6.5x284 on groundhogs anybody?

[Bobbyboy6br]

Hi I've hunting groundhogs with my 2506 100 gr for over 20 years now . The barrel has high mileage on it so I'm re barreling in 6.5x284 with a 1in 8 tw 120- 142 gr bullets .what do ya think? Thanks

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

Better...

 

[Bobbyboy6br]

Thanks

 

[Webster]

Hi I've hunting groundhogs with my 2506 100 gr for over 20 years now . The barrel has high mileage on it so I'm re barreling in 6.5x284 with a 1in 8 tw 120- 142 gr bullets .what do ya think? Thanks

Hard on barrels. Why not a 6BRX? Depends on how far you want to shoot.

 

[Bobbyboy6br]

Hard on barrels. Why not a 6BRX? Depends on how far you want to shoot.

It's on a long action and heard it's a long distance cal

 

[Bobbyboy6br]

I also have a 6 br 1-8 tw

 

[CaptainMal]

It will work fine. You will have more recoil than the 25-06. Might be more accurate but that is dependent on equipment and your tuning. Bullets will be heavier and maybe more prone to passing through and skipping far. Cases will also be harder to source or at least, more expensive.

Groundhog hunting has good nights or days with 20 shots. In Pa. I often was happy with 5-10 a day. Barrel life will be in years if your situation is typical.

Now I do think it's a bit much for groundhog, especially the bullets. But if 1,000 yard hunting is in your realm the makes a good choice. For 500 yards or under I think you would be better served with something in the 6mm bore diameter, if only for the better bullets suitable for varmints at long range. Never forget that because the action is long does not mean you have to use a long case.

 

[1K6BRA]

It will work fine. You will have more recoil than the 25-06. Might be more accurate but that is dependent on equipment and your tuning. Bullets will be heavier and maybe more prone to passing through and skipping far. Cases will also be harder to source or at least, more expensive.

Groundhog hunting has good nights or days with 20 shots. In Pa. I often was happy with 5-10 a day. Barrel life will be in years if your situation is typical.

Now I do think it's a bit much for groundhog, especially the bullets. But if 1,000 yard hunting is in your realm the makes a good choice. For 500 yards or under I think you would be better served with something in the 6mm bore diameter, if only for the better bullets suitable for varmints at long range. Never forget that because the action is long does not mean you have to use a long case.

I have used a Lilja barreled model 22 Cooper 6.5 x 2 84 here in north western Pennsylvania for the last eight years or so for groundhogs. My longest kill to date has been 880 yards but I have killed many in the 6 to 800 yard range with this cartridge and have came crazy close to ones out to 1100 yards .It is an easy cartridge to tune.I agree completely with Captainmal on his advice but would add if you don't mind the increased muzzle blast,add a muzzle break to your gun it makes a big difference. I have used Hornaday 140 grain Amax bullets with great results and also the standard Berger 140 grain hunting bullet. I even killed an elk in Colorado two years ago with the same load I use for woodchucks. If your shots are long and you have a safe place to shoot I think there is no finer cartridge out there.

 

[Bobbyboy6br]

It will work fine. You will have more recoil than the 25-06. Might be more accurate but that is dependent on equipment and your tuning. Bullets will be heavier and maybe more prone to passing through and skipping far. Cases will also be harder to source or at least, more expensive.

Groundhog hunting has good nights or days with 20 shots. In Pa. I often was happy with 5-10 a day. Barrel life will be in years if your situation is typical.

Now I do think it's a bit much for groundhog, especially the bullets. But if 1,000 yard hunting is in your realm the makes a good choice. For 500 yards or under I think you would be better served with something in the 6mm bore diameter, if only for the better bullets suitable for varmints at long range. Never forget that because the action is long does not mean you have to use a long case.

Thank you

I have used a Lilja barreled model 22 Cooper 6.5 x 2 84 here in north western Pennsylvania for the last eight years or so for groundhogs. My longest kill to date has been 880 yards but I have killed many in the 6 to 800 yard range with this cartridge and have came crazy close to ones out to 1100 yards .It is an easy cartridge to tune.I agree completely with Captainmal on his advice but would add if you don't mind the increased muzzle blast,add a muzzle break to your gun it makes a big difference. I have used Hornaday 140 grain Amax bullets with great results and also the standard Berger 140 grain hunting bullet. I even killed an elk in Colorado two years ago with the same load I use for woodchucks. If your shots are long and you have a safe place to shoot I think there is no finer cartridge out there.

thank you

 

[Phil]

Since you already have a 6BR 8 twist, the 6.5x284 sounds like a natural fit.

Have fun and keep us posted, I`d like to hear about your results.

Phil.

 

[284winner]

I use my 6.5-284 for ground hogs and it's great. Low recoil (12lb gun). I use 140 Amax out to 1000+ yards and they are extremely accurate. I don't push them past 2950-2975 so barrel wear isn't terrible. My 260 is better on barrels and only a couple minutes different on 1000 yd shots. I use the same bullets for both. They are both deer rifles as well so works great.

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

Never let your equipment be the limiting factor in your shooting.

 

[Bobbyboy6br]

Thanks

 

[284winner]

Yes you'll enjoy the 6.5-284 with 120-142s.

 

[Bobbyboy6br]

Yes you'll enjoy the 6.5-284 with 120-142s.

Thanks I can't wait

 

[VaRandy]

I live to shoot hogs as long as I can find. I have sticks in almost every caliber. I would suggest you only want a 6.5/284 if you will be shooting to 1500 yards. If you will also be shooting paper and steel you will not like there rate you need to replace the barrels.

I have found my favorite for these extreme ranges to be my .260 Ackly. I put it together late this last season and can attest to absolutely solid at 1300 yards. I have not had a change at 1500 but expect to do it within weeks next season. If I do it, I will work to find a place to get one at 1 mile.

You do not need .338 and larger out to 1500 if it is a quarter inch or less capable. The Berger 140 Hybrids are magic and H4350 is as stable a powder as anyone can find. I could have gone another 100 fps but found a real sweet spot at 2950. The stick is 18.5 lbs so recoil or flinching that could result from the big bores is negligible.

Even though I love this gun, I will not be shooting any paper except to confirm the weapon is properly zeroed for the day of shooting.

When I pull the trigger, I want to hear a THOCK whether it happens in 1 second or 5 seconds later.

 

[284winner]

I've got 1260 rds thru my broughton 6.5-284 barrel and it's going strong. I run loads(140-142) fairly warm at around 3050-3075.

 

[Bobbyboy6br]

I've got 1260 rds thru my broughton 6.5-284 barrel and it's going strong. I run loads(140-142) fairly warm at around 3050-3075.

Thank you

 

[AckleymanII]

For giggles and grins, you should try at least one box of the 95g V max!!!

 

[John Russell]

For giggles and grins, you should try at least one box of the 95g V max!!!

I shoot coyotes with the 95 V-Max in a 264, and it leaves a bucket of mush.