necked down 6.5-284 cases to 6mm

[NOTAHD]

I have a bunch of 6.5-284 cases and fixing to re chamber this rifle into a 6mm-284. I would like to find a die to do this. It could be a new one or a good used one

 

[shortgrass]

Redding makes dies as do other manufactures. Always best to use new brass when necking up or down. The 6mm x.284 really needs a 26" barrel to take full advantage of the round. And, then best loaded with 107g. + weight bullets which require a 1 in 7 or 8 twist. If you plan on shooting less bullet weight the 6mmAI is the road to take. jmo

 

[WyleWD]

With the 6-284 that I recently sold, I just ran the 6.5-284 brass through the FL resizing die, loaded and shot. No issues with it. WD

 

[jonbearman]

I resized over 400 rounds for a friend and lost 2 to my own stupidity.
WyleWD is absolutely correct.My friend spent extra money when he called redding ,they sold him a forming die and it never got used.

 

[NOTAHD]

Redding makes dies as do other manufactures. Always best to use new brass when necking up or down. The 6mm x.284 really needs a 26" barrel to take full advantage of the round. And, then best loaded with 107g. + weight bullets which require a 1 in 7 or 8 twist. If you plan on shooting less bullet weight the 6mmAI is the road to take. jmo

I am looking into a 27 or 28" barrel now with a 1 in 9 twist. A friend has this set up and is a tack driver. I have 3 different 243's in my collection and thought I would try something a little different with one of them. Plus I recieved a 5 custom dies 2 are brand new from a friend that is the other reason for the change, thanks for the input.

 

[Catfish]

When I am necking up or down I alway dip the case necks in an old bullet box with number 12 shot and Mica to lube the necks. I load on a 550 Dillon and have been known to just put the 6.5 brass in and load it like it was 6-284 to start with. 1 other thing you may not know, with the 6-284 you will get a ring at the shoulder - neck joint and have to inside neck ream it out. I do it at least every other time I fire the case.

 

[wboggs]

Think about a 1-8 twist and a 30" barrel. Sounds as if you are trying to maximize velocity and the longer barrel will help you do this. Accuracy in my 1-8 6xc is outstanding.

 

[queen_stick]

...with the 6-284 you will get a ring at the shoulder - neck joint and have to inside neck ream it out. I do it at least every other time I fire the case.

that's interesting...

 

[wboggs]

Think about a longer barrel, say 30" or so. You are trying for top velocity and a longer barrel will achieve this. Also, go with the faster 1-8 or 1-7 twist that will alow you to use the long heavy bullets.
It sounds like a fun project but remember your barrel and treat it with kindness or it won't last long.

 

[Rodbolt]

Redding makes dies as do other manufactures. Always best to use new brass when necking up or down. The 6mm x.284 really needs a 26" barrel to take full advantage of the round. And, then best loaded with 107g. + weight bullets which require a 1 in 7 or 8 twist. If you plan on shooting less bullet weight the 6mm AI is the road to take. jmo

I am looking into a 27 or 28" barrel now with a 1 in 9 twist. A friend has this set up and is a tack driver. I have 3 different 243's in my collection and thought I would try something a little different with one of them. Plus I recieved a 5 custom dies 2 are brand new from a friend that is the other reason for the change, thanks for the input.

NOTAHD,

You are okay with a 1 in 9" twist but I totally disagree the with folks recommending 1 in 7" or 8". I only own one 6-284 but do own 6BR, BRX, Dasher, 6mm Remington, 243, 243AI and 240 Wby. The 284 case capacity is that of a 30-06, different animal than a 6BR throwing 105's @ 2800 in a 8" twist. My experience is that the 6-284 is an "okay" hotrod for live animals-- if you can stand the muzzle blast, I prefer a 1 in 10" or 12" twist barrels.

With new cases and Imperial Case lube/wax you should be fine going from 6.5 to 6mm in one step. Good luck with your new hotrod.

 

[Bobthenailer]

Good info here, I only use a form die when sizing down to 6mm-284 from 284 in one shot. The necks need to be turned then to .014" otherwise as said just run the 6.5-284 thru a 6mm-284 die, never seen the inside ring mentioned?

 

[ChuckMiller]

I've got 2, one is a 1-8, the other a 1-10 and only use 284 brass, probably more because of cost than anything else and the fact I was shooting a 6-284 long before I got a 6.5. I do use the form die and have never inside neck reamed. I would think that taking the 6.5 down to 6mm would be a natural.

 

[RossL]

Hope sharing my experiences will help in your decision. I suggest you go with a 1in 8 twist to capitalize on the new Berger 105 hybrid.

6.5-284 lapua brass was easy to neck down with a form die I made from an old barrel and my chamber reamer. It is a perfect inbetween step. Second step was redding S bushing die.

My 6-284 is still shooting with good accuracy with almost 900 rounds through it. It has never been fired more than three shots at a time and is frequently cleaned. Bore scope shows cracking near throat for several inches up the bore. It still cleans up fine but it is beginning to take more time to do it. Have no idea when it will loose its accuracy but when it does it will get set back and rechambered for a new lease on life.

This rifle was built as a LR varmint rig for our jackrabbits and occasional coyotes. We typically sit from a vantage point to glass up the animals. It is a bartlein 5R 30" 1 in 7.5 twist put together to use DTACs which never shot well. I moved to 107 sierras till Berger's new 105 hybrid showed. Based on my experience with these 105 hybrids I would seriously consider making it a 1 in 8 twist to shoot them. The bullet if very forgiving with bullet seating depth something the VLDs just don't deliver. I was able to set my rem 700 up as a repeater using a wyatt's mag box. Bullet jump is .065" yet it shoots 1/4 MOA.

Not hotrodding it too hard. Using Retumbo, vel of 3365 with 105s. Lapua brass has been fired 7 times, primer pockets are still tight. Will finally have to trim the brass that has been fired 8 times.

Enjoy this interesting round.