6.5x284 Hunting rifle?

[rmarshall]

Who uses a 6.5x284 for a hunting rifle? I keep kicking it around. I would mostly use 130 AB bullets as I have a bunch of them. Tell me what you like and or don't like about the caliber?

 

[TxLite]

I feel like you can pretty much just go off any 6.5 prc review with that bullet or similar. They are very similar from a ballistics standpoint.

It should work great.

 

[texag10]

I have one. Tikka t3x that started life as a 6.5 Creedmoor, used a carbonsix 6.5-284 barrel, 24", 1-7.5 twist. Shoots 156gr Bergers at 2840ish fps. I've only shot a pronghorn with it, pretty devastating at ~460 yds.

Easy to load for, not enough recoil to hurt your shoulder after a 40-50 rd range session, but it is enough that spotting shots from field positions can be a problem. I got back and forth between my next barrel being a 6mm something, or just stop chasing perfection for good enough, shooting a crap ton of .223 for training, and staying with the 6.5-284, just with a shorter, stainless steel barrel next time.

 

[Paulcobb]

I’ve got a custom build 6.5x284 with a carbon 6 barrel 1-8 twist. I’ve been really happy with it. I’ve loaded berger 140’s 156’s and 143eldx’s. and all of them shot great. I’m currently shooting the 156’s at 2950 fps using h-1000. I’ve shot a couple elk with it with very good results. However, I usually use the Rum for elk and reserve the 6.5x284 for deer sized critters but it’s a very capable cartridge. I have about 600 rounds down the tube and the throat still looks decent shooting sub 1/2 moa but I suspect it’ll probably need to be re-barreled in the next 2-300 rounds.

 

[rmarshall]

Great info guys! I appreciate it, it would most likely be a deer and under gun as I have a 280 AI and 160 ABs for my elk hunting. Just looking for something a little different.

 

[35WhelenAI]

The caliber or the cartridge? Two different things. Why wouldn't it be a good option, what gives you pause to ask the question?

 

[Dennis]

I have a Cooper Backcountry 6.5x284 with 140 grain Berger VLD’s for deer, antelope and sheep. Very accurate and lightweight. Good luck.

 

[Brucebarker024]

We built my dad a tikka 6.5x284 on a tikka last year. He hasn’t had the chance to shoot anything with it yet but he’s pushing a 156 at 3000.

 

[oklahunter]

I love my 6.5x284. I shoot Berger 135gr at 2925fps. Lethal on mule deer and whitetails.

 

[Terrapin]

One of my favorite cartridges. Almost identical velocity as a 6.5 PRC on a standard (308) bolt face.


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[TaperPin]

It is different - been around long enough to be vintage, but it does anything the more modern 6.5’s do. People either love or hate the 284 and anything based on it - it was way before it’s time. The 6.5-284 has done so well as a hunting or pure target round, there are all sorts of reloading dies and cases floating around.

I picked up a take off Bartlien barrel in this cartridge, that spent it’s life in a 1000 yard target rifle - it’s 75% shot out, but it will be fun to eventually gather the dies and brass and finish the barrel off. I don’t see it replacing my 6.5 PRC or Creed, but it’s something different.

 

[wildcat33]

I run one. I like it a lot, but these days you can do the same thing easier with 6.5 PRC. If building from scratch I would go 6.5PRC. the norma has a place if you want to build off a tikka with std bolt face or std long action rem.

 

[Flyjunky]

I had one built last year and it shoots awesome. 156’s being pushed by N565 has been a great combo. I still shoot my 300 for elk but I’d have no hesitation to use it on elk if I wanted.

 

[rmarshall]

great info everyone, I appreciate the input

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Not a 6.5-284, but I have a .25-284 build in progress with UM. Waiting on the reamer now, and when complete I'll be testing Berger 133/135 and Hornady 134. Should be able to get 3,000 MV out of 22" barrel.
I'm using Lapua 6.5-284 brass necked down with Redding 25-284 dies.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

great cartridge, but the case capacity is basically duplicated by the 6.5 prc. 30 secs on google will give you a good idea on which one has better ammo and brass availability.

 

[rmarshall]

I’m sure the 6.5 prc is more available but I don’t want to go quite that fat on the case and besides I have a standard bolt face.

 

[BDWMT]

Hands down my favorite hunting round. 140 Berger’s are all I’ve ever shot and have never let me down. Several elk, several deer and several more antelope one shot and flop with the farthest at 908 yards so far. Easy to tune a load and will do anything and more than most trendy new 6.5s will do.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I’m sure the 6.5 prc is more available but I don’t want to go quite that fat on the case and besides I have a standard bolt face.

This is one of the key reasons I went with the 25-284, didn't require magnum bolt face and was compatible with the LA mags I already had for the .25-06. I already had a LA bolt stop, but this is a $50 super easy change if you have a SA stop. With the LA stop and LA mags, you can seat the heavies way out there...

 

[TaperPin]

This is one of the key reasons I went with the 25-284, didn't require magnum bolt face and was compatible with the LA mags I already had for the .25-06. I already had a LA bolt stop, but this is a $50 super easy change if you have a SA stop. With the LA stop and LA mags, you can seat the heavies way out there...

What a neat cartridge.