It gets a lot of respect--from real rifle loonies.
It has been around for a while both as a wildcat and a factory round, but the average hunter/shooter doesn't see the "signficant" ballistic advantages the rifle loony sees over, say, a .270.
Plus, even the rifle loonies have never been able to decide whether it works best in a short (2.8") or long (3.4") magazine. In fact there is even a distinction between the two rounds. The short one is called the 6.5/.284 Winchester, the long one the 6.5/.284 Norma.
Plus, 6.5mm rounds have never sold very well in North America. Simple fact of life.
