6.5x284 NRL hunter build

[Hoodoo]

My cousin and I have been shooting NRL Hunter team matches since it started 5 years ago. We originally were shooting 260AI's, but decided last year to build 6.5x284's, and I thought I'd do a little write up on our builds. I'm now on my second barrel, and have been very pleased with the results.

Build list.

Defiance XM Deviant action
Lilja 1:7 3-groove Spiral Fluted #7 contour, 26" Finish length https://riflebarrels.com/wp-content/uploads/Lilja_7.pdf
Manners T2A Gap stock https://mannersstocks.com/mcs-t2a-gap/
Nightforce NX8 W/ Mil-C Reticle
Nightforce Rings
Triggertech Diamond trigger
Area 419 Maverick Suppressor
Ckyepod Double pull
Area419 Weighted Arca rail https://www.area419.com/product/universal-weight-tunable-arcalock-rail-and-kits/

I'm right at 16lbs, and I like that the area419 Arca rail let's me adjust the weights as needed.


We originally shot 260AI's, but decided because we are shooting teams, we wanted to try a little larger 6.5 cartridge and shoot the 153 A-Tips. (Recoil wasn't quite as big of a concern as we had each other spotting.)

Why we settled on 6.5x284's, I honestly don't remember. Everyone seemed to jump on the 6.5PRC band wagon, and I like doing things different. (Funny, because this was a hot cartridge 15 years ago.)

After trying H4831 a little bit, and not being super pleased, we decided to try H1000. What a difference that made. I settled on the following load.

54.1 gr H1000
CCI 250
Lapua 6.5x284
Hornady 153 A-Tip
3.150" OAL





We took 1st at the Defiance AnTi Social in Belt MT in 2024.


We where able to repeat at the AnTi social in 2025.


And we took 2nd at the NRL Hunter Finale in Paulden AZ in 2025.

 

[Hoodoo]

In January of 2026, I rebarreled my 6.5x284, and broke the barrel in with some of last years loaded ammo. Last years barrel took a long time to stop speeding up. Around 75 rounds before it seemed to settle down. This barrel was fairly similar, but the velocity was about 100 FPS slower than the previous barrel. I also opened a new batch of H1000, so I'm not sure if it was the powder or barrel. Regardless, I did a new powder charge and ended up a whole grain more to get the same velocity as last years barrel.

I settled at 55.1 grains, and after confirming at distance, I've now got 133 rounds on this barrel. Excited for this years NRL Hunter matches.

One thing I've always liked about the A-Tips, is on shot out plates you can usually see the different silver color the bullet leaves.

 

[Hoodoo]

Saved.

 

[Bill Norris]

Some dang good shooting no doubt.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

My cousin and I have been shooting NRL Hunter team matches since it started 5 years ago. We originally where shooting 260AI's, but decided last year to build 6.5x284's, and I thought I'd do a little right up on our builds. I'm now on my second barrel, and have been very pleased with the results.

Build list.

Defiance XM Deviant action
Lilja Spiral Fluted #7 contour, 26" Finish length https://riflebarrels.com/wp-content/uploads/Lilja_7.pdf
Manners T2A Gap stock https://mannersstocks.com/mcs-t2a-gap/
Nightforce NX8 W/ Mil-C Reticle
Nightforce Rings
Triggertech Diamond trigger
Area 419 Maverick Suppressor
Ckyepod Double pull
Area419 Weighted Arca rail https://www.area419.com/product/universal-weight-tunable-arcalock-rail-and-kits/

I'm right at 16lbs, and I like that the area419 Arca rail let's me adjust the weights as needed.
View attachment 1731968

We originally shot 260AI's, but decided because we are shooting teams, we wanted to try a little larger 6.5 cartridge and shoot the 153 A-Tips. (Recoil wasn't quite as big of a concern as we had each other spotting.)

Why we settled on 6.5x284's, I honestly don't remember. Everyone seemed to jump on the 6.5PRC band wagon, and I like doing things different. (Funny, because this was a hot cartridge 15 years ago.)

After trying H4831 a little bit, and not being super pleased, we decided to try H1000. What a difference that made. I settled on the following load.

54.1 gr H1000
CCI 250
Lapua 6.5x284
Hornady 153 A-Tip
View attachment 1731976



View attachment 1731984
We took 1st at the Defiance AnTi Social in Belt MT in 2024.

View attachment 1731985
We where able to repeat at the AnTi social in 2025.

View attachment 1731986
And we took 2nd at the NRL Hunter Finale in Paulden AZ in 2025.

Hoodoo,,,,Can't you find a prettier place to shoot? Beautiful, looks like the opening of Shane. Oh, and great shooting BTW.

 

[Desert Fox]

Love This cartridge. I have two rifle chambered for 6.5-284. One is a hunting rifle and another is high power.

 

[DHuffman]

I've had a few 6.5-284s over the last 10 years all being 16# +/- hunting guns.

The 2840-2900 range always gives a nice wide node that shoots to the same POI and is easy recoiling for spotting shots.

My latest one is a Zermatt Origin with a Timney Calvin Elite and a 28" Lilja 3 groove 8 twist with a Harrels Tactical brake.

I've shot a lot of H1000 in the past, this one's running RL 16 and 143 ELDXs
I throated the Freebore out to get the bearing surface and most of the boat tail up into the neck.

 

[Hoodoo]

I've had a few 6.5-284s over the last 10 years all being 16# +/- hunting guns.

The 2840-2900 range always gives a nice wide node that shoots to the same POI and is easy recoiling for spotting shots.

My latest one is a Zermatt Origin with a Timney Calvin Elite and a 28" Lilja 3 groove 8 twist with a Harrels Tactical brake.

I've shot a lot of H1000 in the past, this one's running RL 16 and 143 ELDXs
I throated the Freebore out to get the bearing surface and most of the boat tail up into the neck.

Couldn't agree more! 2860 with the 153 A-Tips has been awesome.

 

[X-Caveman]

Nice. I totally suck at NRL Hunter. Can’t usually even find them before clock expires. It’s a lot of fun tho.

 

[effendude]

Great choice on cartridge. One of the all time best, most accurate cartridges ever developed.

 

[Bc'z]

My cousin and I have been shooting NRL Hunter team matches since it started 5 years ago. We originally where shooting 260AI's, but decided last year to build 6.5x284's, and I thought I'd do a little right up on our builds. I'm now on my second barrel, and have been very pleased with the results.

Build list.

Defiance XM Deviant action
Lilja Spiral Fluted #7 contour, 26" Finish length https://riflebarrels.com/wp-content/uploads/Lilja_7.pdf
Manners T2A Gap stock https://mannersstocks.com/mcs-t2a-gap/
Nightforce NX8 W/ Mil-C Reticle
Nightforce Rings
Triggertech Diamond trigger
Area 419 Maverick Suppressor
Ckyepod Double pull
Area419 Weighted Arca rail https://www.area419.com/product/universal-weight-tunable-arcalock-rail-and-kits/

I'm right at 16lbs, and I like that the area419 Arca rail let's me adjust the weights as needed.
View attachment 1731968

We originally shot 260AI's, but decided because we are shooting teams, we wanted to try a little larger 6.5 cartridge and shoot the 153 A-Tips. (Recoil wasn't quite as big of a concern as we had each other spotting.)

Why we settled on 6.5x284's, I honestly don't remember. Everyone seemed to jump on the 6.5PRC band wagon, and I like doing things different. (Funny, because this was a hot cartridge 15 years ago.)

After trying H4831 a little bit, and not being super pleased, we decided to try H1000. What a difference that made. I settled on the following load.

54.1 gr H1000
CCI 250
Lapua 6.5x284
Hornady 153 A-Tip
3.150" OAL
View attachment 1731976



View attachment 1731984
We took 1st at the Defiance AnTi Social in Belt MT in 2024.

View attachment 1731985
We where able to repeat at the AnTi social in 2025.

View attachment 1731986
And we took 2nd at the NRL Hunter Finale in Paulden AZ in 2025.

I ran H4350 in my 6.5-284 pushing 140's @2980.
I would set it on the bench next to a buddies 6.5PRC, he asked me why...
I explained to him mine was eating his lunch and using less powder to do it. Lol
He didn't find it as amusing as I did.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Couldn't agree more! 2860 with the 153 A-Tips has been awesome.

Is your barrel a 1-8 twist also? Thanks.

 

[Hoodoo]

Is your barrel a 1-8 twist also? Thanks.

1:7 3-groove.