Anyone shooting a 6.5x284 Shehane?

[Redrams]

Can’t seem to find any info on the 6.5x284 Shehane, dealing with loads, powders, accuracy etc, compared to the straight 6.5x284.
Am running a couple of F-Open rifles in 6.5x284 with 153.5gr Bergers, and with all the new 300 WSMs and 7-6.5PRCW, etc showing up, was thinking of possibly spinning up a Shehane version, but can’t find any real information on it.
Anyone have any hands on experience with this, or even a 6.5x284 Ackley Improved or 37-40 degree shoulder mod?
‘thanks.

 

[stacy]

I believe that’s all the Stephane is improved version Mr Bill himself is a member on here he designed it he can help you

 

[Kurz]

Bill Shehane:

https://forum.accurateshooter.com/members/billshehane.539052/

There is some very good reloading data available on the internet if you use a decent search term but Bill's first hand experience will certainly top anything you might find except his articles.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The Shehane is .010 larger in diameter at the shoulder. Very small difference. Not sure that you will gain the performance your looking for. Most guys that shoot the 7mm version run the same speed as the 284.

 

[Redrams]

Thanks for the info Alex, always appreciate your feedback and real world experience.
I’ve been using my 6.5x284 the last 2 seasons, running the Berger 153.5/Re23 in the 2920-2930fps node, and it shoots fantastic there. Have my freebore cut really long to get the most out of the bullet.
It has also been my experience as well, that the majority of guys on the line at matches I’ve shot the last couple years, are running roughly the same speeds in their Shehanes as their previous 284s. Somewhere in the 2830-2880fps nodes.
I have also seen a couple guys though, running their Shehanes in the mid 2950 fps speeds and it shoots fantastic for them there too, and the node seems very stable for them there. I shot a 3-day match last fall against a top shooter, in which he was running his Shehane with 4831sc, 2940/2950 all 3 days, and it was super impressive how tight his gun grouped at 1000y, even when dirty on the 4th relays of the day. This is what got me intrigued to see if there was potentially also an upper node for my 6.5 to run, in Shehane form as well.
Was thinking that if I could run the 153.5gr in the 3000-3020fps range, it would then run with all the hot 7mm and even nip at the 300WSMs that are ever more common these days.
I do have a couple die blanks I could chamber and a couple spare barrels, and all the components, but have been on the fence whether it is truly worth the bit of extra cost and time?
It seems like a very obscure variation of the 6.5x284 though, and not much info at all on it anywhere on the net I can come across.
Do you have an opinion either way, on whether the Shehane versions may be more easy to tune, more accurate, or a bit better barrel life, all else being equal?

 

[FeMan]

Interesting. I have never seen a 6.5x284 Sheehane, but my inclination is that if that cartridge truly were easier to tune, more accurate, or had better barrel life we would see them more. If you are looking to run 150 class bullets at 3,000, the 6.5 PRC seems like it would get you there easier with better brass and a shorter powder column. But I have also not seen one of those on the line at an F-Class match.

 

[Sandstorm]

I do believe a 7mm will always beat a 6.5 in windy competition situations.
I could be totally wrong, but its been my experience so far. YMMV however.
good luck.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Thanks for the info Alex, always appreciate your feedback and real world experience.
I’ve been using my 6.5x284 the last 2 seasons, running the Berger 153.5/Re23 in the 2920-2930fps node, and it shoots fantastic there. Have my freebore cut really long to get the most out of the bullet.
It has also been my experience as well, that the majority of guys on the line at matches I’ve shot the last couple years, are running roughly the same speeds in their Shehanes as their previous 284s. Somewhere in the 2830-2880fps nodes.
I have also seen a couple guys though, running their Shehanes in the mid 2950 fps speeds and it shoots fantastic for them there too, and the node seems very stable for them there. I shot a 3-day match last fall against a top shooter, in which he was running his Shehane with 4831sc, 2940/2950 all 3 days, and it was super impressive how tight his gun grouped at 1000y, even when dirty on the 4th relays of the day. This is what got me intrigued to see if there was potentially also an upper node for my 6.5 to run, in Shehane form as well.
Was thinking that if I could run the 153.5gr in the 3000-3020fps range, it would then run with all the hot 7mm and even nip at the 300WSMs that are ever more common these days.
I do have a couple die blanks I could chamber and a couple spare barrels, and all the components, but have been on the fence whether it is truly worth the bit of extra cost and time?
It seems like a very obscure variation of the 6.5x284 though, and not much info at all on it anywhere on the net I can come across.
Do you have an opinion either way, on whether the Shehane versions may be more easy to tune, more accurate, or a bit better barrel life, all else being equal?

No I wouldnt say either is more accurate, easier to tune, or has better barrel life. If you have to get custom dies Id put a 40 degree shoulder on it too. Most Shehanes cant live at 2950. Thats eating primer pockets for most barrels.

 

[Bc'z]

Interesting. I have never seen a 6.5x284 Sheehane, but my inclination is that if that cartridge truly were easier to tune, more accurate, or had better barrel life we would see them more. If you are looking to run 150 class bullets at 3,000, the 6.5 PRC seems like it would get you there easier with better brass and a shorter powder column. But I have also not seen one of those on the line at an F-Class match.

With roughly 8-10gr more powder than the 6.5-284
Is the juice with the squeeze?
I don't know how they would compare with heavies but with 140 class bullets and limited exposure i really wasn't impressed with the PRC.

 

[Redrams]

Feman, I haven’t seen anyone run an actual Hornady 6.5PRC in F-Open. I’m sure it has the horsepower to run 6.5mm bullets faster then the 6.5x284, but maybe not at the accuracy levels of the 6.5x284 or of the 7FCP or 7-6.5PRCW. These 7mms are purpose built F-Open designed from the ground up calibres, designed for specifically f class with better case design/powder burn etc, then an off the shelf 6.5 or 7 PRC. I know tons of guys I shooting these ‘wildcat’’ calibers on the line, and they can shoot superb and are a now a common f class caliber.
There are very few people running the 6.5s in f open anymore, but with the introduction of the Berger 153.5, it really does equal out the BCs between them and the 7mm bullets. Also I have been able to run the 163.5 faster then the 7mm stuff until last year when the newer 7mm custom designed calibres came along, pushing Berger 180/184s into the 2900’s, plus there’s a real push for 300wsm-running Berger 215s, as well with guys wanting to win matches and finish at the top.
So now I’m exploring any ways to be able to run my 6.5 any quicker, to keep up, and not sacrifice accuracy in the process. It might be a case of, ’’if you can’t beat em, join em’’ though?
I have had great success with my 6.5x284 the last couple seasons though and after some initial issues and a bit of frustrating lengthy load work ups with different powers and bullets etc, I have found really good match loads equal to in accuracy and node width to my old Dashers. Which is no small feat. Just feeling like I have less advantages now running those 6.5 bullets. Which brought me full circle around to possibly doing a Shehane in 6.5.
Prior to the 6.5x284, I have run 284 Win and a 284 for 2-3 seasons, and liked them very much, but as an off-season project, took a flyer on spinning up a 6.5x284, and found it more accurate and easier to shoot then the 7mm stuff, so didn’t go back.