6.5x284 DieOff?

[Badbob]

has the 6.5x284 died off as a viable option for 600/1000yd BR? I'm wondering if the barrel life of the 6.5x284 killed interested in this caliber for competition.

I'm just not reading much chatter about this cartridge. Did the 300WSM take over as the 1000yard heavy/

Thoughts?

BB

 

[Hohn]

I think people have moved on to what they consider a better option. That is like 7mm or some sort in that range. a 6.5 shooter might go with an RSAUM or PRC now. A 7mm shooter will likely run a .284 variant.

It does appear that the 300wsm is the preferred 1000y case.

 

[STOMP442]

It might be dying off in competitive circles but I think it's sticking around still. I have built three so far this year as long-range hunting rifles which that cartridge excels at.

 

[Savagehunter]

I have 3 also. Not benchrest but easy to reload easy recoil with 140 gr bullets great long range accuracy and kills stuff pretty dead.

 

[ben_g]

From an Fclass perspective the straight 284 with 180’s achieves better wind deflection with better barrel life.

The 7mm SAUM achieves even better wind deflection for similar barrel life as the 6.5.

300WSM offers the barrel life of a straight 284 and ballistics at least as good as the SAUM and I feel it’s easier to get it grouping well.

I think with modern stock design, RAD style recoil systems and modern rests the recoil of the 7mm options is much less an issue than our used to be.

 

[hogpatrol]

6.5-284 is a good hunting round. Shot this old stallion with a 130 HVLD, IIRC around 300 yards. DRT.

 

[284winner]

The 6.5-284 will never "Die off". It may slow down as new cartridges emerge and new heavier 6.5 bullets enter the market needing maybe more case capacity but it won't die. It's far superior to the 6.5 Creed and even 260/260AI. Sure the AI is getting close but it's no 284 case even improved. The PRC has good traction and for non-reloaders, it and the 6.5 Creedmoor may be the answer but far more people shooting seriously roll their own. The SAUM/WSMs are next level performers but are they really needed for competition with the added recoil and minimal gain in performance at 1000. Wind is the only element that the faster High BC bullets really shine in. I use my .284 in wind and prefer my 6.5-284 on days when Ma nature is kind. Both comfortable shooters for all day shooting.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

As long as lapua keeps making awesome brass for them they will always be a candidate for a build

 

[Steveb]

With the advent of the heavy high BC new bullets I have gone back to the 6.5 x 284 and found it outshoots the 284's in the wind. Less recoil and easier to shoot I find as I get older. I think as people re-look at it then there might be a revisit coming.

 

[ebb]

Since the heyday of 6.5-284 popularity a few new powders have come out that help the barrel burning aspect of the cartridge. Ive been using VV165 and will (as soon as I can find some) try HV1000. VV165 is a cooler burning powder than H1000 that the 6mm guys claim makes them shoot forever and HV100 is cooler yet.

 

[284winner]

With the advent of the heavy high BC new bullets I have gone back to the 6.5 x 284 and found it outshoots the 284's in the wind. Less recoil and easier to shoot I find as I get older. I think as people re-look at it then there might be a revisit coming.

Wish I could find a 6.5 bullet that does better in wind than my 284 bullets. Definitely less recoil not that the 284 is a problem but noticably less for sure. Just haven't had as good of luck in wind at the 1000+ yards with any 6.5 bullets. There good but not quite what the heavier 284s are moving around the same velocities. I haven't really shot alot of the heaviest 6.5s yet. The 147 is the heaviest I've run with it. I have some 150 SMKs and 156 Berger's but I'm not throated for them yet. One day I'll get around to it.

 

[BronzeArcher]

Replacing the 6.5-284 barrel with a .260 Rem. Enough powder room to shoot the heavies, much longer barrel life. Don't plan to win a lot of matches at 1000, but hoping to make HM.

 

[Ringostar]

Wish I could find a 6.5 bullet that does better in wind than my 284 bullets. Definitely less recoil not that the 284 is a problem but noticably less for sure. Just haven't had as good of luck in wind at the 1000+ yards with any 6.5 bullets. There good but not quite what the heavier 284s are moving around the same velocities. I haven't really shot alot of the heaviest 6.5s yet. The 147 is the heaviest I've run with it. I have some 150 SMKs and 156 Berger's but I'm not throated for them yet. One day I'll get around to it.

Steve is former owner of Matrix Ballistics and shooting the Matrix 162. They also offer a 146. I’m very interested in trying them.

 

[284winner]

Steve is former owner of Matrix Ballistics and shooting the Matrix 162. They also offer a 146. I’m very interested in trying them.

162 in the 6.5 ?

 

[284winner]

Checked out the Matrix 162. I'm gonna say it looks real close to the 150 SMK performance wise. The 162 is heavier with about a .33 higher ballistic coefficient but the 150 can make it up in velocity or darn close. I'm gonna pick up some 162 Matrix bullets. My next barrel was going to be in the 7 twist range anyway for the heavier bullet option. I'll give Sierra, Berger and Matrix a go. They all have to be very close if overall performance. Im real curious to play with them in some wind vs my 284s with the heavies. Heaviest I'd run in the 284 would be the 180 class bullets. No appetite for the 190 class in a small 284 case.

 

[Steveb]

Hi Guys. If you want to try the heavies in a 6.5 cx 284 let me strongly suggest a 1 in 7 1/2 twist. These bullets shoot extremely well in a 7 1/2. I was blowing bullets in a 7 twist. Never had one let go in a 7 1/2.

This target is a plot from yesterday May 11th. I was shooting is tricky 4-8 mph winds varying from 90 degrees to dead-on.

The center circle is a half minute for reference. 500 meters /550 yards. This load is an under 1/4 moa load. ES is under 10.

 

[284winner]

Hi Guys. If you want to try the heavies in a 6.5 cx 284 let me strongly suggest a 1 in 7 1/2 twist. These bullets shoot extremely well in a 7 1/2. I was blowing bullets in a 7 twist. Never had one let go in a 7 1/2.

This target is a plot from yesterday May 11th. I was shooting is tricky 4-8 mph winds varying from 90 degrees to dead-on.

The center circle is a half minute for reference. 500 meters /550 yards. This load is an under 1/4 moa load. ES is under 10.

What bullet do you use with that 7.5. My 8s work well for 147s. Not sure for the 150/156/162.

 

[Steveb]

162 Matrix. That is all I shoot now.

 

[284winner]

162 Matrix. That is all I shoot now.

Have you used it on game or just target shooting ?

 

[Steveb]

Only match shooting. I made the 160's for hunting with a more open mephat but I tightened up the mephat on the 162's so I don't have to point. My feedback on the 160's was they worked extremely well on antelope, elk and deer at long range. When I first tried making the 162's I wanted a weight that was different to keep them apart so I went with 162 because I used a slightly longer jacket.