6mm-284 lets hear it!

[cal30_sniper]

Jumping on this old thread to see if any perspectives or builds have been completed. I have a 6.5 WSM being built right now based on Tikka 6.5 PRC donor rifle. Yes, the 6.5 PRC is already a very capable cartridge, but I want 3,000+ MV out of a 18-20" barrel, and the 6.5 WSM has the case capacity to get there more easily than the PRC. Plus I just like to do things a little different. Factory cartridges are boring. LOL!!!

While researching this build, I've realized (finally) that there is nothing that my .25-284 can do that the 6.5 WSM won't do better. Bullet selection and variety are far superior as is velocity. Thus load options run the gammit of light and fast to heavy and still pretty fast with the WSM. If there were more bullets available between 110 and 130 for the .25s I'd have more hesitation.

After the 6.5 WSM build is complete (and assuming I find a load it shoots well), I will be removing my 25-284 barrel and starting a 6-284 build. I have 105 pieces of Lapua brass that have already been necked down to 25-284 and 6-284 dies are only $100. I plan to anneal and neck down my existing brass. At which point, my 25-284 barrel, Redding dies, and 134 ELDMs will be for sale.

I'm not a guy that keeps a ton of rifles around unless they're being used and I'll use the proceeds from the .25 barrel and components to support the 6-284 build.

Get 3 birds stoned at once and build a 25 Pronghorn (25-300 WSM). Dies available from Redding.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Get 3 birds stoned at once and build a 25 Pronghorn (25-300 WSM). Dies available from Redding.

Cool cartridge for sure, and although slightly better BC, it won't outrun the 6.5WSM with 130 class bullets (ELDM and TMK). The 6.5 also has 140s, 143, 147, and even 156 if you want to shoot super heavies.

 

[cal30_sniper]

Cool cartridge for sure, and although slightly better BC, it won't outrun the 6.5WSM with 130 class bullets (ELDM and TMK). The 6.5 also has 140s, 143, 147, and even 156 if you want to shoot super heavies.

More recoil and slower velocity with any of the 140+gr .264 bullets that will match the 134gr ELDM ballistics.

The 130 ELDM starts faster than the 134, but is quickly overtaken due to the significantly lower BC. The 130TMK is even worse.

No grass growing under the 6.5WSM feet for sure, but seems a shame to overlook the 25 since you have the bullets already

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

More recoil and slower velocity with any of the 140+gr .264 bullets that will match the 134gr ELDM ballistics.

The 130 ELDM starts faster than the 134, but is quickly overtaken due to the significantly lower BC. The 130TMK is even worse.

No grass growing under the 6.5WSM feet for sure, but seems a shame to overlook the 25 since you have the bullets already

The .257 134 ELDM has a .645 G1.

The .264 140 ELDM has a .646 G1.

The powder/recoil penalty for similar MV is marginal between these two and likely splitting hairs. 134 availability can also be hit or miss sometimes as well.

I'm not hating on the .25s, and my 25-284 is a sweet shooting rifle. The 25 creed, -06, -06AI, .257 WBY, etc..., are all great cartridges. However, the 6.5 is more versatile simply given the much larger catalog of quality heavy for caliber bullets, especially from 120-147gr.

From Hornady alone you have the 120 ELDM, 123 ELDM, 130 ELDM, 140 ELDM, 143 ELDX, and 147 ELDM. Berger, Sierra, and Nosler have several other good bullet options in this range as well.

Unfortunately, in this range today in .257 you have 5 choices-120 Grand Slam, 131 Sierra MK, 133 Berger, 134 ELDM, and 135 Berger.

 

[cal30_sniper]

The .257 134 ELDM has a .645 G1.

The .264 140 ELDM has a .646 G1.

The powder/recoil penalty for similar MV is marginal between these two and likely splitting hairs. 134 availability can also be hit or miss sometimes as well.

I'm not hating on the .25s, and my 25-284 is a sweet shooting rifle. The 25 creed, -06, -06AI, .257 WBY, etc..., are all great cartridges. However, the 6.5 is more versatile simply given the much larger catalog of quality heavy for caliber bullets, especially from 120-147gr.

From Hornady alone you have the 120 ELDM, 123 ELDM, 130 ELDM, 140 ELDM, 143 ELDX, and 147 ELDM. Berger, Sierra, and Nosler have several other good bullet options in this range as well.

Unfortunately, in this range today in .257 you have 5 choices-120 Grand Slam, 131 Sierra MK, 133 Berger, 134 ELDM, and 135 Berger.

We seem to be ignoring the .257 138gr A-tip at .695 G1. You’ve got to go to 147gr or 153gr to beat that in a .264, and even then just barely. Right now, .257 is the king of BCs vs weight, which is where you’re going to find long range performance when case size is fixed.

I guess I don’t place a huge amount of stock in versatility as a criteria. It’s like saying 7 Rem Mag is more versatile than 7 PRC because there are more factory loads available for it. How many loads/bullets does a guy need to be effective? 1 or 2?

I’d also point towards the resurgence in quarter bore stuff recently. Starting with the blackjack bullets and culminating in standardization of 25 Creedmoor this year, we’re seeing a large percentage growth in offerings for that caliber. I’d find it hard to believe that trend won’t continue at least for a while.

Now, if we could just get a 125ish grain ELDM in 6mm, we could put both of these heavier caliber options to bed as inferior choices. Until then, hopefully 115DTACs stay available.

 

[B23]

Now, if we could just get a 125ish grain ELDM in 6mm, we could put both of these heavier caliber options to bed as inferior choices.

Heck, even a 120gr ELD-M 6mm would probably make a lot folks happy.

But, at what point do they get so long and require such a fast twist that the velocities some of these hot rod 6's are capable of blow em up before the reach the target....

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

After looking around online at the usual vendors and Ammoseek, 6.5-284 brass is no longer readily available. This time last year I had no trouble finding it from multiple places and was able to shop around for the best deal (thank you Gunwerks).

Based on this, I think @Brandon.miller.4 is on to something with a 6 PRC instead. Hell, maybe a 6 WSM since I'll already have the brass. Maybe there's some dies out there somewhere...