Was wondering which you would go with if you were going to build/rebarrel a mauser?
I've heard good things about each but wondered which was better.

The 284 was designed for a short action but you can't ring the max out of it in a short
action. The feeding issue would have to be resolved, but it can be done.

The 6.5-06 may be a little long for a 8x57 (it would work well, though).

The 6.5-284 is more efficient, I believe, and uses less powder.

Which would be more accurate, if all components were equal (action, barrel, trigger)?
Which would deliver more power, not necessarily velocity, but knockdown on a long
shot?

Just looking for opinions and experiences. Thanks in advance.

PS - the gun would be used for long range play and occasionally for whitetails with a
medium to heavy sporter barrel and modified and lightened target stock.

A 6.5 x 57 or 6.5 x 57AI,easy brass,no feeding issues,first is a standard .

6.5x55. Of course, you have to check if the rim fits the bolt face, but some opening up should be the only work necessary.

6.5-06, 6.5x65 RWS, all mentioned above are fine choices.

Hermann

You can hunt better with the wind in your face ...

:-)

H

Since apparently Norma has now standardized the 6.5/.284, that's the one I'd go for. The .284 case is extremely strong, and the short, fat powder column makes for a high degree of inherent accuracy. I have a 6mm/.284, and it is an outstanding round. I can only beleive the 6.5/.284 would be equally exceptional! I believe all cartridge designs using the .284 Win. case are good performers.

I have both, although my 6.5-06 is the improved version, and I would go with the 6.5-06. Just run 25-06 brass through the sizer and be done or run 270 brass through and trim, which is what I do.

There is no sense paying stupidly high rates for 6.5-284 brass from Norma or Hornady when the 284 brass I have been getting from Winchester is half the price and I culled NONE from the last batch.
Forget about the problems with feeding and ejection.

If you have more than one similar cartridge in use be careful:

6.5-06 made from .30-06 cases are distinquishable from the original. But if you use .25-06 and 6.5-06 or .270 ( for whatever reason ) watch out for Murphy�s!

H

The 6.5-06 would be the easier conversion (no magazine work), and with a plethora of '06-based brass available cheap, would be less expensive to feed. If I were doing it, I'd go with the improved version.

The rebated rim of the 284 case is NOT easy to make feed as well as it should in a M-98. It was designed for push feed rifles and preform well in them.

The 6.5-06 is a natural for the M-98 and other CRF actions.

I have a 6.5-284 built on a VZ-24 action and it feeds flawlessly. The comment that the 284 Winchester case was built for a "push feed action" is ridiculous. If it was built for a push feed action, why didn't Winchester chamber bolt guns for it? It was designed for autoloading and lever guns.

The 6.5-284 (or 284) will feed slick as can be in a Mauser. Accuracy of this round is superb. I don't see any 1000 yard shooters in my neck of the woods choosing a 6.5-06 over the 6.5-284. Maybe there's a message there...

Rick are autoloading and lever guns not push feed?
Were last time I checked?
I also would go to the 06 for the ease of alterations to feed rails.

The 6.5-284 is an intriguing round. However, for a hunting rifle I would recommend the 6.5-06. We have to keep in mind that what works on the target range may not necessarily be the best for the hunting fields. Since your building on a Mauser, I'm assuming you are building a hunting rifle. The '06 case will feed MUCH more reliably and is much easier to get to feed reliably. Furthermore, any accuracy advantage that the 284 case "may" have will not be recognized in a hunting rifle. Also, I'm not convinced that the 284 case more "efficient" than the '06 case.

If you had a short action I would say go with a 6.5-284, however your Mauser will work great as a 6.5-06.
John

All of the opinions are good and much appreciated. Based on my minimal smithing experience and the desire to do all of the work myself on this one, I guess the 6.5-06 would be the winner. I'll also looked into the improved version. If it makes a significant difference as it seems to for the 280, I'll probably go with it.

Thanks again for all of the feedback. Once again Mr. Belk comes through with something I overlooked, the rebated rim. I had considered the larger diameter case, but forgot about the rim. A little too much for a first project as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks once again.

Smallcal, take a look at the 6.5 Gibbs. Its an improved version of Improved version. Walker

Is the ballistic performance of a 6.5 o6 such as to make this a worthwhile project over building say a.270?
Bill Morris

[ 07-09-2002, 03:03: Message edited by: bill morris ]

bill morris--

If you're *buying* a rifle the 270 would be better, especially if you don't handload. If you're *building* it means you are a handloader and whatever flips your knickers is the ticket to happiness.

The 6.5-06 is an "elegant" cartridge that does many things very well.
I experimented for a thousand rounds or so with a 263 Sabre in 1969,'70. It was a good shooter and looked great, but not worth what a special reamer cost.

Hey'
I just picked up my 6.5.06 imp.I opted for this,because,as Larry said,just run 25-06 brass into sizing die.Works for me.
geejay
Confucious say,"Mouth open more by mistake,than on purpose."
www.shooting-hunting.com

I have a 6mm/..284 on an FN Mauser action, and it too feeds flawlessly. I don't see much of a problem with the .284's rebated rim in the Mauser action.

If you haven't made up your mind yet Z-hat customs will do a rechamber to their 6.5 hawk. they have their own headstamped brass also. This may help avoid a recognition problem or accident. they also have hand load data for their rounds. Saw a listed load of 3090 fps with a nosler partition out of a 24" tube. Intriging???

We have built a few of each. I am not a fan of wildcats, only because of there is very little "need" for them. A 6.5 and a .270 and a 25'06 are so close - who cares. The handloader that has to have something different does, and that is the spice of life.
As for these choices the 6.5x.284 is the 1 to go with as norma brass is available. You can get a spec sheet from them and have Dave Manson grind your reamer. I would not stray from that method. Use only norma and dave. It may be a pain to get it to feed in a 98. If it is a target gun you will be fine . if it is going to be a match or hunting gun, i would go with a short push winchester. This will be easier to make work.
The old and tried 6.5x55 will do the same work with a lot less trouble. There is always the 6.5x57 and 6.5x64 from RWS. Remember that if you use the 6.5'06 - DO NOT USE .270 BRASS - it is too long.

Wow, talk about resurrecting a long dead thread! Just to let everyone know, that project got scrapped. Picked up a couple of tang safety Rugers, one a 270 the other a 25-06 for less than it would have cost to re-barrel. Needless to say, the 6.5 is no longer being looked at. The action is now being turned into a 35 Whelen. Have taken a turn to the classic cartridges.

Lapua is also making 6.5x284 brass. It runs about the same price as Norma, maybe a little less.

Which ever way you go, put at least a 24" barrel on the rifle. It takes that to get the goodie out of either round.