260 vs 6.5-284

[silverback]

I am feeling very new right now. I really like the 260 Rem. I hear alot about the 6.5-284. After looking through my reloading manual there realy is no dif. The 260 pushes the bullets alittle faster not much though. The 260 looks to be a little more efficent. What is the big whoopla going for the 6.5-284 not to mention the rifles that are chambered for the 6.5-284 cost alot more. Can someone clear this up for me.

 

[treeman]

Ive got 2- 6.5-284 and a couple of 260s the real world difference is not all that much. one of my 6.5-284 is on a rem. 600 action/schilen barrel and it is very accurate.1" groups at 250 yrds.my zero range.this is one rifle i'll keep. but if I build another target rifle i'll go with the 260 ackley improved, cheaper brass and a little easier on barrels. well those are my thoughts lots of luck.___treeman

 

[rhino]

Cut the difference 6.5x55 SE!

RHINOUT!

 

[cliffe]

what manual list a 260 faster than a 6.5-284? haven't seen that one yet. better brass with a 6.5-284 or a swede.wouldn't the barrel life being used to form brass be a wash for extra barrel life? cliffe

 

[Raptor]

I have shot the barrels out of a couple of 6.5x284s and 260s and trust me when I say there is a big difference between a 6.5x284 and a 260 in the real world at 1000yds. Give me a 6.5x284 any day if I am shoot to 1000yds. If your not going to shoot much past 800 then stay with a 260 or one of the other small case 6.5s. If your going to shoot F class at 1000yds then go with a 6.5x284 period!!!

I think a 260 is to small for the 140gr bullet where the 6.5x55 and 6.5x284s really shine with them. The 260s seem to work the best with the 123 to 130s in my opinion.

 

[Rust]

I don't know about reloading manuals since I have never seen good data for the 6.5 X 284 in one. One reason may be that the manuals all list a SAAMI cartridge overall length where folks shooting the 6.5 X 284 run chambers to seat the very long 139-142 class of VLDs extremely long. Thus the reloading manual maximum load is considerably less than most match loads.

To put it another way, my 26" barrel 6.5 X 284 comfortably reaches 2950 fps with a 139 gr Lapua Scenar which is something a standard .260 simply cannot do, and a .260 AI can do pushed very hard.

But to me the big kicker is brass. Out of the box Lapua 6.5 X 284 brass from the lots I've gotten has simply been superb.

That said I know of a few folks who have been very successful to 1,000 yards with a garden variety .260. One in particular who has posted here and written an article or to is just plain a good shot and is familiar with his rifle, gotta have the nut behind the trigger properly adjusted for anything to work after all...

 

[silverback]

I got my info from Hornady's reloading dual volume set. I just stick with the 260 I'll just prep all me cases before I use them, new or old. I do feel that this cartridge needs more attention. Thanks for your inputs.

 

[cliffe]

i have that same one it says on the 6.5-284 page 238 "our own test rifle had a very short throat. a shorter barrel with this shorter throat produced lower test velocities." 260 rem is a decent round, but better brass and velocity with the swede and the 6.5-284. still should be great in the wind and easy on the shoulder, i think the 6.5 rounds are a good way to go, good luck with your 260. cliffe

 

[cliffe]

i have that same one it says on the 6.5-284 page 238 "our own test rifle had a very short throat. a shorter barrel with this shorter throat produced lower test velocities." 260 rem is a decent round, but better brass and velocity with the swede and the 6.5-284. still should be great in the wind and easy on the shoulder, i think the 6.5 rounds are a good way to go, good luck with your 260. cliffe