I've been kicking around an idea and think this may be the place to get some good opinions. I've spent the past few years playing with the speedy rifles and the long distance shooting but I'm reaching the conclusion that these are not the most practical for the shooting that I really enjoy. I want to build or buy a short barrel (20")rifle capable of taking elk, usable for antelope and mule deer, and light enough to carry for sheep and Rky. Mtn. goat.
I am looking for somthing a little out of the ordinary. I have the 308's and the 7-08. My 264 win. is a great hunting rifle but is a little too long in the barrel to be quick handling. Do you think the 284 win would be a good choice for what I'm looking for? What will work well in a 20" barrel? This rifle will be a using gun and be carried in a scabard horseback so pretty isn't too important.

I want to keep good accuracy as some of the shots at antelope can get out there to 500 yds. plus. As for elk, I've never had to shoot past 150yds. I haven't been able to hunt sheep or goats yet, but thats a dream I plan on living one of these days.

My son uses a .284 Win in a Ruger M77 flat bolt with a 22" barrel. It shoots Speer 130 grain bullets for Deer and Antelope at 3125 fps which shoots very flat and shoots 150 grain bullets very accurately too. He has taken 2 Elk, 4 Mule Deer and 2 or 3 antelope with it.
.284 has worked very well for him and we've found it to be easy to load for. I don't think 2" of barrel will make much difference to you.
Good choice on something just one off of mainstream.

6.5-284 or 6.5-06.

The 6.5 provides bullet weights from varmints to elk and velocities to match, without excessive recoil or rifle weight. The 160-gr bullet will penetrate out the other side (OR END) of most elk while the over-3000fps velocity with the lighter bullets will provide flat trajectory out to well over 500 yds.
Regards, Joe