6.5-284 or 6.5-06 ?

[hunter74]

I have been reading this forum for some time now, and I'm impressed by the competence. Since I'm fairly new to precision shooting, unlike most of you, I hope you'll bare with me on this question...

For some time know I've been thinking about building a long range custom rig for informal paper-punching out to 1000 yds. I own a 6mmBR hunting rig built on a trued Rem 700 action, and I guess, it's after I started shooting that I got interesting I precision shooting.

Well, as I understand the 6.5mm is good at ducking wind and has good ballistic performance because of the high BC of the heavier bullets around 140 grs. As I see in this forum many of the top shooters in various long range shooting disciplines use the 6.5-284 Norma. A similar cartridge of the same performance regarding speed is the 6.5-06, but I can't find any ting about this cartridge in this forum, so I just guessed it simply was because it has much poorer accuracy potential. Maybe it has inherited some of the 30-06's poorer qualities regarding the subject.I then talked to somebody owning a rifle in 6.5-06 and he told me he was shooting 1/2 MOA out of his hunting rifle.,Only tested at 100 yds but anyway....)

Just because I'm curious I wonder if someone would educate me on this matter so I can decide witch cartridge to go for in my future custom project. My plan is to shoot 139 scenars through a long barrel, 28-32 inches with sub .5 MOA.

Thank you!

 

[billmo]

I'm by far no BR shooter either man. But, after carefully reading and asking a whole lot of questions about this caliber, I believe the 6.5-284 will be your best foot forward. It sure does hold it's own everywhere you look. The short action is the first pro that I think about. Secondly, there is a wealth of information out there. Lastly, it is pretty much ruling the roost at the 1000 yd. mark. I hope this helps. Bill

 

[chrisj]

The 6.5-284 is a Great cartridge. But...one of the reasons that it is in the winners circle so much is the percentage of shooters using the cartridge. If 3 or 4 ouf every ten shooters was using a 6.5-06 or some other comparable cartridge, I am sure it would be in the winners circle too quite often.

Chris

 

[chrisj]

Also...6mm cartridges have woon the long-range championships @ Camp Perry the last 2 of 3 years and a 300 win mag won last year. And there were LOTS of 6.5-284s there.

Chris

 

[acloco]

You might consider the 6.5x55 - and use Win 55 cases.

This is ONLY if the 284 is not using the rebated rim.

Check the price of your brass...that would be the deciding point for me.

You might even consider a 6.5/08.

 

[2644ever]

Go for the 6.5-06. Everything you can do with the 6.5-284 can be done with the '06. Everybody, and this includes the very best, makes brass for it, dies are easily available and it's a common chambering among the best barrel makers. In one Nosler Manual, I noticed it is the cartridge they use for testing .264 bullets, as it gives consistant accuracy.You may even ask for the 6.5-270 version that will let you use Lapua's and Norma's .270 Win brass without trimming the neck.

 

[billmo]

Oh, for sure Guys. I never intended to claim that the 6.5 - 284 was the top dog all the way around and I guess Chris is right about the number of shooters using a particular caliber and it placing close to the top because of the sheer numbers. That is a fact. But on the other hand not being a BR shooter, I just have not seen any information to amount to anything on the 6.5 -06. Did not mean to offend anybody. Bill

 

[hunter74]

Thank you, guys.

Since 6.5x55 is the most used cartridge for target shooting in my country, this would be the obius choice for the "avridge Joe" but this cartridge does not appeal to me. Opening a perfectly good 308-bolt face is in my mind somewhat wrong

Since I've previous owned a barrel in 260 Rem 6.5-308 is not part of the consideration. 260 AI also sprung to mind. I see some guys make good results with this cartridge so I'm pretty sure it also would perform for me but, as I see it, the brass is really what's not so good about the cartridge. I prefere Lapua brass for my precision shooting because of the constancy in wight and thickness.,I could neck down Lapua brass i 308 but i hate broblems like donuts )I've also considered the new 6.5x47 Lapua, but then again this is not in my mind, fast enough out to 1000 yds. It's not so far away from the hot loads in 6mmBR with a long barrel.

Well, some of my argument may seem out of place for some of you. If so please convince me

 

[BillK]

6.5wssm hands down!!!! You can do it off the 25wssm case or the 243wssm case. They are both good performers with optimal case capacity!!!!!

 

[Preacher]

The 6.5X284 is a bit more efficient than the 6.5/06, but it's like comparing apples to apples........
,IF) I was going to do a 6.5 anything it would undoubtedly be a 6.5X55 Ackley for whatever that's worth.....

 

[chrisj]

Oh, for sure Guys. I never intended to claim that the 6.5 - 284 was the top dog all the way around and I guess Chris is right about the number of shooters using a particular caliber and it placing close to the top because of the sheer numbers. That is a fact. But on the other hand not being a BR shooter, I just have not seen any information to amount to anything on the 6.5 -06. Did not mean to offend anybody. Bill

You certainly shouldn't have offended anyone Bill. This is an open firum and everyone is entitled to their opinion here. The 6.5/284 came out and was used by a number of famous highpower shooters. it was an instany success since these shoooters did so well with it. however...many shooters were using big .30 magnums and the lesser recoil alone attracted a lot of shooters to this cartridge. If these noted shooters shot a 6.5-06 or 6.5-06 Ackley and had the same results, that would be the cartridge du jour I bet. I mad a cartridge years ago, which was near identcal to the 6xc. My cartridge was around before the 6xc. It was "6mm BR Lapua Long" basically a 6br on 22-250 brass. I was just your average shooer and when i posted info on the old shooters.com and some other sites, I was told that I was "reinventing the wheel". Well...we all know what the 6xc is today because D. Tubb and others have won the national Championships with it.

Chris

 

[243Mendoza]

... As I see in this forum many of the top shooters in various long range shooting disciplines use the 6.5-284 Norma. A similar cartridge of the same performance regarding speed is the 6.5-06, but I can't find any ting about this cartridge in this forum, so I just guessed it simply was because it has much poorer accuracy potential.

If you had a large supply of 30-06 cases, buy good quality 30-06 brass much cheaper than 284 cases, or not get 284 cases would be reasons to shoot the 6.5-06.

 

[Rust]

The price of brass is probably the last thing you should consider when deciding on a chambering, especially if it is used in competition. In either 6.5 X 284 or 6.5-06 your expenses for barrel replacement will far exceed the cost of brass.

To put it simply, of the two, 6.5 X 284 Lapua brass is available and of the 6.5 X 284 brass I've purchased the Lapua has by far the lowest reject rate making it, in fact, the most cost effective brass. Don't get fooled by simply thinking of price per 100, it's how many you've got left useable out of that 100.

Now you may want to consider one of the 7mm short mags which have produced very good results. The only "premium" brass I've heard of so far is the Norma RSAUM brass and I'd want to get a small sample to check for actual quality before committing any serious money towards a purchase. I like the longer neck of the RSAUM but if the Norma brass wasn't up to snuff I'd go with the WSM and Winchester brass,good brass, needs a bit of prep work).

I for one, would just as soon sit and fiddle with rifles and ammo to the exclusion of pretty much everything else except maybe a good cigar, Blantons Reserve Kentucky Bourbon whiskey, a good steak and a few other odds and ends. In actuality my time is extremely limited and the less time I spend diddling with adapting something and the more time shooting the better.

If I shot as well as my rifle I'd be famous. Quality trigger time counts.

 

[rhino]

Why not a 6.5x55 SE. Get a tight chamber and or get a .297 neck and use Lapua brass.

Great brass available, drive the 140 class bullets to 3k no problem, brass is cheaper, barrel life is longer.

What can I say I am a SWEDE FAN!

RHINOUT!

 

[Spotcheck_Billy]

Rhino,
I was waiting for you to chime in with that