Dear Sirs:

I am planning to get a 1000 yard rifle for F-class shooting. I want to get a soft cartridge, and I have selected three options: 6,5x55, 6,5-284norma and 284 Win.

What are your experienves with these cartidges for F-class shooting?

Thank you in advance for your comments.

Hi Ignacio, You will enjoy F-class, lots of fun. I have shot F-class for 5 years including numerous state and a couple of national championships (Note I said shot not won).
I have used 243 Win and 6.5-284 barrels on a custom F-class Nesika I built. I hear the 6.5x55 is excellent and will give you better barrel life as it is felt 1000-1500 rounds is max for a 6.5-284.
The 6.5-284 has been THE caliber and it has served me very well. HOWEVER, time marches on and I think the new 175-180 7mm bullets give a definite advantage with any wind, and there is always wind. Of those you mention I would give serious thought to the 284. Also to a 280 Remington or 280 Ackley Improved formed from Lapua 30-06 brass if it is available to you. Have fun with your build.
Larry

I've used the 6.5x284 for years for F class and have no complaints with it. I'm light winds I'll shoot the 243 also. A lot of guys are shooting the 6.5x55 now days also.

Im currently using the 284 with 162 Amaxes @ 2980 fps, wicked wicked accurate!
I can push the 162 along @ 3200 fps but I have no need and may break a few range rules if I do too.
The reasons 162 over 180 is simply recoil and price and the case is not streched to its max, remember I live in New Zealand so were not privliaged when it comes to the price of our components the 162 is waaaaay cheaper here.

I shot the 6.5-284 for a while and wished I had gone to the 284 first.

RUNAS

This thread has reallly got me thinking. I have a nice 6 x 284 with a 1 in 12 twist. 70 gr. bullets seem to work best in it. The wind is what makes this rig so hard to be accurate with. Also the speed (3700 fps) makes it impossible to shoot at many matches. I may rebarrel this to a 284 win after reading some of your posts. I think I will have a lot more fun with the rifle.
I've seen the photos of RUNAS shooting feral goats at over a 1000 yds and I'm interested in what twist rate, barrel length and bullet weights are working best for F-class shooting and also the hunting rounds used.

mike,My current set up is a Barnard P, 25 MOA Barnard rail, 30" Trueflite 1" @ muzzle, chamber has a .312 neck ( neck turn .5 thou off Lapua 6.5-2854 brass after necking up, DONE.
Richards Undertaker stock, 5.5-22 NSX NPR2

Load is 52.8 grs ADI 2209 fed match primer,
this pushs the 162 AMAx at a lazy 2980 FPS.
I tried all the way up to 56 grs and reached 3200 fps with good accuracy but there was no point overcooking it for no good reason IMO.

Most guys here using the 284 have reverted back to either 168 Berger or the Hornady AMax 162 or the 162 Match HPBT,some use the 175 JLKs but not many, over the 180s.
The 180s are generally being used in the SAUMs or 7mm 300WSMs, but you have to be prepared to shoot a magnum to get the benfit, not many people here shoot the 7mm SAUM however,my mate who does, I dont even try to beat him! I shake his hand and say "well done" before we even start, its that good.

I love the 284 I have one chambered in my hunting rifle again on a Barnard but with a Trueflite 28" #5, 54.8 grs gets me 3080 FPS with the 162 AMax Lapua brass, fed match primer,in a Manners T2 and NSX 5.5-22 NPR2 its an awsome all round combo, as youve seen, it shoots every thing near or far.

Runas