First off, I am a 6.5-284 slut. I have used it competitively in 1000 BR and for most of my longer range shooting for the past 20 years or so. I have used R17 almost exclusively in my last two barrels. Barrel 1 on this rifle lasted only 500ish rounds before toast. I shot 130 Norma Diamonds almost to exclusion of other bullets. 50 grains of R17 would push them 3200 fps. I shot a lot of 1 1/2-2" 500 yard groups with that bullet. Not very reliable on game I found out.
I got 800-900 rounds out of my BR rifles and I used mostly VV N160. I suspect that I could have gone over 1000 with 4831 or 4350- who knows.
R17 is VERY hard on barrels.
Just chambered up a 6x47L and I will avoid R17 in this rifle. The 6x47L lets me seat bullets however I want with a short magazine.
The 6.5-284 lets me seat bullets however I want with a long magazine. It is inherently accurate and easy to find loads for. A 6.5-06 is as fast but in my experience, a little tougher to find great loads.
the 243 is the worst barrel burner of all- even with single based powders.
30 degree shoulders seem to optimize accuracy. The 6PPC guys pretty much solved that riddle. Why mess with success?
I have a 260AI that I love. It is very accurate and easy to load for and nips on the heels of the 6.5-284 BUT you have to fire-form and it has that 40 degree shoulder.m Next one I do is with a 30 degree shoulder.
