6.5x284 vs 300 wm??

[ID_Matt]

I read a pretty lengthy article lately comparing the 6.5x284 to a 300 WM. The article was basically a pitch for the 6.5. Noting that energy is comparable out to 1,000 yards and felt recoil was much lower on the 6.5. I am not sure I buy completely in to the truth of the article but I wanted some real world opinions. it has me thinking that a 6.5x284 might be a fun gun and could fill the gap between my 308 and 300 win. Any thoughts?? I am not sure if I can post the article on here but I will if that is allowed. A Christensen arms ridgeline in 6.5x284 just sounds like a hell of a rifle....

 

[HellsCanyon]

What bullet did the article quote for the 300 Win? I see often times people comparing the 300 with 180 grain class bullets instead of 215’s or 212’s. The 6.5-284 is a GREAT round and one I’m fond of and think it’d fill that gap nicely for you!

Mike


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fire_9]

For me it depends on what it's going to be used for. If it's just a gun for banging steel and shooting the occasional deer or antelope, I would say get the 6.5x284 or even something smaller. If it's going to be used for elk or more of hunting rifle in general step up to the .300 WM. Mike gave some good insight on the fact that most of the comparisons are done with lighter bullets.

 

[2five7]

I know Gunwerks used to advertise this same thing. This is the problem with using ft lbs of energy as a killing measure, lighter weight, higher velocity pills look better in paper vs heavier, slower slugs.

I use this comparison to make my point: A 22-250 worth a 55 great bullet has roughly the same muzzle energy as a 45/70 with a 405 great bullet. You have an angry grizzly bearing down on you, which do you choose?

That said, my personal long range rig is a 264 win, and I would have no problem shooting elk out to 800 with this gun.

 

[ID_Matt]

The article compares 140 vld's in the 6.5 vs 190 vld's out of the 300. I think things would change quite a bit if they used the 210's or 215's out of the 300.

 

[ID_Matt]

One thing to note for me as well is the 300 WM I currently have is a Sako A7 and with the SAAMI mags I am really limited to 190 or smaller bullets that work with my mag better. So the article might be more relevant to me than someone that has a faster twist 300 and isn't restricted to mag length.

 

[gumbl3]

That article I read, if it's the same one, assumed pushing a 140gr VLD at nearly 3050 fps out of a 6.5x284 .. With Lapua brass I didn't have a problem getting that kind of velocity out of it (the HSM stuff I got the brass from was pretty hot) but I had to back it down pretty far to have good accuracy which changes some of their assumptions as far as comparing 1000 yd performance. Taking the recoil aspect out of the article, the 6.5 300 weatherby velocity should blow the 300 away by the analytics they used.

The 300 was using a 190gr VLD at 2950. Haven't toyed with the 300 (yet), but I would bet you could get close to that velocity with the 210 and not too far off with the 215 but my guess is that's getting pretty close to max.

I think the article is comparing apples to oranges to sell a specific product. Both are great rifles.

 

[wind gypsy]

Sounds like a very hot 6.5 load vs a mild 300 load with less than ideal bullet.

 

[HellsCanyon]

FYI I found a sub 10 fps ES load with 215 Berger’s in the last 300 Win I built, that averaged 2990 fps with RWS brass and RL26 with a 26” tube. that’s prior to barrel break in, expect another 30-50fps after 150 rounds.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Snowy]

Pick a bullet you want to deliver. Pick a speed you want it to exit the barrel at for your needs. Pick the lowest recoil cartridge that achieves that. To me that eliminates a lot of unnecessary mental gymnastics, in my opinion anyway. There's no perfect chambering.

 

[FURMAN]

The 300 will bail you out of a lot of situations on elk long range. I love 6.5s but they just can’t compete with a big 300 with 215s. The A7 and Tikkas pretty much neuter the 300.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[ID_Matt]

The 300 will bail you out of a lot of situations on elk long range. I love 6.5s but they just can’t compete with a big 300 with 215s. The A7 and Tikkas pretty much neuter the 300.

I think this is really my problem. The Sako 300 I have is really squeezing me on potential.

 

[gumbl3]

FYI I found a sub 10 fps ES load with 215 Berger’s in the last 300 Win I built, that averaged 2990 fps with RWS brass and RL26 with a 26” tube. that’s prior to barrel break in, expect another 30-50fps after 150 rounds.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm gonna try H1000 and Norma brass to start when I get that baby in my hands. Hoping for good results!

 

[HellsCanyon]

I'm gonna try H1000 and Norma brass to start when I get that baby in my hands. Hoping for good results!

You’ll get great results but I don’t think you’ll see the speed with H1000 as 26. But you’ll have very consistent fps and good Barrel life!

Mike


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TBossHSauce]

A 6.5 chambered in any configuration is a great bullet. I always contend it depends on your arsenal and what you want to do with it. If you are looking for a dedicated rifle then know your quarry. A 6.5x284 is a superb cartridge and very capable. If your arsenal is large and you're one of those that wants everything chambered in .22 short to 700 nitro then go for it. If you want something to use the world over I always opt for the .300 win mag. I have been in some of the dark places and I guarantee I can find win mag. Good luck finding 6.5x284 in Port Elizabeth, SA or in Old Harbor, AK but chances are someone has some .300 win lying around.