it seems some say the 6.5x284 is too long for a short action and some say hogwash...what is the best (within reason of price) short action and magazine to do the 6.5x284 on? i like the idea of the 260 gr bullets for hunting and the 130 and 140's for hunting/long distance paper punching ( it seems the scirocco 2's can do this with its above 570 b.c. )

the 5lb kimber 84m montana in 260 rem seems like a dream but to do a 284 version it dont with its magazine length limit of 2.8".

http://www.kimberamerica.com/rifles/84m/

so another question is...do a 6.5x284 on an 06 action or do a 6.5-06???

i am confounded

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/...=749109574#749109574

found lots of good info here...

will 160's at 2900 fps create much barrel burning??? it seems over 2800 you seriously cut barrel life.

i like the 260 all except for its inability to push 160's

Boom Stick, I shoot a 6.5/284 on a Rem 700 SA. It is too short to load bullets over about 125 Nosler Partition for magazine feed. I set the rifle up for LR Pdogs and the cartridge is totaly awesome for that purpose. I also believe that the 6.5's 140 weight are more than enough for a heck of a pile of game. I would if building a hunting rifle go long action and the 6.5/06.

Boomie,

Donnelly's book says the 6.5x55 Swede case is 2.165" long, and the 6.5x284 case is 2.160" long.
Just buy a CZ 550 Medium in 6.5x55 and have it rechambered. .005" isn't enough to bother with, and for a hunting rifle that bit of freebore is nothing! You will enjoy the set-trigger too.

Rich
DRSS

i like the cz but isnt it a 20" barrel and a long action? isnt it the same action as the 9,3x62???

i must say i do love the classicness it provides... wouldnt it do better as a 6.5-06???

p.s. you are right...that would be a great rechamber if it were a short action or a true mid size action

what burns my barrel is the reloading manuals give about the same performance for the 6.5x284 as the 260

they should be at least another 150 fps over the 260 in the 140's...

I honestly believe with an AI version, you will get VERY similar speed with 260 vs 284.

Call Sierra and talk with them, the 260 and AI version keeps the 140-142 class in the 'sweet spot' as far as accuracy, and more speed has an inverse relationship with accuracy.

If you NEED 50-150 fps go 284 264 or '06 or similar.

If you want plenty of performance for most chores, I don't think a 284 gives you that much incremental gain, esp. in a longer barrel where both get their potential.

What needs killing that a 160 must be used, that a good 129-140 won't handle? Perhaps a larger bore and case is in need if so. Nothing wrong with 160's, but a good bullet lighter is nothing to sneeze at in 6.5.

Remember, Jack O'Conner killed moose, grizzly and more with a 130gr partition....in 270. Shot placement on larger game is needed. Re; trajectory, a range finder and mil-dot or target knobs are in order.......or stalk closer.

I just can't see giving up half my barrel life for 50 yds more PBR

Hey boom stick just my 2 cents worth. Took my Rem 700 LA to the smith and having a 6.5/284 built. He is a 6.5 FREAK and said go with the 6.5/284 over the 6.5/06. I think his only reasoning behind that was the preformed factory brass, which I will second that point. I like the idea of building it on a long action as i dont have to worry about magazine length. Just my 2 cents.

I did my 6.5x06 on a long action and if I did a 6.5x284 I'd used a long action. If I built another 6.5 today, it would be a 6.5x270 for a bit longer neck and I don't own a 270 rifle. Just make many cases from 270 cases and that involves lots of trimming. I also own a 25x06 so there could be confussion there and have a 30x06. Like the 280 but you don't have to work 270 cases as much necking them down. Make ssure if your going to use heavy bullet's that you get a 1-8" twist barrel.

Now from the real truth dept. My 6.5x06 does not really run off and leave my 6.5x55!

I agree with the ones that say the best short action for a 284 is a long action. I really hate filling a case with extra bullet instead of powder.

I agree, if a 284 base, use a long action, also there is/was a 6.5/64 Brenneke based on 270 case, factory brass and perhaps ammo was made at one time. There is good brass for the 284, I hear WW necked down is better than Norma or Lapua or whoever makes the 'premium' 284 base brass.

I can tell you I have heard many people say that in a long barrel you get very close to similar velocities.

There really are no 'bad' 6.5's in my mind, but there are many degrees of barrel life. I can tell you a local competitive shooter that uses a 260AI short action on Surgeon or Sturgeon action I believe, gets about 3000 with 140-142 using about a 26" barrel. He also said he shot out 2 barrels already, getting about 1500 or so maybe 2k rounds each, but he shoots many rapid shots heating a barrel up in a tactical style match. I can only imagine a 284 or WSM case or similar is far worse. It's all in what you want.

Good luck in your decision. I'd seriously look at drop differences at 400-500 yds and further, between say 2800 vs 3000. I don't think there would be many 'clicks' difference nor ft. lbs. Set back and rechamber can give you more life if you want, at a price by a gunsmith.

The April 2007 issue of Shooting Times has a artical titled Handloading The 6.5-284 . There is also some info about action length. I was thinking about haveing a 6MM-284 built but now I would go for the 6.5 wildcat.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=977063



quality cartridge and a2 makes 6.5-06 brass...

it seems the 260 a.i. might do "o.k.' with 160's and might be a happy medium...

it is hard to decide on best vs cost, convenience and performance on this one...

i just love the idea of a b.r./hunting gun in a good handling light rig...absolute nirvana

If I wanted a 6.5 x 284 and use 140 grain match bullets.. I'd pick a mauser action...long that a Rem short action, but a little shorter than the Rem Long action...
I have a couple of candidates around here, that sounds like a good idea on...

Make it simple on yourself, just buy a 6.5X55 in a modern action and be done with it, none of the above mentioned rounds will leave it behind

quote:

Originally posted by fgulla:
Make it simple on yourself, just buy a 6.5X55 in a modern action and be done with it, none of the above mentioned rounds will leave it behind

That sure would avoid any headaches! If you can live with a half inch more bolt draw/couple ounces extra weight, it is very hard to beat. I do like short actions, but I love the x55 cartridge. In a long barrel it will sing.

On the 270 version, go here:

http://www.loaddata.com/members/search_printable.cfm?me...icid=468&MW=&PM=&PT=

You can take a 700 SA or a M7 and cut the bolt stop back and take a LA box and reform it and make a ??/284 work fine in a Rem SA. I have a 6/284 on M7 made as I am describing that works super.

If ya wanna be different...

www.noveskerifleworks.com/

John Noveske is a local guy here who builds ARs... and has built some AR10s chambered in 6.5 x 284... if you feel the need for some firepower!

24 inch, heavy stainless barrel...impress your friends.. terrorize the hell out of coyotes and prairie dogs..

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 6.5BR:

I can tell you a local competitive shooter that uses a 260AI short action on Surgeon or Sturgeon action I believe, gets about 3000 with 140-142 using about a 26" barrel. He also said he shot out 2 barrels already, getting about 1500 or so maybe 2k rounds each, if you want, QUOTE]

I'm not sure how your buddy gets 3K w/ a 142grSMK from his 26"bbl. My .260ai has a 27"bbl. & I can get 2850fps w/ compressed loads of 7828ssc but 3K, that's gonna bend something fpr sure. Still, it's a great little round & I think you could still get 2800fps w/ a 23" hunting bbl. on a SA.
I would use a Mauser lenth or std. action for a 6.5x284 too.

The Remington 700s have a center screw hole at the rear of the magazine well that can be milled away making room to lengthen the magazine box.

quote:

Originally posted by fredj338:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by 6.5BR:

I can tell you a local competitive shooter that uses a 260AI short action on Surgeon or Sturgeon action I believe, gets about 3000 with 140-142 using about a 26" barrel. He also said he shot out 2 barrels already, getting about 1500 or so maybe 2k rounds each, if you want, QUOTE]

I'm not sure how your buddy gets 3K w/ a 142grSMK from his 26"bbl. My .260ai has a 27"bbl. & I can get 2850fps w/ compressed loads of 7828ssc but 3K, that's gonna bend something fpr sure. Still, it's a great little round & I think you could still get 2800fps w/ a 23" hunting bbl. on a SA.
I would use a Mauser lenth or std. action for a 6.5x284 too.

Hey Fred, he may have a fast barrel? I don't know, but I sat on the plane with him on the way to the Shot Show, he is a national pistol champion, and I don't think he BS people. Also, it is possible he is using different brass, I'll ask about his brass and loads next time I see him. He may seat bullets out further than you adding case capacity in his action....just some guesses. Perhaps it could be 2950 or more and he 'rounds up' but in any case, I will try to get details and ask about loads, and double check he has chrono'd the loads. He shoots actually come to think about it, I believe out to at least 1000 if not even 1300 yards in a tactical shoot. Saw his pic at a shoot like Raton or somewhere in a magazine on the newstand. I don't think he is 'hot-rodding' it but I can see where 2900-2950 would seem to be the limit as the non-AI version should do 2800 or a tad more with long barrel. He may be shooting a 28", he did say he likes long barrel to minimize barrel movement in recoil to get faster repeat shots/sight acquisition.

Mine is on a 1903A3 action.

My 27" Hart can barely give me 3,000 ft/secs with the 142grs & 6.5/284 and they are maximum loads to be sure.

I do believe you get 'diminishing returns' in small bores when upping powder burned in larger cases, so not withstanding the expansion ratio being low, but the long bearing surfaced bullets and fast twist, there is a low Return on investment if you will as you continue to increase case size in this bore.

I think most people feel a 284 is the largest case they want to use, likely equalling a '06 case, but a WSM has been done, and I BELIEVE they are worse than 6.5/284 for barrel life.

Putting a longer barrel on say 6.5x55 or 260 would surprise some in what it they can achieve, w/o adding powder and lowering barrel life.