I have several 6.5 bore rifles, a couple of 264 Win Mags [1-9" twist,] a 6.5x55 on a Remington 700 Classic with a 1-9" twist and a 6.5-06 with a 1-10' twist. These all stabilize Hunting bullets up to 140 grains without any problems. The 1-9" rifles will also shoot the 139/140 match bullets into very tiny groups right out as far as I want to shoot them. The 1-10" barrel also does well with all these bullets, but the 139/140 match bullets start to lose their stability around 800 meters. The 142 and 155 Sierra will not shoot in the 10" twist. I am building a 1000 yard rifle as we speak in 6.5-284 and have chosen a barrel with an 8" twist, to be sure. Regards, Eagleye.
Right on. That's what I was hoping to hear. I figured that if an 8.5" twist is ok for 140 gr bullets, then a 9" twist ought to be pretty darn close. Maybe not for the real long VLD bullets, but certainly enough for hunting bullets. Isn't the 6.5 Swede pretty much standard with a 9" twist? Any tips on a proper throating for the setup I'm considering? maxman
Posts: 337 | Location: Minnesota, USA | Registered: 23 December 2002
Most European rifles I have seen for 6,5X55 has 1-8 in twist. Friends of mine who has 1-9 and used them In cold weather had problem with stability(you get lower velocity with cold cartridges).
I had the same trouble when I did my 6,5-06. I asked Geoffery Kolbe who own's Border barrels. His reply was 1-8,5 or 1-8 to be sure.
6,5X55 BJ imp will not out do the -284 loaded to same pressure. I have never seen tthe fantastic use improved cartridges
maxman; I had my 6.5x55 throated so the 140 partition was just barely below the juncture of the neck and shoulder when it was touching the lands. Since it is built on a full length action, there is no problem with magazine length. I am doing the same with my 6.5-284, but with the 139 Lapua Match. Regards, Eagleye.
thanks guys. Like I said, I'm still new to the smaller calibers, so I wasn't sure what the 'standard' twist is for the 6.5mm bore. I will be building the 6.5-284 on a long action, so I think I will go with a longer throat. I'd like to have the bullet base just fill up the neck (maybe just a tad below, as eagleye noted) so as not to compromise on powder space. Has anyone found functioning or bullet retention/alignment problems with such a long stickout? Just want to make sure that the loaded rounds are not too delicate to handle field use.
On another note, would anyone be willing to make up a dummy round in 6.5-284 that I could purchase? I'd like to have one in hand as I look for actions and take measurements, etc. thanks again, maxman
Posts: 337 | Location: Minnesota, USA | Registered: 23 December 2002
Maxman, still cant get your e-mail address to work. sent you out a couple (empty)cases with bullets seated to fit my vz mauser 6.5/284. should see them soon.
Posts: 941 | Location: VT | Registered: 17 May 2001
TSJ - That e-mail address can be flakey. The PM stuff here is much better for me. I got the dummies on Saturday. Thanks a bunch. Now that I see one in person, I am sure that this is what I need to have. Seems like an ideal combination to me!
What bullet did you put in them? Do you have a measurement for either how far they are seated into the case or total bullet length? I'm just wondering what the seating depth is. thanks! maxman
Posts: 337 | Location: Minnesota, USA | Registered: 23 December 2002
Thats a 140 sierra BT seated in the case. I'd have to go and measure one for OAL. I think the bottom of the BT sticks below the junction of the neck/shoulder area. in other words, the neck is holding full dia bullet shank, not part BT. It's a loooong bullet!
Posts: 941 | Location: VT | Registered: 17 May 2001
I couldn't help myself TSJ - I pulled the bullet from one of the rounds you sent so I could see total length. My, they are long... I even tried the other complete one in my VZ24 action, and it fits the mag just right. This looks like a very good idea to me. Thanks again. maxman
Posts: 337 | Location: Minnesota, USA | Registered: 23 December 2002
Seems like an ideal combination to me! 
