6.5-284 single shot - long or short action

[coupalr]

If you were building a longrange single shot 6,5-284 would you build it on a long or short action?

 

[cmillard]

long action--no doubt--you want to be able to load the bullets long

 

[rcw3]

You can use either, but most of the 1000 yard competition shooters I know (and I myself) use a short action. For a single shot, there is no problem loading the rifle with a bullet loaded long.

Robert Whitley

 

[TonyR]

I have two single shot bolt action F-Class rifles chambered in the 284 Shehane. I load to an overall cartridge length of a bit over 3.2 inches with 180 Bergers. The loaded rounds when I shot a 6.5X284 were 3.130 with a 139 Lapua Scenar. The Nesika K rifle will eject a loaded 284 round while I have to remove the bolt to remove a loaded round from the Remington 700 Short Action. I rarely have to remove a loaded round and I have plenty of time between shots in F-Class so it has not been a problem so far. Ejecting spent cases with either action has never been a problem. I have straight 1.250 inch diameter 31 inches long on both guns and the both shoot about the same vertical accuracy so I don't think I have any problems with action stiffness with the Remington. I have heard that the long Remington 700 actions are noticably less stiff than the short actions but I have no direct experience.

 

[Dirtball]

If I were starting from scratch I would use a long action, that way if you decide to do a switch barrel or later on you decide to go with another caliber you have that long action option, and it will eliminate the possibility of ejection problems with heavy long bullets.
I wish my 6.5 X284 was on a long action.
Dave

 

[coupalr]

Long action stiller it will be. I already have a Tac 30 and 338 so might as well have a Tac 300 as well. I had a 6.5- 284 on a Savage SA clipped gun and the only high BC bullet I could shoot at clip length was the 123 Scenar. I just thought I would see what the opinion on single shots were. Thanks guys.

 

[TonyR]

Long action for sure if you want to load through a magazine. The Sierra Manual lists an overall length for the 142 Match King in the 6.5X284 of 2.910 inches which would put the bullet's shank/boattail junction down below the case's neck shoulder junction which might be OK in a hunting rifle but not in a target rifle.

 

[1000yardstare]

Built a 6AI F Class rifle on a 722 action. Went with the short action for stiffness. Use a Fajen prone stock with no magazine cutout for added stiffness. Target rounds are single loaded so the action length doesn`t matter. Have had excellent results at 1000 yards with this combination.

 

[TonyR]

1000yardstare.
What is the parent brass for the 6AI you built?
Thanks

 

[1000yardstare]

TonyR, using Winchester 6mm brass. Buy it in bags of 100 from a Western Canada mail order house. Has to be sorted by weight after fireforming and trimming. Just fireformed 250 cases and lost one due to a neck flaw. The previous 250 I did not neckturn and the latest 250 I am turning the necks at about 60%. Will compare results in F Class practise and competition next Summer.

Still not convinced in my mind that neck turning is worth the effort. Have taken a number of firsts and seconds at 1000 yards with unturned necks. But I have had some crummy results at 300 and 500 with unturned necks which has cost me all-day Aggs so will turn the second batch. I have been shooting competition for 50 years and am still learning. But that is what makes it all so interesting.

 

[TonyR]

1000yardstare.
I am up in the air about neck turning as well. I clearly don't like to do it, but my analysis of targets and other data strongly suggests that concentricity is important. I turn for concentricity more than any other reason and I would go "no-turn" if someone could explain to me how to get concentric rounds if the neckwalls are not uniform among other things. If this continues, we should probably start a new thread.