6X284 question

[Klong]

Why is it that 6X284 is not mentioned much for long range competiition. I know the 6 mm BR, BRX, and Dasher are all shooters. I would thingk the 100 fps or so that the 6X284 can produce would be better.I can see that the others sre more efficient. Is it because the 6.5x284 over shaddows it? Just curious as I have both but have not shot them in benchrest.

 

[1000yardstare]

Klong - barrel life!!!

An F Class buddy had a 6mm/.284 made up a few years ago. After 600 rounds the bullets were seeking their own path to the target. He took it to the barrelsmith (who makes excellent barrels) for a borescoping. My buddy knew he had a problem when the `smiths eyebrows disappeared into his hairline.

Various comments from the `smith about smoothbore disappearing 200 years ago got the message across that the 6mm/.284 has a short barrel life.

But there seems to be an increasing number of shooters who regard barrels as expendable items - same as powder, bullets and primers.

So if the 6mm/.284 is giving the performance you want, limiit its use and be prepared for frequent barrel changes.

 

[Klong]

Thanks for the reply! I may see about a straight 284 or a 6.5x284 for the next barrel. I figured there was a good explanation.

 

[1000yardstare]

Now that the 6.5-284 has been in general use the past few years mainly due to the Savage target rifles, barrel life has become a concern, at least in Ontario. And this is under the Canuck/Brit/Aussie system of shooting in pairs or threes, alternating shots. The single string U.S. system would be even harder on barrels.

But there are those who say that with all the thousands of dollars a shooter has tied up in equipment, barrel life is just another anticipated expense.

The straight .284 Win is looking attractive to more Canadian F Classers. The Quebec shooters were talking last Summer about going .284 Win for this Summer. Their main reason was longer anticipated barrel life with the larger bore. The Canadian Nationals start the end of this week. Will be interesting to see how many Quebeckers show up with .284 Wins.

The Ontario Provincials this past weekend saw the F Class Champion using a 7mm WSM and Win brass. Don`t know what bullet he was using. He beat a whole bunch of 6.5-284.

I was thinking of rebarreling my shot-out 6AI to 6.5AI but am now thinking of going up to 7AI. Just a matter of necking up all that 6AI brass. Will anneal first.

 

[lpreddick]

l was aware of the 6-284s reputation for short barrel life, but great accuracy when i had mine made. i am a varmint hunter and needed long range accuracy(400+ yards). i found a very accurate load...105 berger vlds hollowpointed by myself, rel 22 51.5 grains, 8 twist kreiger. i had less than 300 rounds at that point. now i can whack 400+ more groundhogs before my barrel "shoots out". i really expect more since most 6-284s are used in competition(rapid shooting=heat=erosion=lost accuracy).

if i can see you, i can touch youBANG!

 

[kendoka66]

My 6x284 is going strong and has 1,587 rounds through it, still shoots great. Last week I put 5 shots into .738" at 200 yards not to shabby. It has a Krieger S/S 26" 1 in 9 twist 4 groove.
Recently I switched over to 115 Berger vld,s,I was shooting the 105 Berger and Sierra 107Mk,s. They still shoot tight groups.I try not to get the barrel hot , I use a Sham Wow soaked in ice water to keep it cool after every 5 shots.
The barrel looks good and I don,t think it is near it death just yet.
This is the second barrel that I had chambered for the 6x284 it was a Douglas 1 in 10 twist. That barrel went 2,540 shots.

 

[1000yardstare]

66, what velocities are you shooting to get that kind of barrel life in a cartridge that is known to be hard on barrels?

 

[Kenny474]

Kendoka66, I too am curious as to powder and velocity, as you seem to be getting more than double the normal life and then some from your barrels. Have you set back and rechambered the barrel? Also, how is your accuracy at long range, considering the Berger 115gr in a 9 twist only has an SG of 1.013 at 3100fps@70degF? Berger also recommends a 1-7 or faster barrel for the 115. Not that it's not possible to shoot well, just curious as to how it does.

Granted my 6-284 was chambered in a chrome-moly barrel on an H&R Ultra Varmint Fluted and was less than ideal, but it's short throat is ancient history with only 850rds down the pipe. I never abused it, and was pretty easy on it for the majority of it's life with regards to hot loads. It still shoots well, but it's days are numbered and the number ain't big!

 

[ChuckMiller]

I've got 2, one a Savage with a Shilen 1-8tw prefit and the other a Cooper M22 with a 1-10tw. Both rifles have shot over 1000 rounds ea, neither will shoot as well as when they were new. They still shoot in the 5-6's which on a target at 100yds looks pretty good for a 5 shot group. I'll keep shooting them until I see a reason not to. As with most of the big 6's keeping them cool and staying away from extended strings seems to be the key. I don't compete with either and I can tell ya that a 70gr Sierra BK at 3900fps works magic on a feral pig.

 

[kendoka66]

474, Your guess is right on ,3100fps. with the 115 Berger VLD. The load I use is Reloader 25 - 53 grains with the Winchester primer, C.O.A.L is 3.055".I use Win. brass. It shoots under M.O.A all the way to 810 yards. I don,t shoot at 100 yards only long range. Some of the groups are simply GREAT. I guess my barrels have been good one,s. I have not set the barrels back.The 105 and 107, I kick them out at just over 3,250 fps. 56 grains of Retumbo. The 115 really surprised me when I started shooting them at their accuracy with a 1/9 twist. They fly very flat and buck the wind really well. I have on several occasions put all 5 into 1.5" at 548 yards!,that is not the norm. 2 1/2" is more common. I have out shot .308,s way out there.

 

[Kenny474]

Kendoka66, I am sending you all my barrels for a break in period. I hope you don't mind, but your evidently doing something that I don't!

Maybe I can get some actual barrel life that way.

 

[Bobthenailer]

Nothing wrong with 6mm-284.......least we forget take a look thru the archives.

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek019.html

 

[kendoka66]

I am currently re cleaning my barrel using Bore Tech CU 2+ copper remover and Carbon Remover these are new products so I was amassed at how much Copper was still in there, seems to really work well. Maybe it will get some of that hidden copper and Carbon out.

 

[BIGGUNGOBOOM]

my 6-284 is working its way past 800 rounds so far on the 13 twist barrel, I havent noticed a huge change in the groupings, But I do watch the heat build up and try not to smoke the bullets out there as well. I have to say though it is one of my favorite rounds

 

[kendoka66]

I really like my 6mmx.284 as well,it has Winchester M70 action not the claw style. Also I use a Jewell trigger set at 1lbs.,The Krieger barrel has been great. I waiting for the heat to go away so I can start shooting it again. Barrel life has been outstanding,I keep my barrel as cool as possible and keep it clean also.

 

[Ironworker]

My 6x284 was grand until Re#17 was invented . Now its "Bad to the Bone" in fact kings and queens step aside when I take it out of its case. Rem 700 Hart 26" 10twist bbl . 53.5 Re#17 pushed 90gr Noslers BT 3600+ 8)

 

[Bobthenailer]

Thanks to Ironworker I found RL17 to be the king with my 6-284! 1/4" groups at 100yards, 54grains @ 3844fps push those 66grain pills good enough for me ;D

 

[DOGCAPPER]

LPREDDICK

What is the velocity on the 51.5 RL / 107 load??

 

[lpreddick]

dogcapper: my 6-284 pushes a 105 berger vld to 3400 fps...barrel is kreiger 1 in 8 twist,28 in long. i may have to try rel 17 which gets me 3200 fps in my 6.5-284 sending a 123 gr lapua. the bergers are into the lands slightly while the 123 lapuas are jumped a little. they both do a fine job on long shots at groundhogs...532 yds for the 6-284 and 516 yrds for the 6.5-284.

if i can see you, i can touch you.BANG!

 

[MoaFlat]

My 6x284 is going strong and has 1,587 rounds through it, still shoots great. Last week I put 5 shots into .738" at 200 yards not to shabby. It has a Krieger S/S 26" 1 in 9 twist 4 groove.
Recently I switched over to 115 Berger vld,s,I was shooting the 105 Berger and Sierra 107Mk,s. They still shoot tight groups.I try not to get the barrel hot , I use a Sham Wow soaked in ice water to keep it cool after every 5 shots.
The barrel looks good and I don,t think it is near it death just yet.
This is the second barrel that I had chambered for the 6x284 it was a Douglas 1 in 10 twist. That barrel went 2,540 shots.