What are advantages of the 284 over the 55 using the 139-142gr.bullets at the longer ranges,600-100yds.)?
6.5x55 vs 6.5/284
- Thread starter CurtDawson
- Start date
LOL both are good rounds. either one will do the job if the shooter does his. cliffeThats funny because my 6.5x.284 was problematic on elevation holding...while the swede is dead nutz when I am on my game.
I have shot both and will never again dabble with the .284 case.
The trick with the swede is the powder! VIN N560, Reloader 22, or Norma MRP are THE POWDERS period for the heavy 140 class target bullets.
Forget all others. I like VIN N560 but it can be pricey!
RHINOUT!
I have shot both and will never again dabble with the .284 case.
The trick with the swede is the powder! VIN N560, Reloader 22, or Norma MRP are THE POWDERS period for the heavy 140 class target bullets.
Forget all others. I like VIN N560 but it can be pricey!
RHINOUT!
Another devoted Swede shooter here. My experience has been that the limiting factor for me isn't caliber, but the proverbial "nut behind the trigger". Now I have had better results with my F-class rifle using 4831SC than I did with RL-22, but that powder feeds my military Swedes quite well. The major benefit to the trusty old Swede over the 6.5/284 is barrel life. I am well over 2k rounds and will have a couple hundred more before setting my barrel back. Another plus is that I'm in the 2900's with 48grs of powder, so it's fairly economical.
Eric
Eric
I love my 6.5x55 Sako model 75 varmint.My rifle range only goes to 500 meters but it's great at that range with 139gr.lapua scenar pills.It's low recoiling and pleasant to shoot with good barrel life[I have 3,100 rds through it at the moment]I don't know but I've been told the 6.5x.284 is a bit of a barrel burner.
Well, I went with the 6.5 X 284 with my initial build. Accuracy in spades, short barrel life. Pushing a 139 Scenar to 2950 fps with very low ES/SD numbers is simple, and that seems to be where the best reasoable accuracy node is.
If I were to start from scratch,not too likely given the investment in brass and dies I've made) the Swede would bear a strong consideration. It to can push the 140 gr class of bullets to 2950,oops, intially posted a slower velocity) albeit not quite as easily, and quality brass is available.
To ma the ideal cartridge would be a 6.5 X 284 with the shoulder pushed back a bit leaving a longer neck. The 284 case has a greater volume than is really usefull and IMO needs more neck.
Another cartridge that bears examination it the 6.5 X 57 Mauser. Often overlooked because it is seldom seen in the states, it has slightly more capacity than the Swede, a nice long neck, and can readily be formed from quality brass. An Ackley Improved version might be just about ideal performance wise.
If I were to start from scratch,not too likely given the investment in brass and dies I've made) the Swede would bear a strong consideration. It to can push the 140 gr class of bullets to 2950,oops, intially posted a slower velocity) albeit not quite as easily, and quality brass is available.
To ma the ideal cartridge would be a 6.5 X 284 with the shoulder pushed back a bit leaving a longer neck. The 284 case has a greater volume than is really usefull and IMO needs more neck.
Another cartridge that bears examination it the 6.5 X 57 Mauser. Often overlooked because it is seldom seen in the states, it has slightly more capacity than the Swede, a nice long neck, and can readily be formed from quality brass. An Ackley Improved version might be just about ideal performance wise.
For some reason, the 6.5-284 wins most of the big prone 1000yd matches,50 competitors or more). Have not read or heard of the Swede winning any big matches. Would like to know what big matches the Swede has won. I would think that the top shooters would use the best cartridge to get any edge possible in competition.
Steve,
As you know, most of the "name" prone shooters have been using the 6.5/284 and winning many big events since the middle 90's anyway. Some AMU shooters have done well with it in big events also.
The key to really getting the bugger to shoot with minimal issues was using the 6.5x284 Norma chamber and the Lapua brass once it hit the streets. I'd used the Norma brass and did well with it, but the Lapua seemed to work out better for me. I only shot the Lapua 139's and I went that way because of mysterious "Houdini Bullets" that folks would get using Brand X, particularly when they tried to achieve warp drive with them in barrels that were long in the tooth. Rasmussen, Warner and Crawford come to mind immediately as victims of this plague.
If one uses a good lot of primers,mine were basic WLR's) and N160/N165/H4350/H4831SC, it's pretty hard not to get it to sling them out in that 2925-2950fps range with stellar accuracy.
As you know, most of the "name" prone shooters have been using the 6.5/284 and winning many big events since the middle 90's anyway. Some AMU shooters have done well with it in big events also.
The key to really getting the bugger to shoot with minimal issues was using the 6.5x284 Norma chamber and the Lapua brass once it hit the streets. I'd used the Norma brass and did well with it, but the Lapua seemed to work out better for me. I only shot the Lapua 139's and I went that way because of mysterious "Houdini Bullets" that folks would get using Brand X, particularly when they tried to achieve warp drive with them in barrels that were long in the tooth. Rasmussen, Warner and Crawford come to mind immediately as victims of this plague.
If one uses a good lot of primers,mine were basic WLR's) and N160/N165/H4350/H4831SC, it's pretty hard not to get it to sling them out in that 2925-2950fps range with stellar accuracy.
Just to stir things up a bit, did you consider the 6.5x55 Ackley Improved. check out comparison to the 6.5x284. I shoot just under 3000fps with excellent results...
Well, here's one thing about the Ackley Improveds. I can take Lapua 6.5 X 284 out of the box, iron the necks and neck size, touch up the chamfer, load and go shoot a match.
Used to be more fond of Ackleys years back but as I've gottne older and the job. family and other responsibilities have sucked up more time, simple, least number of steps and least amount of time becomes more appealing.
Used to be more fond of Ackleys years back but as I've gottne older and the job. family and other responsibilities have sucked up more time, simple, least number of steps and least amount of time becomes more appealing.
In my first 6.5-284,chambered by Wally Siebert), I used .284W brass necked down and had no problems.Shotist said:
Initially I used Sierra 142MK with no problems and switched to the Lapua 139 because they were cheaper.
I had barrels with well over 2500 rounds give very good results at 1000yd with the NRA 1000yd target.
I think that Gary's problem may have been the incorrect chambering for the Winchester brass
I've used Fed 210M and a friend uses CCI BR and have excellent results also. I don't think it's too hard to get good results with the 6.5-284W as long as the gunsmith is familiar with this cartridge.
BTW, I was turned on to the 6.5 bullet by shooting an old M96 with the Swede cartridge at 600 and 1000yd. That cartridge convinced me that the 6.5 bullet would be very competitive at 1000yd.
Give Alan Warner or any top shooter my Swede and I bet they would win a Regional or big shoot.
I won the first Bodines Match this year with my Swede.
I took second in the second match to a Old Bodines Pro and yeah I think this time he was shooting the 6.5x.284. He won because he could read the wind better. Not that his rifle was more accurate.
When I do my part Proteus-x and Beretta on the hide can attest my 6.5x55 SE will hold the X and 10 ring. No Problems!
The problem is the nut behind the trigger and that Dam Bodines WIND!
RHINOUT!
I won the first Bodines Match this year with my Swede.
I took second in the second match to a Old Bodines Pro and yeah I think this time he was shooting the 6.5x.284. He won because he could read the wind better. Not that his rifle was more accurate.
When I do my part Proteus-x and Beretta on the hide can attest my 6.5x55 SE will hold the X and 10 ring. No Problems!
The problem is the nut behind the trigger and that Dam Bodines WIND!
RHINOUT!
Agreed it's the shooter who wins the match but a winning shooter will choose the best equipment possible.rhino said:
Is Bodines in PA?
Having the skill to read the wind better is a definite advantage.
I do not know why more people do not choose the 6.5x55 but there must be an advantage to the 6.5-284. I have not shot the 6.5x55 in a dedicated prone rifle so I cannot make a comment to its performance relative to the 6.5-284 but I have read about some people using an improved version to get 6.5-284 velocities.
I am sure that many people can say that and I say it about the winds at the Rattlesnake range in WA :-,
I am sorry if I sound that way but I'm not going waste my time writing soothing words to avoid ruffling feathers. I am only trying to convey my experience on a topic in as a few words as possible. I don't pretend to be a novelist or politician.Shotist said:
Bodines is in PA, The Williamsport 1000 yard benchrest club is where we shoot...or did shoot.
My logic is this...
We both shoot a 6.5 bullet with the same bc at the same speed 2950 fps.
I have my load worked and my rifle will shoot with any in F-class.
Why do most people shoot the 6.5x.284...well F-class team members of the National team all have the same caliber 6.5x.284 so the spotter can make the wind calls. Plus I think they all have the same chamber and I believe the same person loaded for them. So makes sense.
Why not many swedes. You have to use RL-22, VIN N560 or Norma MRP to get the swede to do its best. Most people shoot Hogden powders...so thats one reason.
Another reason is your winning with the 6.5x.284 why change? Barrels are relatively cheap when you consider all the time and costs associated with shooting like hotel rooms, gas, food...etc. So you burn one barrel a year!
Yet another reason is its a proven winner both in 1000 yard benchrest and F-class. So immetation is the fonest form of flattery.
Hey, I admit it...it tried a 6.5x.284 for a year. HATED IT! WENT BACK TO SWEDE AND ME HAPPY!
RHINOUT!
My logic is this...
We both shoot a 6.5 bullet with the same bc at the same speed 2950 fps.
I have my load worked and my rifle will shoot with any in F-class.
Why do most people shoot the 6.5x.284...well F-class team members of the National team all have the same caliber 6.5x.284 so the spotter can make the wind calls. Plus I think they all have the same chamber and I believe the same person loaded for them. So makes sense.
Why not many swedes. You have to use RL-22, VIN N560 or Norma MRP to get the swede to do its best. Most people shoot Hogden powders...so thats one reason.
Another reason is your winning with the 6.5x.284 why change? Barrels are relatively cheap when you consider all the time and costs associated with shooting like hotel rooms, gas, food...etc. So you burn one barrel a year!
Yet another reason is its a proven winner both in 1000 yard benchrest and F-class. So immetation is the fonest form of flattery.
Hey, I admit it...it tried a 6.5x.284 for a year. HATED IT! WENT BACK TO SWEDE AND ME HAPPY!
RHINOUT!
I had a local gunsmith fit & chamber a #15 Krieger 8-twist in 6.5x55 for my Nesika K several years ago, and have had no problems running L139s or S142s a little over 2900fps with good accuracy, using N160. The one thing I do get a little tired of is case trimming - and cases with lots of taper seem to need it more often than those with less taper and sharper shoulder angles. I do my own barrel work now, and decided to try the 6.5x55 AI in a new BAT 3L long action. Robertsons shipped a new H&H stock for the BAT last week, and the barrel,30" #14 Bartlein 8.5-twist) is finished, ready to shoot as soon as I finish inletting & bedding the stock. It'll be interesting to compare the results I get with the Ackley version to what I've seen with the std. Swede.
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