6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

[Seth8541]

Curious to see the results. This will be a hunting rig. As of right now its going to be a 6.5 Creedmore, 22" Obermeyer 1 in 8.4.

Started thinking about either of the above stated rounds as well. Both are barely smokers I know, but does 1 have an edge on the other balliatically?

I have heard that the 6.5 wm can be finicky to load for. Any experience with these calibers? Any info would be great. Thanks in advance.

Seth

 

[Seth8541]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

Any ideas?

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

I would go with the 6.5-284. Use Lapua brass or buy Winchester 284 brass when it is available and neck down.
As for the 6.5 WM you refer to, do you mean a 6.5 on the winchester Mag brass or the WSM brass?

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

BTW, if you want it on the WM brass, just go 264 Win Mag.

 

[Seth8541]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

I would go with the 6.5-284. Use Lapua brass or buy Winchester 284 brass when it is available and neck down.
As for the 6.5 WM you refer to, do you mean a 6.5 on the winchester Mag brass or the WSM brass?

Sorry had to edit.

264 win mag brass

 

[gyr]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

6,5-284 will shoot 140 gr. bullets to 2950-3000 ft/s on a 24 or 26 " .


What kind of hunting are you talking about?

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

I think 6.5-284 is still my pick.
I've owned a couple and it is a fairly easy round to load for.

 

[gyr]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

And 6,5-284 is not finicky to load for. Pretty accurate in a well built rifle.

 

[762frmafr]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

6.5 wsm FTW...142 SMK's at 3300fps no problem.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

No magical wiz-bang cartridge is going to be much of a game changer. Your maximum range between the 6.5 CM, .260, 6.5-284, or even a 6.5-300 Win Mag is going to be pretty much moot. I've been down those paths before. What I do anymore is go with cartridges that afford the best factory brass, the best brass life, and the cheapest to shoot. Logistics matter. I've made the switch from 6.5-284 for 6.5x47L and a .260 Rem and cannot be happier.

As attractive as some of faster 6.5s sound, many times the bullets don't like to go much faster. The 6.5-284 I had shot best with 140s in the 2950 range. Faster would open groups up. I've heard lots of guys with bigger magnums not shooting 140/142s much faster than 3,000 fps.

 

[Seth8541]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gyr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6,5-284 will shoot 140 gr. bullets to 2950-3000 ft/s on a 24 or 26 " .


What kind of hunting are you talking about? </div></div>

Everything up to and including elk. I figure I can load the smaller 120 class rounds for the smaller game and the larger 140 class for larger game (elk). I've seen a few elk taken with the 6.5 class rounds and originally chose a 6.5x47 as my tactical rifle, and the 6.5 Creedmore as my hunting rig sue the the avalability of factory ammo.

Then began to wonder if I should up the Creedmore to the 6.5 wm or 6.5 x284 for the higher velocity and better terminal ballistics. Haven't built the Creedmore yet, so I still have a small amount of time to make a decision.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Seth8541</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gyr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6,5-284 will shoot 140 gr. bullets to 2950-3000 ft/s on a 24 or 26 " .


What kind of hunting are you talking about? </div></div>

Everything up to and including elk. I figure I can load the smaller 120 class rounds for the smaller game and the larger 140 class for larger game (elk). I've seen a few elk taken with the 6.5 class rounds and originally chose a 6.5x47 as my tactical rifle, and the 6.5 Creedmore as my hunting rig sue the the avalability of factory ammo.

Then began to wonder if I should up the Creedmore to the 6.5 wm or 6.5 x284 for the higher velocity and better terminal ballistics. Haven't built the Creedmore yet, so I still have a small amount of time to make a decision.
</div></div>

If you're running a 6.5x47 already, I'd build another to hunt with. It will save you headache in the end. You can stick with a short-action .473" bolt, can use AI mags, etc. An animal hit with a 130 at 2950 won't be able to tell it wasn't a 140 at 3000.

 

[Seth8541]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6.5 wsm FTW...142 SMK's at 3300fps no problem. </div></div>

I like the sounds of that!!!
That's smoking fast. What's the barrel life? Probably real close to the 6.5 wm at 600 rds.

 

[Seth8541]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Seth8541</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gyr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6,5-284 will shoot 140 gr. bullets to 2950-3000 ft/s on a 24 or 26 " .


What kind of hunting are you talking about? </div></div>

Everything up to and including elk. I figure I can load the smaller 120 class rounds for the smaller game and the larger 140 class for larger game (elk). I've seen a few elk taken with the 6.5 class rounds and originally chose a 6.5x47 as my tactical rifle, and the 6.5 Creedmore as my hunting rig sue the the avalability of factory ammo.

Then began to wonder if I should up the Creedmore to the 6.5 wm or 6.5 x284 for the higher velocity and better terminal ballistics. Haven't built the Creedmore yet, so I still have a small amount of time to make a decision.
</div></div>

If you're running a 6.5x47 already, I'd build another to hunt with. It will save you headache in the end. You can stick with a short-action .473" bolt, can use AI mags, etc. An animal hit with a 130 at 2950 won't be able to tell it wasn't a 140 at 3000. </div></div>

My original thought process. I went with an obermeyer m24 contour with a finished length of 22". It's off at, or on the way to get spiral Fluted at kampfelds. You see an issuewith the 22" barrel? I see the factory ammo 140 amaxs are getting around 2750 or so out of the 22" tubes.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

I wouldn't think you'd have too much problem with a 22". Shorter seems to be much handier. Only way I'd go longer would be purely target shooting.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

I absolutely HATED carrying my 7 contour 28" bbl. Heavy, heavy damn gun.

 

[Seth8541]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

I know my tac/target rifle has a 30' Kreiger heavy target contour bbl plus another 2" of brake. Things a beast!

 

[762frmafr]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Seth8541</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6.5 wsm FTW...142 SMK's at 3300fps no problem. </div></div>

I like the sounds of that!!!
That's smoking fast. What's the barrel life? Probably real close to the 6.5 wm at 600 rds. </div></div>

About 500 rounds at that speed. That is with the throat completely gone. But it still shoots the 142's under 1/2 minute. Still shooting it though...had to bump it up a full grain to maintain speed. Will continue to shoot it till it won't hold 1/2 minute.

 

[Seth8541]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Seth8541</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6.5 wsm FTW...142 SMK's at 3300fps no problem. </div></div>

I like the sounds of that!!!
That's smoking fast. What's the barrel life? Probably real close to the 6.5 wm at 600 rds. </div></div>

About 500 rounds at that speed. That is with the throat completely gone. But it still shoots the 142's under 1/2 minute. Still shooting it though...had to bump it up a full grain to maintain speed. Will continue to shoot it till it won't hold 1/2 minute.
</div></div>

That's moving pretty good. 1/2 MOA isn't anything to scoff at, specially with a shot out barrel. I'll have to see about that caliber one of these days, 500 rds isn't very many though. Have to have a good smith close to my house. Lol

 

[762frmafr]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

Yep...there's no setting it back either... We bore scoped it and about 4" of barrel from where the throat should be to the muzzle was completely firecracked...

 

[gyr]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

I would stick with the 140 grainers, you can use same weight or bullet for everything. Heavier bullets will usually have a better BC.

For hunting you are better off with a faster bullet, I would not go with a 6,5x 47. You do not have too many chances to make corrections if the animal leaves, you want to go with a 1st round hit and once you start shooting further bullet velocity and BC do make a difference.

6,5x55 is often overlooked, wont shoot as fast as a 6,5-284 though.

 

[fireguyty]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

A couple of things. You probably already know this, but just in case you or your smith don't, Obermeyer uses a tighter bore in 6.5 than any other barrel maker. You will need a different pilot and range rod.

As far as your choice on caliber goes, I was surprised to find that my 6.5 Creedmoor chronographed 2890 FPS yesterday with 139 scener. I figured I was gonna be mid 2700's. So maybe don't through the Creedmoor out the door yet.

Rifle: DTA
Barrel: 1-8 twist Benchmark 27" long
Load: 41.6 H4350, 139 Lapua Scener seated .002 from lands, Tula primer.

Another thing that surprised me was I shot the exact same load except with 140 BTHP Hornday right after, and only got 2810...........no F'ing idea why.

Any way you go, sounds like a great build. I'd love to see pics of that flute job.

 

[Seth8541]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

Sounds like ill.stick with the Creedmore. Mainly because of the availability of good.factory ammo. My main reason for the.Creedmore above the Lapua is because of that reason. If ever out on a hunting trip and forget my ammo, or shtf, I have a lot better chances of finding Creedmore at the local gun shop than I do finding the lapua. I know......don't forget the ammo, buy you just never know, plus its.also quite abit cheaper than the Lapua ($40 a box cheaper).

Yeah, on another note, I am looking forward to getting my build back in about 2 months. Greg @ bugholes is building it for me. Specs as follows;

6.5 Creedmore
Stiller Tac30 .308 BF, RB/RP
22" Obermeyer M24 1 in 8.4 twist, spiral Fluted
USMC Smear Return Stock
Timmney Trigger set a 1.5lbs
USMC M40A1 Spec Willams BM
NF 3.5-15x50
Barreled Action & Bolt finished in Cerakote OD

Looking forward to it.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

Re: 6.5 WM vs 6.5x284

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gyr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And 6,5-284 is not finicky to load for. Pretty accurate in a well built rifle. </div></div>

Indeed, I get better than 1 MOA out of my Ruger No. 1A with hand loads.

FH