Pros and Cons of 6.5 x 284 round for L. Range?

[tschiemer]

I have enroute shortly a 6.5 x 284 custom rifle built by X-Ring Accuracy. In the past, my only experience is with a .308 Win.

For those of you shooting the 6.5 x 284, what do you see as the pros and cons. At present, I continue to not reload due to space issues and will buy commercial ammunition. What are my pros and cons with this round?

I will use it for target shooting primarily from as close as 100 yards to occasionally competitions at 1000 yards. I will also use it to hunt deer at ranges of 100 to 300 yards over fields.

As Pros, I see greater ballistic efficiency at distance. As cons, I see a higher cost of ammunition and a short barrel life. What is your experience if anyone would care to share it with a noob as to this particular cartridge? Thanks for any knowledge.

Robert

 

[Gray]

Re: Pros and Cons of 6.5 x 284 round for L. Range?

I have never owned a rifle in this caliber, but I have shot several. Worst Con would be barrel life as you have stated but barrels come and go so this is not horrible news but you will have to rebarrel probably somewhere between 900-1100 rounds. Another would be that fact that not many people make factory ammo for this caliber, and definetly no one makes hunting rounds, so reloading is almost a must with this cartridge. If the factory ammo does not shoot well in your rifle, then rolling your own ammo is the only way to go. Pros are the fact that the round is inherently accurate and has been a top benchrest caliber for years. You can setup a press and powder scale on a very small (but rigid) table that would take up very little space.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

Re: Pros and Cons of 6.5 x 284 round for L. Range?

You got the higher price part right...MidwayUSA, for example, sells match ammo for $59/box of 20, hunting ammo at $58/box. At those prices, I don't think you'll have a barrel life problem.

FH

 

[GreatGonzo]

Re: Pros and Cons of 6.5 x 284 round for L. Range?

WEll, it sounds like you're already committed to the rifle, so you really don't need the cons. The pros are that it runs great bullets at great speeds with great brass life and minimal tuning. The only cons are that barrel life will be relatively short (800-1100 rounds) and that it really should be built on a long action to get the benefits of the extra powder.

For amunition, I would call Chad Hayworth. His company is Custom Reloads of Dallas and he is a member here ChadTRG42, I think. He will work with you to build a load and then load ammo for you. It is a great solution if you don't have the time or the space to do it yourself.

 

[chrisj]

Re: Pros and Cons of 6.5 x 284 round for L. Range?

How much soace do you need to reload for one caliber? Clamp a single stage press to a counter or desk and you are GTG. BBl life SUCKS with a 6.5x284. If you shoot any rapid fire, then bbl life is brutal...Well under 1000 rounds. I have seen the bbls crap out @ 600-700 rounds. Actually saw a bbl done at 400 in one weekend of long range varminting.
Go with a smaller 6.5 caliber like a 6.5x47 or 260 . My 260's have been good for 2000-2500 rounds on a bbl.