1000 yard caliber?

[Britto87]

Want help deciding on which caliber to go with for my upcoming build. The two choices are the 6.5x55AI or the 6.5x284. I know there is a lot of 1000yd shooters out there using these two calibers and your expert advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank You, Britt

 

[watercam]

Having had a 6.5/284 I can tell you it is outstanding at 1000 yds.. However, if you are looking for 1/4 - 1/2 min. accuracy better plan on changing barrels after 800-950 rounds. Just the way it is. For better barrel life one might consider the straight .284 w/ 180 gr. bullets - it shoots well but recoil is a factor. I personally went to the 6XC/243/6Dasher/6BRX train of thought and am going to try the .260 Rem. next. ONe needs to be able to read wind in any event and all these calibers will work. The 6.5x55 AI should approach the 6.5/284 velocity but it will be a bit of a strain. I am using 30+" barrels to keep velocities up w/o pushing the pressure limits too much.
For a real eye opener, try Palma Matches!

 

[Steve Blair]

For what discipline is the rifle intended? (F-Open, Sling, etc)

 

[Britto87]

It will be used for 1000 yd benchrest. I would like to try and make a couple shoots this year at the Deep Creek Range just outside Missoula MT.

 

[3dogs]

You might want to look at the equipment list for the Deep Creek shoots

 

[Steve Blair]

It is my understanding that Deep Creek is a fairly protected range and that milder recoil, highly accurate cartridges like 6mm Dashers dominate. On the Southwest ranges where I normally shoot F-Open, larger 7mm and caliber .30 cartridges prevail because of the wind.

 

[Laurie]

Britt,

the usable powder charges and hence results are very similar, but as the 6.5X55AI has a slightly smaller case capacity, it runs closer to the desirable 100% fill-ratio with 139-142gn bullets seated well out than the 6.5-284 whose case is just a bit too large for most suitable powders' maximum charges. Its 40-deg shoulder angle is highly desirable to some long-range shooters too. In practice, I doubt if you'd see daylight between them in barrel life, precision and external ballistics given identical barrels, chamber neck clearances and chamber throat lengths and with both loaded to their full potential.

Pro the 6.5-284 is good off the shelf brass and tools, lots of been there & done it advice on neck thickness / clearance, loads etc.

The cons for the AI are fireforming brass and an absence of dies so you need a custom job or have your gunsmith ream out the sliding inserts on Redding 6.5X55mm competition dies.

 

[Britto87]

Thank you all for your input it is very helpful. As far as dies I already have both sets of dies for both of the calibers listed and I have brand new reamers from Pacific Tool and Gauge.