6.5x284 or 6.5 Creedmoor

[Kurt505]

Getting a new rifle made in 6.5, got it narrowed down to either the 6.5x284 Norma or the 6.5 Creedmoor. I was leaning towards the 6.5x284 but have heard they're barrel burners. I do plan on doing a bit of plinking with this one, around 200-300 a year for sure.

Anyone with real life expirience with these rounds they care to share?

[Bergerboy]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

Getting a new rifle made in 6.5, got it narrowed down to either the 6.5x284 Norma or the 6.5 Creedmoor. I was leaning towards the 6.5x284 but have heard they're barrel burners. I do plan on doing a bit of plinking with this one, around 200-300 a year for sure.

Anyone with real life expirience with these rounds they care to share?

6.5x284
Barrels burn at th 3000-5000 round count. A new barrel from K&S is $450. A mere fraction of what the ammo costs to burn it. They are making them every day. I can send you a pic of one with 700 rds through it.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

Getting a new rifle made in 6.5, got it narrowed down to either the 6.5x284 Norma or the 6.5 Creedmoor. I was leaning towards the 6.5x284 but have heard they're barrel burners. I do plan on doing a bit of plinking with this one, around 200-300 a year for sure.

Anyone with real life expirience with these rounds they care to share?

My son shoots a 6.5x284, that rifle still shoots very well with its Ron Smith gain twist barrel .
The thing about overbore cartridges like the 6.5x284 is their reputation as barrel burners but the fact is that if you push a cartridge at the top end of its velocity threshold it is going to wear faster than if you back it off a bit .
It all depends on your idea of accuracy .
A whistled out 6.5 rifle that had a quality barrel on it will still kill a deer cleanly past 500 yards - I know because I've done it
Cat

[Kurt505]

I'm glad to hear that, I like the extra jamb the 284 offers.

[elkhunter11]

I would go 6.5x284 myself, followed by 6.5x55.

[Smokinyotes]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I would go 6.5x284 myself, followed by 6.5x55.

X2. The nice thing is Lapua brass is available for both as well.

[Kurt505]

The only problem I'm seeing with the 6.5x284 is the magazine length is limited to 3", this might rule out the 6.5x284


Maybe a 260ai

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

The only problem I'm seeing with the 6.5x284 is the magazine length is limited to 3", this might rule out the 6.5x284


Maybe a 260ai

Oh dang I forgot that not everybody is a single shot looney like me!!
Cat

[dogslayer403]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

The only problem I'm seeing with the 6.5x284 is the magazine length is limited to 3", this might rule out the 6.5x284


Maybe a 260ai

Unless you go long action you wont get the full benifits of the 284 case if you want a short action go creedmoore but my vote is the 6.5x284 on a LA
This is of course assuming you want to use 140-160g range bullets

[Kurt505]

This rifle will be for paper, yotes, and still hunting deer, maybe a close quarters elk. I'm going to have another Nula built and seeing how I've already had one built in a long action model 24, I want to try one in a model 20. Another option that has crossed my mind was the "classic" Nula in 284win but it's pretty much a 280ai which is what my model 24 is. For this build I'm thinking a 6.5 cal in an ultra light will be sweet.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

This rifle will be for paper, yotes, and still hunting deer, maybe a close quarters elk. I'm going to have another Nula built and seeing how I've already had one built in a long action model 24, I want to try one in a model 20. Another option that has crossed my mind was the "classic" Nula in 284win but it's pretty much a 280ai which is what my model 24 is. For this build I'm thinking a 6.5 cal in an ultra light will be sweet.

If magazine length is an issue, I would go 260rem.

[BigRedJeep]

I vote for 260 or the AI version since you want to maintain a short action rifle


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[bubba300]

I got 1400 to 1500 rounds threw my 6.5 - 06(I was getting around 2650fps with 140 gr Bergers,so no where near max loads) and it is now done.It has the same case capacity as the 284.Took me about 2 years to wear it out.
I guess if you only shoot 300 rounds a year you should get about 4 or 5 years out of it which isn't bad.
I am now shooting a 6.5 Creedmoor with 139 gr lapuas at around 2600 fps so will see how long the barrel lasts in it,hopefully I can get double.
If your going to use the rifle for hunting I would go with the 284 just for the greater energy.
Just my 2 cents worth.

[TUFFBUFF]

If I didn't have a small handful of 260's I would try a creedmoor for fun, either one of those if you want a nula ultralight would be nice and go well with your other one.
I build a 6.5mag for a stingier cartridge in a SA and really like it. another one to look at is a GAP 6.5 4s, it's apparently magic with 140's/H1000 @ 3000fps.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by bubba300

I got 1400 to 1500 rounds threw my 6.5 - 06(I was getting around 2650fps with 140 gr Bergers,so no where near max loads) and it is now done.It has the same case capacity as the 284.Took me about 2 years to wear it out.

How badly was it worn out as far as group size goes if you don't mind me asking?
Cat

[bubba300]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

How badly was it worn out as far as group size goes if you don't mind me asking?
Cat

It is a RKS gain Twist and was still doing not bad groups(1/2 to 3/4) but I was getting pressure signs and case webs were starting to ring(no it wasn't a head space problem,thats what I thought at first).I took it back to Ron and he figured it was done.I had hoped to just rechamber it and cut it back but he figured it had to do with the rifling and it was showing some throat erosion also.
Thought about lapping it but figure I got my monies worth out of it.

[TUFFBUFF]

Sounds like there's a new kid on the block --- Google Hornady 6.5 PRC and you will have your answer.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by bubba300

It is a RKS gain Twist and was still doing not bad groups(1/2 to 3/4) but I was getting pressure signs and case webs were starting to ring(no it wasn't a head space problem,thats what I thought at first).I took it back to Ron and he figured it was done.I had hoped to just rechamber it and cut it back but he figured it had to do with the rifling and it was showing some throat erosion also.
Thought about lapping it but figure I got my monies worth out of it.

I was quite a bit luckier with my last one I had rechambered
Also a RKS gain twist in 6.5Badcat
.2,500 round count and still "hunting accurate" at 500 but no pressure signs out of the normal

Mick McPhee cut a whole 4" off the shank to hit rifling it was that far gone!!
If I wasn't so custom wildcat- hotrod crazy I would have kept it !
Cat

[Jordan Smith]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

The only problem I'm seeing with the 6.5x284 is the magazine length is limited to 3", this might rule out the 6.5x284


Maybe a 260ai

On a 3" mag I'd be heading towards a .260AI. If working with 2.85-2.90" I'd be thinking 6.5 Creed.

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by Jordan Smith

On a 3" mag I'd be heading towards a .260AI. If working with 2.85-2.90" I'd be thinking 6.5 Creed.

That's what I'm thinking. I know the AI is only going to offer minimal gains, but it does offer a slight edge, and since I hand load it won't matter as far as ammo availability goes. I'll have to try out some cream of wheat, I've read about it but haven't had a chance to try it.

[Beeman3]

Really depends how far you want to stretch it out. 260AI would be my go to if you want speed. Seen some crazy with guys running R26. If just going standard and not AI I would go 6.5X47. Only draw back to the 260AI is fire forming. Which really is no big deal and these loads can be very accurate as well. Comes down to personal preference in the end. Could always really step it up and go with a 6.5 SHERMAN SS. Wicked little short action round. Lots of info on Long Range hunting Forum.

[AB2506]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

That's what I'm thinking. I know the AI is only going to offer minimal gains, but it does offer a slight edge, and since I hand load it won't matter as far as ammo availability goes. I'll have to try out some cream of wheat, I've read about it but haven't had a chance to try it.

Just fire some factory 260 in the chamber. No need to use cream of wheat. Unless you are using brand new unfired cases, then you could possibly use the cream of wheat. But why when a 260 load will do the trick and help break in the barrel.

[Deer Hunter]

There is negligible difference in performance between a 260 and a 260 ai. Don't waste your time and money on a 260 ai.

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by Deer Hunter

There is negligible difference in performance between a 260 and a 260 ai. Don't waste your time and money on a 260 ai.

The only difference in cost is going to be possibly the brass, but having it built in 260rem or 260ai costs the same. As far as wasting time on it, I enjoy fiddling around with that sort of thing.

When I'm having a custom built I like having it made in something you can't just walk into any store and buy off the shelf. Being that I reload, once I have my brass it's all the same.

[7 REM MAG]

i had the same thoughts going into building a 270ai, wish i would have gone a different route. I'm now having that rifle rebarreled to 270 weatherby

[amosfella]

Can you make a singleshot break action with a recessed rim?? I kinda don't see how that would be possible reasonably....

[it$_unreel]

If high velocity in a short action is important to you....you may want to consider either the 6.5 SAUM or the 6.5 WSM wildcats

They will spit out a 129 gr bullet at close to 3400 from a 26 in. pipe.

If factory available loadings are important...go with the .260 rem or the Creedmoor

[Deer Hunter]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

The only difference in cost is going to be possibly the brass, but having it built in 260rem or 260ai costs the same. As far as wasting time on it, I enjoy fiddling around with that sort of thing.
.

I agree that you need to be happy with whatever route you choose. But i'll share my 260 rem experience.

Two Remington SA 700's.




Stainless custom barrel 260AI in a Wildcat stock. Likely a 2500$ build. Shoots 0.5", feeds ok, weighs just under 7 lbs

Sps 260 rem 8 twist barrel they have on sale at Bashaw Sports for 679$
Used Mcmillan stock I bought off here for 500$. Bedded, trigger messed with.
Weighs just over 7 Lbs. Better balanced.
Shoots great, same speed as the AI.
Essentially zero load development.



Its not tactical, or ultra-light or ultra-custom but its the best 679$ I could have spent getting a 6.5mm bullet over 3000 fps.

[Kurt505]

I'm not looking for a speed demon, I just want a nice little rifle to pack around and plink with, something the wife and kids can shoot.

I took my 280ai out this weekend to sight in the new scope and test out some 140gr Accubonds with some one 4831.

Here is 9 shots, the three top right and one bottom left are factory Nosler 140gr Accubonds, the 5 other shots are 58.5gr of one 4831 topped with 140gr Accubonds.



This 6lb 5oz rifle is one of the most accurate rifles I've owned, I can only imagine the 260 will do the same, and weigh almost 1/2lb less!

[sns2]

Late for work.

If it's for deer, wife, and kids go with 260 or the Creedmoor. Brass prep is no fun, so forget the AI.

My friend, you know nothing lives with holes in the lungs