trouthunter,
I have been in your position, I have a 338 Lapua and love it but but for anything under 600 yrds it is just too much, also had a 300WSM with muzzle brake kinda cool but after a day of shooting kinda got over the "magnum hangover" as I called it.
I have shot a 6.5-284 in F class BTW as quoted by MFD 3-4000 rounds from a 6.5-284 is BS there is no way in hell, 2000 if your lucky and thats with a set back after 900-1000 rounds.

So what to do, you want a calibre which is not magnum,accurate, has good down range energy, and wont beat the crap out of you. SIMPLE
284 WINCHESTER! what I now shoot in F class, as well as my medium range (out to 600 yrds) hunting rig.
It shoots a 162 Amax @ 3080 fps with no effort, it has gone to 3180fps with average accuracy,
It is super accurate, no recoil(my 11 year shoots it)longest kill to date is 823 yrds,so much for 600 yrds aye
My biggest regret is I didnt do it sooner, it is a potent little calibre!!
Only negative is the brass prep, necking up bla bla BS but once its done its done.
If you dont want that then the next best thing would be a 280 REM or 280AI.

Thought I throw in a little porn too







As you can see it does it all!!

The closest ones were the fallow deer @ 270 yrds, but both head shots.

regards RUNAS

That looks suspiciously like a Barnard, RUNAS-

Don't get much better than that.

flaco

Oh, and… yep, the 284 will shoot. Have you tried the Berger 180 Hybrid yet for F-Class?

RUNAS,
Careful now, I did not say that the 6.5x284 would get some 3-4000 rounds out of a barrel. What I did say is that "match" shooters will often shoot that many rounds in a season. You are correct that the barrel of a 6.5x284 will most likely get somewhere in the 1000 range before "going south..." I did go on to say that since the original poster is speaking of a hunting application, the short barrel life would not be an issue for him.

yes Falco its a Barnard, Is there any thing else??
NO I havent tried the 180s and never will, too expensive and from guys who have shot the 180s reckon they do beat you up just a little.
I ran the numbers on the 162 @ 3020 and 180s @ 2870 and they both have exactly the same windage @ 1000 yrds, I can push the 162s over 3100 which should in theory blitz the 180s.
I love being not in "vouge".
The new F class 284 barrel @ 1000 yrds for the first time shot a 57 out of 60 with a 12 MPH wind going left to right but changing from 9-11 oclock really quick, so its already proven its self to me as a perfect combination

MFD,you are correct, a freind of mine has rebarreled his Mod 70 in 6.5-284 and I told him the exact same thing,sadly for the limited amounts of rounds it will fire he will never wear it out.
He took some convincing after he watch mine get tossed after 971 rounds, but but but....
He also coundnt follow my logic on "losing trust" in the barrel.

RUNAS

I'll toss in my 2 cents worth for what it is. I built a rifle for 1000 yds. was going to build a 6.5x284 but barrel life stories worried me. I built a 6.5x55 instead. I found that I get right at the same velocities that my friends with 6.5x284 get, they can get more velocity but their accuracy node seems to be right at the same velocity as mine. My 140 gr loads run 2887-3000 fps depending on which bullet powder combo I use. Plus barrel life is much better. My next long rifle will probably be a 6mm br with a tight twist, even less recoil and better barrel life. Cool part about using savages for this is when a barrel does go south its only 300-375 for a new barrel and no gun smithing costs just screw it on head space and go shooting.

I have to agree with the Man. 7-08. and the 280 are fine but the 280AI with heavy loads has stiff recoil but great accuracy and power. just my opinion.ymmv

A nice brake and a better set of plugs and muffs are your best friend.

A straight 284 win on a long action with a 9 twist. The recoil will be mild it has great ballistics, and the barrel life will be like a 308.

dakor,
I definitely agree with the std. 284 Winchester round for there is not a thing wrong with it in it's factory form. Some reason it has never really caught on and yet there are some excellent match grade bullets out there for 7mm cartridges. I personally don't know about expected barrel life as a much shot match gun, but would have to think it better than the 6.5/284??
Problem with muzzle brakes is that some matches do not permit them to be used. If they do you are usually placed far away from the other shooters at the end of the firing line so as to not blow "stuff" off the other guys shooting mat. Experienced a fellow shooting 300WinMag beside of me in prone/sling match and the blast was definitely disturbing. I just kept concentrating and shooting as best I could, but about half way through the match, 600yd,3x20, the RO moved the fellow clear down to the end of the firing line. No shade there and had overhanging tree limbs about half way down creating shadows and not the preferred firing point on the line.

I think it has not caught on because no one makes it in a long action and that is what it needs. Here is a very good write up on the 284 win. 284 Win

I do not own one but am seriously thinking about Hornady's 6.5 Creedmore cartridge for my wife who has shoulder joint issues. The 6.5 Creedmore seems to have built a good long range accuracy reputation and is designed to fit within the Ruger M77 SA which just happens to be the identical magazine length as the Remington M700 SA. It uses a little more powder than the 6.5 Lapua but a lot less than the 6.5x284. Just a thought.

I would sugggest a good scope and a good laser rangfinder! Match that up with and a fast twist 223. One that is 1-9to1-7 twist and shoot 75gr-90gr bullets to start! You can keep the good optics/rangefinder for the next gun, but the fast twist 223 would be a great way to learn "long range" shooting and get over a flinch!!!

The choice of caliber after that is up to you, but I feel you would be money ahead to learn shooting and stop flinch with the 223. Easy to load, shoot, and economical! Plus long brl life. One of the most important things to learn shooting longrange is WIND DRIFT! You can range distance, but wind is totally in learning to read conditions!

Plus the rangefinder and optics you can put to use with new caliber.

My stuff is rem700 based, but the savage WOULD give you the option to just change bolt face and brl to the new cartridge for medium game after you get some experience under your belt shooting the 223.

I would go 260 personally if you are recoil shy for medium game hunting. Long range guns are usually fairly heavy so that will help with recoil.

thanks
224TTH

quote:

Originally posted by capoward:
I do not own one but am seriously thinking about Hornady's 6.5 Creedmore cartridge for my wife who has shoulder joint issues. The 6.5 Creedmore seems to have built a good long range accuracy reputation and is designed to fit within the Ruger M77 SA which just happens to be the identical magazine length as the Remington M700 SA. It uses a little more powder than the 6.5 Lapua but a lot less than the 6.5x284. Just a thought.

It's a good thought

I've made hits on steel with my Creedmoor at 1760 yards. It has a muzzle brake and zero recoil of which to speak. You can watch the bullet trace and hit your target.

The 284 is a great round, but if you don't reload then you are limited. Nosler makes 280AI brass and loaded ammo. Gets out there with the 7mag and less recoil. Its a great round.

I don't know much about building rifles but I would consider a 30-06 project with the criteria that you have layed out.
You probably won't win many 1000 yd. matches but for a long range hunting rifle that will sure take elk, an 06 isn't a bad choice. I'm sure you can build one that will do anything in the field that you want.