I am wanting to build another rifle. Currently mostly shooting my 243 (first rifle) over several other larger rifles that I own (.338,300 etc). I’m am definitely aboard the smaller is better/nicer to shoot and become more proficient with. With that being said like others I enjoy having more rifles. I was tossing around the idea of building a 6.5-284 on a medium action so that if I ever wanted to go back down in cartridge I’d have a standard bolt face still for say 25 creed, 6 creed. The 6 creed intrigues me a ton but already having a 243 it’s so close the gains seem marginal. This would be a hunting rifle out to 400 yards roughly and I’d like to load 130 TMKs in it. I was curious if anyone has any thoughts, experience on recoil or positives/negatives of the 6.5-284 cartridge?
New rifle/caliber 6.5-284?
- Thread starter TURNER208
- Start date
Why go with 6.5x284 for hunting inside 400?
Why not 6.5 Creedmoor?
The additional recoil is enough to make it so the juice is not worth the squeeze, IMO. It is a fun cartridge. You get a bit more velocity and the 130s will be fast.
A 25 creed will shoot the 133/134 that are more efficient and velocity will be close enough.
The differences between the creed and x284 inside 400 yards is minimal. You can stick with the .243 for that. The 6 creed is improved over the .243 for standardized high BC bullets.
If you want a medium action and a new cartridge to play with, go for it. The 6.5 x 284 is a fun one.
Why not 6.5 Creedmoor?
The additional recoil is enough to make it so the juice is not worth the squeeze, IMO. It is a fun cartridge. You get a bit more velocity and the 130s will be fast.
A 25 creed will shoot the 133/134 that are more efficient and velocity will be close enough.
The differences between the creed and x284 inside 400 yards is minimal. You can stick with the .243 for that. The 6 creed is improved over the .243 for standardized high BC bullets.
If you want a medium action and a new cartridge to play with, go for it. The 6.5 x 284 is a fun one.
I love my 6.5x284… I don’t notice any difference in recoil between them and my 6.5 Creedmoor (but there is a substantial weight difference between the two so my perception is somewhat meaningless).
There is great brass available from Lapua & the 284 based cartridges are very popular with the long range target crowd (f-class) so there’s tons of data.
It’s substantially harder on barrels than the 6.5 CM, so if you foresee high volume shooting you may be happier with a creed.
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There is great brass available from Lapua & the 284 based cartridges are very popular with the long range target crowd (f-class) so there’s tons of data.
It’s substantially harder on barrels than the 6.5 CM, so if you foresee high volume shooting you may be happier with a creed.
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I’d like to think I’ll put a lot of rounds through it but then again barrels are replaceable. Glad to hear you enjoy yours, mostly just been eyeing it because it seems like a cool but different cartridge. Do you hunt with yours or just match shoot?
I think all your points are very valid, and I agree inside 400 I think my 243 is more than enough to do anything I need it to here in Idaho for elk/deer/moose. More was just wanting something slightly bigger but different. The 25 creed does seem like a cool round as well do you have one?
WeiserBucks
WKR
6.5x284 is a great cartridge, perfect excuse to get another rifle if your others are well sorted at this point. On the other hand, the money might be better spent on a scope upgrade if applicable.
S-3 ranch
WKR
Great cal , better than a cm , = to a prc , but not hampered by having to rely on Hornady ammunition
It’s mostly a hunting gun with a 26” heavy barrel and a 6-24 scope that’s seen better days. To be honest it doesn’t get hunted as much anymore… it’s a lot to lug around. My 6.5 CM is 3 pounds lighter and my 6mm arc is probably 5 pounds lighter (without using a scale or doing hard maths). Out to 400 yards both of those perform very adequately.
I still enjoy shooting it (and I’m building one for my business partner), but I’m really enjoying the smaller guns right now.
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WeiserBucks
WKR
It's pretty mild, 270 is a good comparison.
6.5-284 is a good choice and is something different. Lots of use versatility. I’m a fan and really like my semi custom 6.5-284. It’s a 1/2 MOA rifle all day every day.
Building one however, it’d probably be better suited on a long action if you are reloading because of all the long, high BC bullet choices. 100, 400, 600 yards or whatever, there’s a good load to suit your yardage needs & much more.
If you’re in N Idaho, you can shoot mine if you want. Its favorite load is 143 gr ELD-Xs at 3000 fps, so it’s got some snort… but not objectionable.
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WeiserBucks
WKR
Never had feeding issues with mine.
No feeding issues.
TaperPin
WKR
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I think it’s a great cartridge - just looking at it makes most people smile. One quirk with some rifles is the rebated rim can bind up being ejected so some bolt faces need a little attention with a file to relieve issues. My push feed Winchester 70 needed a little work. The other issue used to be short action internal magazines didn’t always feed the fat little cartridge well, but now magazines for fatties are everywhere. The factory Winchester internal double stack magazine for 243/308 was a no go.
Barrel life will be about like a 25-06, 270, or 6.5 PRC. Not really intended for high volume shooting, but if you don’t mind the cost/shot of barrel wear nothing wrong it either.
Barrel life will be about like a 25-06, 270, or 6.5 PRC. Not really intended for high volume shooting, but if you don’t mind the cost/shot of barrel wear nothing wrong it either.
I happen to be in orofino where I grew up for the holidays but will be headed up towards CDA in the coming days, where abouts are you?
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