights?, especially the 140 gr.

Thanks. TB

todbartell,

To guess at the velocities you would get with any bullet in either cartridge would be a SWAG. To tell the truth , I really don't know, but think it would be around 100 fps to 150 fps in favor of the 6.5-284. The 6.5-284 is about identical to the 6.5-06 ballistically. I've played with the 6.5-06 and liked the cartridge very much. It was very effective on deer and antelope. After quite a bit of testing, I settled on the 125 grain Nosler Partition. The .284 case does however, have its problems. The feed rails must be altered to properly feed the case. I've never done this, but have been told that it is somewhat ticklish.

Something else I've never done, is to attempt to improve the .308 family of cases. My guess would be that there is not much to gain by doing so. The final result might be using more powder for the same results. Let us know what happens. Good luck.

Todd, I bounced this one around for awhile, as I wanted to rebarrel my M700VSSA. I decided on the .260ai because of the o/a length of the cart. It is @ my gunsmiths now along w/ a new PacNor 1-8 Sendero profile bbl. It will finish @ 27". Bill Davis, on this board, was kind enough to send me a couple of fired cases & after measureing, the actual increase in powder cap. is less than 2gr. So, will it perform close to a 6.5x.284 in a short action? When I get the rifle back & start putting loads together I'll post the results.
I think some of the increase in cap. w/ the 6.5x.284 is going to be negated a bit when you have to deap seat the longer match bullets. I hope to break 2800fps w/ a 139-142gr bullet & 3300fps w/ the 105-107gr bullets. This is going to be a heavy varmint/casual target rifle. Someday it may make a trip for a "speedgoat" but we'll see. Right now I'm busy w/ loads for my .338x74keith, very cool looking cartridge.

[ 08-18-2003, 04:41: Message edited by: fredj338 ]

Tod,
Having worked with the 6.5x284,6.5 Phantom (Lazz) and the 260 AI,the 6.5x 284 and the 6.5 Lazz are ballistic twins and will get more velocity than the 260 AI. The down side to the first two are: 6.5x284 requires the longer action to reach full potential. The 6.5 Lazz requires their very expensive (but very strong) brass but can be used successfully in a short action. What sold me on the 260 AI was the velocity vs powder used,low recoil and its use in a short action,cheap brass and most of all its accuracy with hunting bullets over the other two. Don't misunderstand,the 6.5x284 and the 6.5 Lazz are good but I happen to hit an extremely good barrel for the 260 and its a hummer! It really boils down to what you want and what you hope to accomplish. If I were going to consistently use 140gr bullets or larger then the 6.5x284 in a long action would be my choice. Bill Davis

Well

I would go for a long actions to seat out the bullets in a 6,5-284 Norma.

I would choose a 6,5-284 since it's a commercial round CIP proved by NORMA and has three good sources of correctly headstamped brass(Norma, Lapua and Hornady).
This will also give you a better secondhand value since more shooters would be interested in it. I would go for 8,5 in twist soo that you can shoot the 140 grain + missiles
Friend of mine who had two rifles in 6,5-284 NORMA had stabilisation problems with 140 grain bullets in a barrel with 1/9 twist. I would got for 25 inch barrel to get the full potentinal of the round with slow powders. Good luck

/ JOHAN

[ 08-19-2003, 14:15: Message edited by: JOHAN ]

I would agree Johan, but Todd wants to fit it in a M700SA. This really deap seats bullets in the 6.5x284. The availability of brass isn't really a problem as good .308 & .243 brass will be around for along time & forming isn't too difficult. If it was a M70 I might go w/ the longer 6.5, but the M700 is just too short.

[ 08-19-2003, 23:46: Message edited by: fredj338 ]

I am working on a little project 6.5 RSAUM in XP-100

"Cartridges of the World" shows the Norma 6.5-284 to have an OAL of 3.23 inches.....too long for a short action. You'll have to handload for a short action 6.5-284.

Barsness stated that in a 7-08AI that he got the same velocity as the regular version with 2" less barrel, so I assume the same would work for the 260.

Why not the 6,5*55ai or the 6,5*55 with max 140gr bullets it will fit in SA. So does lapua 156gr mega factory round in my Browning blr 308w.

Kimmo

Kimmo, the 6.5x54 & the 6.5x.284 are very close in length. Neither one will fit the M700SA w/o seating bullets very deep. I think the .260AI is about all you can get into the M700SA w/o extensive mods. I'll let you know how mine performs when it's done this fall.

todbartell,
I have just about finished my 260AI project but have aproached it from a different direction. FYI,using a Rem 788 action,PacNor SS #5 contour with a 1 in 11" twist,25" long. I don't plan to use bullets heavier than 100 grains so thats the reason for the slower twist. Lapua 243 brass necked up to 6.5 and fireformed.
I am fully aware that the velocity difference between the standard 260 and the Ackley version is minimal. My reason for going the Ackley route was not so much velocity increase but case life and bolt thrust reduction.
When we both have the rifles completed I would like to share info and loading data with you if you don't mind. Best regards, Ol' John

where is the problem in seating bullets very deep on 700SA with 6,5-284 cartridge?