6 XC vs 6.5 x 284

[icepick]

Hey, looking for comments/advice/opinions on a decision.
I'm shooting a 6 BR right now,30" 1-8" tw) its a fantastic shooter but i'm considering something hotter for the 900 and 1000 yards shoots.
Getting alot of people tell me 6.5x284 is the way to go but they're hard on barrels, I like the info. i'm reading on the 6XC but don't know anyone with one. I'm looking for pros/cons here and opinions.

Thanks guys

Mike.

 

[Raptor]

My 6XC would not hold a candle to my 6.5x284 in the real world. They look great on paper but when your shooting to 1000+ yds the 6.5x284 is just hard to beat.

 

[spclark]

The AMU uses 6.5x284 for LR, so that should tell you something, but then again they have our tax dollars to spend on new barrels & stuff....

What bullets you shooting in the BR? I'd guess nothing heavier than a 105-108? Those working with the 6XC now for LR are using the 115's,Berger, DTAC) to good effect but it's a bit too soon to tell if the 6XC can equal or better the 6.5. Many of us think it can, but we just haven't been shooting it enough to know for sure.

Go read the RL17 reviews on the Daily Bulletins here for more info on what German Salazar's been doing down in Phoenix this season with his 6XC. He sold all his 6.5x284 stuff last year....

 

[rhino]

Why not a 6.5x55 Swede?

RHINOUT!

 

[FALPhil]

Why not a 6.5x55 Swede?

Same reason nobody hunts with the cartridge that has taken more big game than any other in North America anymore, the 30-30 Win.

 

[Raptor]

Well if your insinuating the Sweede isn't up to the task as far as vel. or accuracy then your missing the boat too.

 

[DogBuster]

6.5x55 or 260 AI

 

[rhino]

Same reason nobody hunts with the cartridge that has taken more big game than any other in North America anymore, the 30-30 Win

I wonder if you have read my posts? I shoot the same 6.5 bullets at 2950fps just like the 6.5x.284 and I have won shoots and usually finish in the top three.

Accucracy is top notch out of my WTC rifle and the only limiting factor in the equation is me.

RHINOUT!

 

[icepick]

I appreciate the input guys but maybe I should fine tune the question.
I'd kinda like to build the 6 XC.
Do you think it,ll keep up or be as good as,or better) then the 6.5 x 284 at 1000 yds ??

Mike

 

[rcw3]

No and people are kidding themselves if they think a 6XC can match the performace of a 6.5 x 284, especially on a windy day! If it was, the US F Class Team would be shooting 6XC's, instead of the 6.5 x 284's they are shooting. 6mm has less recoil and would be the clear choice if it was felt it was comparable. That's not to say you can't get somewhat close to 6.5 x 284 performance with a 6XC, but you have to run a 6XC a lot harder to keep up, and running it hard then brings up other potential issues that factor into consistent accuracy.

Just my 2 cents.

Robert Whitley

 

[billmo]

I agree Robert. I love the 6mm s, but the B C s of the 6.5 tell the story in the wind. Bill

 

[rhino]

I watched a very very well known Williamsport BR shooter shooting his 6xc while his wife shot the 6.5x.284. She beat him, and me by a few points.

I watched him shoot and could tell the wind definately affected the 6mm more than the 6.5mm. And this guy can shoot!

I am sure the people at Williamsport know who I am referring too.

RHINOUT!

 

[HPMike800]

Mike:
I am in the middle of a 1000 yd build, I choose 6XC. I've always considered the 6.5X284 a cartridge for people chasing Match wins and high x-counts. 50 cents a shot in barrel wear is too much for any but the top high masters. For middle level shooters there are other concerns, Like how many months a year can you afford to have your gun sitting on a shelf at your gunsmiths. Many top shooters have multiple rifles, do you?

There are many good cartridge choices for a middle level shooter for LR. 260rem, 284win, 308win, even 6XC. I have been shooting 260, but, my love for my 6BR, low recoil and the promise of RL 17 pushed me over the edge.

Mike

 

[Mudcat]

Its called compromises, and sometimes you have to make them. While I will choose the 6.5x284 over the 6XC when i want every advantage I can get, there are lots of reasons to choose the 6XC, or the 6.5 Swede, etc. Most, if not all, have been mentioned. The biggest issue for me is barrel life as I know I will only get 1000-1500, tops, rounds our of the 6.5x284. You are looking at double that range for the 6XC. On no so windy days, the 6XC is going to do that job well, but on windy ones, the 6.5x284 just gives you that extra leeway. While the 6XC looks great on paper compared to the 6.5x284, I just dont think its that close out on the range....close, but not the same. And sometimes, that little bit of "not the same" will cost you an X or a point....that wont win a match.

If you want the big dog, you gotta pay the price. If you can get by with something just a bit less than the big dog, go with the 6xc or the Swede or the 6.5 Creedmoor or the like. But, like anything else, there is no free lunch....though sometimes you can get it discounted!

John

 

[chrisj]

A 243 has beaten all of the 6.5x284's the last 2 years @ Camp Perry in the LR events. That certainly doesn't mean that the 243 bucks the wind better, but it must be pretty darn close to beat the Many talented 6.5x284 shooters out there.

Someone posted about the better B.C's of the 6.5....The 6mm bullets are right there in terms of B.C. with a number of bullets. If a heavier bullet shoots better in the wind,assuming similar B.C.'s) then 284's and 7mm mags would beat 6.5x284 and 30 mags would be 7mm's and so on.

Chris

 

[rcw3]

A 243 has beaten all of the 6.5x284's the last 2 years @ Camp Perry in the LR events. That certainly doesn't mean that the 243 bucks the wind better, but it must be pretty darn close to beat the Many talented 6.5x284 shooters out there.

Someone posted about the better B.C's of the 6.5....The 6mm bullets are right there in terms of B.C. with a number of bullets. If a heavier bullet shoots better in the wind,assuming similar B.C.'s) then 284's and 7mm mags would beat 6.5x284 and 30 mags would be 7mm's and so on.

Chris

So it's the cartridge that won the long range championship? I don't think so.

Robert Whitley

 

[billmo]

Chris, Go to the 6.5 Grendel Cartridge Guide and read about 6.5 BCs vs. 6mm BCs. Just looks to me like with only a small amount of elevation adjustment the 6.5 Grendel would be as good or a better choice than the comparable 6mm s. I am not talking down the 6mm s. I own several but I also own the 6.5 Grendel. I plan to do some 800 yd. testing with it against the 6mm s that I own when I get a chance and see how it all shakes out. Bill

 

[icepick]

Thanks guys
HPMike 800,multiple guns) Yes i do have multiple guns. I've just finished a 6 PPC, I'm still fireforming new brass.
I currently shoot a 6BR, 30" BARRELL 1-8" TW built off of a Remington XR 100. I'm throwing 105 Lapua's,was using 107 smk's) down the range at around 2900 fps. The ballistics match the rifle my buddy is just building now a 6.5x47.
The XC LARGER BULLETS,115/111's @ 3000-3100fps) are a match according to the math and the software to the 6.5x284 shooting the 142 gr scenars.
But, 1 I would like to be different from the local crowd, I understand the canadian b.c. boys are all shooting BR's.
And 2 I don't want a barrell burner
And 3 I thought it might be cool having 3 6mm rifles.

As for 1000 yd accuracy Last weekend I shot the lt.gov.'s match here in Ontario. On the one match,1000yd) after the 2 siters I had 10 Bullseyes, the problem is only 5 of them were "V" bulls and I ended up in 8th.
I want the other 5 back next year and 1st place. If I don't win I want it to be my fault. I'd like the 6.5 performance with out smoking barrells.
I was just looking here for confirmation from someone that's used one that it could be a plausable upgrade from the exhisting BR I have now.
I'll probably still used the BR from 300-800 and keep the round count down on the 900-1000 yd gun.

Pic one 6PPC

Pic 2 6BR,now with nightforce)

And as for being the big dog, this is a picture of my son with my PGW 50 BMG

Mike.

 

[flatlander]

Mike, I like your taste in stocks - I've got a couple of Ian & Kelly's H&H stocks in that same Vermont Granite color pattern, and enjoy the comments I get on them.

The first H&H is on a BAT 3L with a 30" 7.5-twist .236" bore Krieger chambered for 6x47 Lapua, and I love the way this rifle handles the 115s,Berger & DTAC). This was my 2nd 6x47 - the 1st was built around a short 700 with a Bartlein .237" bore 8-twist in a McMillan A5. The Bartlein is 100fps faster than the Krieger with 115s - logic would lead one to expect that, what with the tighter bore & faster twist of the Krieger, and I wasn't the least surprised that it turned out that way. I will order .237" bores on future Kriegers. I've worked up to 3095fps with moly'd DTAC 115s & RL17 in the Bartlein so far, and have yet to see pressure signs, so may well get closer to the 3200+fps German Salazar got with his 6XC. That makes the 6x47 a contender at 1000, just as it would a 6XC. If the conditions are such that I feel under-gunned with the 6x47, I'll shoot a straight 284W with Berger or JLK 180s - I expect to be able to get upwards of 2900fps with the 180s using RL17, and that's going to beat the best of the 6.5x284s in the wind.

 

[chrisj]

A 243 has beaten all of the 6.5x284's the last 2 years @ Camp Perry in the LR events. That certainly doesn't mean that the 243 bucks the wind better, but it must be pretty darn close to beat the Many talented 6.5x284 shooters out there.

Someone posted about the better B.C's of the 6.5....The 6mm bullets are right there in terms of B.C. with a number of bullets. If a heavier bullet shoots better in the wind,assuming similar B.C.'s) then 284's and 7mm mags would beat 6.5x284 and 30 mags would be 7mm's and so on.

Chris

So it's the cartridge that won the long range championship? I don't think so.

Robert Whitley

I am stating that the cartridge in the hands of a TOP shooter CAN WIN. He shot against other shooters who have won before with 6.5x284's and other cartridges. I'm just saying that the 243 or othe 6mms are Capable of winning @ 1000 yards.

Chris