6.5- 284 barrel life questions/ problems

[fordwrench]

new to the board and was hoping to get some input from fellow shooters. i have a rem 700 bartlen barreled 6.5 284. bought this gun from a friends brother in law that had passed. it is a spoter weight tube that should have a round count in the 400 range. i never have seen a decent group from it in the 200 rnds ive shot. a trip to the gunsmith and borescoped barrel. the lands in the throat look terrible! since i owned the gun it was cleaned w a dewey rod and sinclair rod guide. my question is is this a normal thing for this caliber/ is there a better route to go? my primary use of the gun is is a walking accurate long range varminter and coyote gun. i was thinking before the new barrel came i would ask. the qualitys of the 6.5 284 are attractive to me but if this is what i have to look formward to i may change directions with a better caliber. i have had a 6br before but i didnt care for it. what kind of speed do the guys get from the 6.5 47 w 130 140 gr bullets.

 

[ChrisNZ]

You can expect roughly 2950 max with std powders (eg Varget) with the 130s and obviously more with RL17 at -reasonable pressures-. From reading, maybe a realistic 2900 max with 140s but the boiler room of a 47 is slightly inadequate for these.

The evidence so far seems reasonable loading allows a good 2000 round barrel life and possibly beyond 2500. Either way, it's a helluva lot better than the ~1000 max of a 284 version. Anecdotally RL17 is far worse on barrels at vels that make it worth using.

Chris-NZ

 

[fordwrench]

ordered a 8twist shilen match and a reamer from dave kiff. 6.5 47 here i come. hope i dont regret it???

 

[falconpilot]

Chris....I think you've got your number backward here..the 284 and the 284 Shehane goes well beyond the 2000 mark in barrel life, where the 6.5x284 will give you about 1000 rounds, if you'be got a good barrel...i've owned and shoot/shooting both, so I know these figures to be true..

Jim

 

[therifler]

I would have to agree i have built and shot comp with 6.5 x284 . Just about like clock work 1500 -1600 rounds they are about finished . However for hunting all depends on how accurate you need to be. The post does not tell us what kind of groups he is getting . but if there is the kind of damage to throat he says it is more than 400rounds . I have 2 bartliens one was a 6.5 X284 at 1000 some rounds i cut it back and made 6.5X250. I now have 2220 rounds on it and recently finished near the top in 600yd shoot .
Chris you are now headed in the right direction with the 47 case .
www.therifler.com

 

[fordwrench]

The group I was getting were in the 1.5 inch to 1.75 range. Not even close. I have never had a barlien before but I do feel that it wore out early.I demand the tightest groups possible with respect to what should be possible w my equipment. Short range br has not helped my acceptable standards.I hate being anal about it but I can't help it.

 

[ChrisNZ]

>..Chris....I think you've got your number backward here..the 284 and the 284 Shehane goes well beyond the 2000 mark in barrel life, where the 6.5x284 will give you about 1000 rounds, if you'be got a good barrel...i've owned and shoot/shooting both, so I know these figures to be true..

Jim

----

Dead right Jim, I meant the 6.5 version of the 284.
My prominent gunsmith/clubmate has replaced a lot of 6.5-284 barrels and he maintains 900-1000 rounds is very common. He himself has changed to a straight .284 recently and keeps a 6.5x47 for up to 600yds.

Just shot my 47 on a friend's farm this morning- two sighters less than 1/2" apart, corrected then put three into 0.9". BTW, that was at 392yds

Chris-NZ

 

[wapiti25]

I was at a 600yd BR match last week end and watched a guy shoot about 2" groups with the 6.5x47L. He likes the barrel life and the small primer. Try 120 or 130 bullets