I am looking at building 6.5/284 primarily as a hunting rifle. Accuracy is key priority with the proposed rig. I want a short action cartridge, and the 6.5/284 fits the bill.
I was interested in a Sako 75 action, however a resident 'expert' who has built a super accurate 22/284 (3 inch groups at 500 yards - wouldn't I love something to rival that!) has suggested the Sako action is not rigid enough,and will be dissapointing.
Custom actions are out, so what do you guys recommend? Given so many bench rest outfits have been made from Rem 700 actions, is this the way to go? What about modified M70 action?
I was thinking of modifying a break open single shot, but again have been advised against it - anything with a break open action presumeably has too much headspace to be very accurate?
Would appreciate your feedback.

Do we assume when you say hunting rifle that you mean a sporter weight rifle? Or are you talking a LR 500metre FLY shoot rifle that you take out popping bunnies at 500metres?

If the former I cannot see why any of the Sako actions would not be considered rigid enough for a sporter or even resonable heavy profile barrel.

Hard to compare apples with oranges really....a sleeved 700 would be more rigid as would a Nesika et al however you could get little benefit out of that in a sporter weight rifle....it will come down to the actual construction of the rifle....M700 is obviously be easier to blueprint than Sako and both are push feed.

tgwh,

Over the years I have had lots of bench style rifles in calibers from 6mm/06 throught to 375 H&H, so that takes in your territorty. In addition I have used Number 5 Tobler barrels a lot on alloy stocks and also conventional. So i will pass on my findings , for whetver they are worth.

Firstly, I would not go Sako because of the scope mounting system. Tapered dovetails to me are the last thing I want. Secondly, I want to be able to fit a Jewell trigger and at this stage I don't think you can get them for Sako. If I chose a Sako 75 I would throw their recoil lug system in the bin and use a Rem 700 style recoil lug. I think Saeed also goes that road as welll. None of this means that you can't make a real accurate Sako, but the whole exercise has enough difficulties so to me you pick the easiest road to travel and hopefully down hill with the wind behind you. In other words I would liken the M70 and Rem 700 to a 375 H&h and the Sako to a 9.3X 64.

Unless you are into full benchrest and have a real big barrel hanging off the end and firing enough groups where the law of averages comes through, you won't see any difference in accuracy between calibers that are similar or actions like M70 or Rem 700 compared to actions like Stolle etc.

For a bedded action I always preferred M70. For a "glue in" I preferred Rem 700 and for two reasons. Firstly, I have never glued in a Model 70 because I was scared it would be too hard to get apart with all those vertical sides. Secondly, a Rem 700 lets you take the trigger out without pulling the rifle apart.

I know a lot of people will disagree with what I will say next. In my experience the accuracy difference between an out of the box Rem 700 action or Model 70 action with no more than the action faced off and an "accurised" action will vary from nothing to hardly noticeable, especially when full length sized cases are used so that there is .002" or .003" headspace. Neck sized ammo is more critical.

So in summary, I would pick either Model 70 or Rem 700 action. If either action is faced off and a good barrel is on the action, the action is correctly bedded or "glued in", the scope and mounts are OK, trigger is good, then that alone will probably give you at least 95% of the accuracy that the barrel can deliver.

If it was to be a 6.5/284 hunting rifle which I assume means you are having a repeater, I think getting one to feed right would be my first priority. I would even consider going 6.5 WSM since you can get a Model 70 in 270 WSM to start with.

Hope this helps a little bit on your journey.

Mike

Depends on what you want to use the rifle for. I have built several 6.5x284 rifles: Single shot long range on custom actions, bolt action repeaters for general hunting, a specialized 1000 yard rifle, and several others. If you wish to use high B .C. bullets in a magazine you must use a long action, as the overall length of the cartridge is way too long for a short action. A 140 grain Nosler partition is way too long. I am referring to properly seating the bullet with the base at the junction of the neck and shoulder of the case, not way down in the powder area. Even a 120 grain partition is too long for a short M700.

I have two 6.5x284 reamers: One throated for the 142 grain Match King, tight neck and base, requires neck turning of the brass. One throated for 140 grain Partition, with bullet properly seated, this reamer is a standard for hunting purposes.

If you want a general purpose hunting rifle, then a M70 or M700 action is fine. If you want a precision varminter with a magazine, then a M700. If you want an ultra precision long range rifle, then the nod goes to a custom single shot action. Yes, each action is different and attains a different accuracy level PROVIDED the gun work, action truing, barrel chambering and fitting are properly accomplished. Of similar importance is the stock choice, pillar bedding, action and barrel bedding, etc. It is a whole comprehensive package, each step must be properly accomplished in order to have an accurate rifle. Type of scope and scope mounts are also important.

Brass selection is important also: Win 284 brass is junk, Norma 6.5x284 brass is OK for low pressures, and Lapua 6.5x284 brass is the strongest.

I agree with John Ricks, if you are after a long range target rifle and can't afford a Nesika Bay, then go with a 700. If you want a repeater go with a long action. If you're going to use it single shot, then go with a short action. I would also recommend that if possible you get a 700 with either a "B" or "C" prefix to the serial # as these action seem to be of better quality. I am very unimpressed with Remington's current action. They aren't even round most of the time now, among other problems.

try a 270 wsm. it's factory...
jeffe