which 6.5 or other cartridge to build my first custom 1000 yard gun/ hunting rif

[lh leggtowner]

Okay,
I know already this subject has been beaten to death. But, I am fairly new to this site and I need answers. So, I feel I can get opinions from guys that have already gone through the same thing that I have. I have a guy that can build me a beautiful custom rifle. The major issue is that I want to finally narrow down the caliber.
Let me say this... I want to hunt with this rifle. I will be hunting from a blind so, barrel length is absolutely no problem. It also has to be a repeater where magazines will be used. My main issue is caliber.

I have narrowed it down to a 6.5 of some sort or .284 AI. I feel like there are positives to both. I also feel that there are NEGATIVES for them also.

This is where all you guys and gals come in. I want to hear the positives and negatives from these cartridges. I want to see what everyone has gone through to get the perfect cartridge for them.

I also want to go and shoot a 1000 yard match that is local if I want too. I know that any 6.5 or 284 that is fast enough will do the job.

I have almost narrowed it down to a long action. I have preliminary knocked it down to 6mm-06, 6.5x284, 260AI (short action) , last 284 AI.

If you guys have any insight or opinions, please let me know. I am at the mercy of the people that tell me there opinions.

Thanks, and let the fun begin.

 

[Jnewman]

What are you hunting and how much are you gonna shoot at matches? All of them are great for hunting depending on the size of game and how far you want to shoot them at.6.5x284 is a great cartridge but its a barrel burner so shooting a lot of matches a new barrel will come sooner. A 284 AI is also another great cartridge has better barrel life and you can load heavier bullets for larger game but has more recoil.

 

[lh leggtowner]

Absolutely more hunting than shooting matches. Whitetailed deer in the South is where the hunting will be done. I have a couple of places where I can shoot 1000 yards. Matches is secondary. I have friends that love shooting long distance. 300 yards plus is a norm. This is where most of the shooting will be done. Hunting is where the other 1 percent or less will be done. I will be toting it more hunting just a hell of a lot less shooting.

 

[savagedasher]

Straight 260 will do just fine and have barrel life. Good Shooting Larry

 

[Jnewman]

Have you thought any about the 6.5x47 lapua

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi LH,hi all

LH why don't you investigate the 6.5x57(old european deer cartridge)based on the venerable 7x57 Mauser,nearly 1/4" longer than the 308 case? I'm awaiting a barrel for it that will be cut in NZ by True Flite,I designed an improved version of it with 30° shoulder,longer body,shorter neck,a little more powder capacity than the 6.5x55 Swede,will push the 120gr Nosler BT just around 3100fps,perfect for my intended hunting use I'm sure.The donor rifle is a Vanguard 2 in 270 I bought in march.I had a reamer desighed by JGS for it,and a machinist friend of mine here in Noumea will do the job of taking barrel out and putting newone in place... Hardly can wait...I'll tell you about it when I start shooting.The 6.5X57 is pretty common in central Europe where it's the smaller cartridge usable for deer hunting.

 

[expiper]

I would build a .284 and shoot 140/150 gr bullets for deer and 175/180 for target ....pretty hard to beat,,,Roger

 

[benchracer]

I have both a 6.5-284 and a 6.5x55, both with 26" barrels. I have shot them side by side out to 600 yards. I am underwhelmed by the 6.5-284 and consider it to be a very over rated cartridge. I much prefer the 6.5x55. My Swede is more accurate, there is very little difference in trajectory, and Lapua brass for the Swede is quite a bit less expensive and more available than 6.5-284. In a long action, I would take the Swede over a .260.

Having said that, it is hard for me to argue with expiper's logic in recommending the .284. If you want a 6.5, go Swede and don't look back.

 

[Drop Port]

I would go with the 284 Win. Give a 162 A-Max a try, if they shoot you area good for target and deer. I've watched this combo do well at tactical matches in long tough conditions and in the field.

 

[Jet]

Give this article a read. It does not answer your specific hunting question but is a good read and comparison of some 6.5s.

http://demigodllc.com/articles/6.5-shootout-260-6.5x47-6.5-creedmoor/?p=1

I shoot two seperate 260s at 600yd and am very pleased with their performance. For 1K, I would choose a faster 6.5 or one of the popular 6MMs used for that distance.

Jet

 

[Raptor]

I have shot and or have most of the ones talked about. I loved the 6.5x284 but it has terrible barrel life. I like the 260 class cases but feel they are on the small side for the heavier 140s they really shine with the 120 to 130s.

I have shot a lot of the 6mms and they are very accurate esp the BR family but in the wind they suck!! I know the computers say they will run with the heavier bullets because of the extra speed. Well I have shot them side by side and every time the heavier bullets shoot better in the wind hands down!

My pick would be a straight 284. Forget the improved. You don't need it. It just wears your barrel out faster forming brass. The stock 284 is a "HAMMER" I have shot mine accuratley to one mile. It was scary how well it shot at that distance and that was with 162AMAXs I can only imagine what it would do with a 180 Berger.

I have over 1600rds through mine and its just now starting to show some throat wear. My 6.5x284 would be toast by now. THey say you can get 3000+ accurate rounds out of the 284s and I belive I will be able to do it. I love the 284 and as long as I shoot long range it will be my go to gun. Just my thoughts on it.

 

[savagedasher]

The reason I said a straight 260 is because of the barrel life and the ease of loading. 6.5 284 eats barrels normally the never make a 1000rd. 6.5+ 55 is a great but the case is rated for 55000 psi and hold 57 Gr of water. 260 is 62000 psi and hold 54 gr of water. The 260 the parent case is a 308 . We all know how good they were.


Good shooting Larry

 

[lh leggtowner]

Hey Savagedasher, I have a friend right now building a .260. It seems to be a fine caliber. But, on this site alone I have read many people talk about the caliber being feniky. I thought about it because just the ease of the loading and components being ample. I sincerely appreciate your opinion and will take it into consideration. Again, thanks.

 

[lh leggtowner]

Hey Jnewman, I have thought of the 6.5x47 and talked with my gunsmith about it. He said it did not have enough juice to do what I wanted to do. JS. He said if I wanted to go 47mm , he would suggest 6x47. He thought the 6mm was a whole lot suited for the 47mm case. Hey, I sincerely thank you. But, I have ruled the 6.5x47 out.

 

[lh leggtowner]

Hello Clod-NC. Sounds very interesting. How about you letting me know how this turns out when you send a few down range. Again, Thanks.

 

[BOBC]

Nothing wrong with a 260 improved. Know several 1000yd shooters who have used them with 30" barrels and have had no problems keeping up with the 7's. The 6.5 seems to be an inherently accurate caliber more so than the 7mm. And if you can find a long 6.5 VLD bullet a little heavier than a 140gr you might be pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

Good luck and good shooting.

BCB

 

[swampshooter]

My 6.5x284 isn't going to make 700 rounds.

 

[22BRGUY]

Might suggest taking a good look and comparison of the 6.5 SLR as seen on the 6mmar.com website. It seems to me to have the best features of several other good cartridges. JMHO

 

[ScottMcc]

I still wonder why the 6.5-284 has such short barrel life. Wouldn't a 260 rem improved be about the same? Would a 6.5-06 be better or worse for life?

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi LH,hi all

Of course LH,no prob,whenever I start shooting I will post here and let you know.My main problem at the moment,hoping it will have cured by the time the rifle is built,is getting 120gr Nosler BT,especially here in New Caledonia where they no longer import Nosler bullets....So I have to order them from France(we're a French territory in the South Pacific,close to NZ and Aussie),but my dealer there is out of stock for the moment due to the "armament crisis" in the US that you all have to cope with...But don't worry,stay tuned,I'll probably post in mid October,hopefully sooner,God only knows...None the less I'm quite surprised that the 7x57 case is so misregarded as a base for experimentation,it seems a better start than the 308 in my opinion if you're looking for speed and power because it's 1/4" longer from the start,before any improvement,and the brass can be gotten from 257Bob or 6mm Rem.I'll let you know anyway.Take care.