Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 6.5x284 - Easy to load for?

While no longer the 6.5 bell of the ball (Creedmoor it seems), I've got my eye on a 6.5x284. I've not loaded for this round, and wanted to hear from those who have. Easy to reload for? Easy to find great, accurate loads? Looking forward to the feedback.

I don't think this has been updated in a while, but you may find it useful:

http://www.6mmbr.com/SixFive284.html

I just acquired a 6.5-284 myself, in the form of a Ruger No.1.

All I've put through it thus far is a work-up with Ramshot Hunter, and about 5 rounds of a single charge of Ramshot Magnum. Both under 140-grain Nosler Custom Comps. Both of those were shooting to essentially the same POI, and both powders shot pretty well.

I also had a work-up series with AA-4350, but the POI was SO far off it was completely off-target even at 50 yards, so I ended the firing sequence.

I believe I may DBC the barrel, since I hear this chambering is super-tough on barrels. It cleaned up VERY quickly after what little I've fired it, though.

I have a pre-64, 26" Krieger hunting rifle. It does really well with 140 VLD's. I started off with Vv 165 because some top target shooters were using it.

I used the Berger protocol to find COAL nodes, actually found two. Talked to the Berger people. They said they'd seen the same thing. I used the longer COAL to preserve case capacity.

I also found accuracy nodes with Vv 165 at around 2,900-2,950 fps. I later started using RL-17 and was able to get a solid 3K fps with great accuracy. I even went to 3,100, but accuracy dropped.

I found RL-17 to be faster, and less accuracy node sensitive. RL-17 shot more consistently accurate groups thru a range of powder charges, whereas 165 was slightly more accurate at a specific accuracy node.

6.5-284 is an easy round to load for. I also have a 6.5 CM, but am just starting to work with it.

DF

I found RS Magnum to be the best for my use with 140's.

What bullet(s) do you plan to use? Hunting or target?

Great question OSU - This will be hunting whitetails. No target time outside of the usual load testing, sighting in, and hunting distance plinking.

Unless the range was going to be really long I'd use the 6.5CM.

I'd be interested to hear why.

No, my shots won't be at long range.

Shots 150-400 will be routine. I was interested in the 6.5 family for high BC, lots of great bullet choices, mild recoil.

The Creedmore has great ballistics with less powder comsumption, less recoil, longer barrel life, and fits a short action even with VLD type bullets.

Then all this B.C. stuff won't do you any good.



True

DF

Good input. Thanks.

The caliber debate is endless, I imagine. And considering its going to be exclusively a whitetail gun, I could probably get by with a 270 or 308. But I own each of those calibers, and thought - lets have a little fun and try the 6.5s. Heck, maybe even the powder burning 26 Nosler.

my brother and I each have a couple 6.5-284s. they are great to reload for . our rifles include a cooper and Remington 700 LA with Krieger barrels. there is a long thread on long range hunting about load for the 6.5-284 savage.

Have one of those, too.

And, it does burn a heap more powder than the 6.5-284 or 6.5 CM.

It is a screaming machine, makes a LOT of noise...

DF

Took 3 antelope, a mule deer and an elk with my 6.5x284 this year and the 140 AMAX.

No harder to load for than anything else. Mine's a Rem 700 with a 26" Lilja and Leupy 6x42 w/dots.

No complaints.

The 6.5x284 is one of my favorite cartridges. My load is 50gr H4831SC paired with a 140gr Nosler Accubond. Recoil is hardly noticeable, and accuracy is superb. I've killed a lot of game with this combination, never a tracking job. It's easy to load for if you aren't necking down 284 brass.

Also, a long action is a critical part of taking advantage of the long 6.5mm bullets.

Nice looking rifle.

What's the story on that one?

DF

Agree - nice looking rifle.

Thanks for all the input. Been eyeing some wood stocked Cooper Customs, and thought the 6.5x284 would make a sweet round for a heavy Cooper wood and blue. Of course they also offer the 6.5 Creed, the 26 Nosler, the 264 Win Mag... choices choices.

As a reloader, I'm open to any of the 4 options. While not recoil sensitive, the desire to make a gun "sit" on the shot and still be behind the glass after recoil is leaning me to the 6.5x284 or Creed.

Surprisingly this is the Nosler Patriot. It's a very fine handling rifle, and shoots as good or better than most customs. No complaints whatsoever.

I own rifles in 260,6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x55,6.5-06,264WM and 6.5x284. The 6.5x284 gets used more than any of the others. They all shoot wonderfully, however there is something special about the 6.5x284.

0Outdoor,

If you like the Barnes 127 LRX 50 grains of H4350 does well @ .050" back with a Federal 210. If you like a little more speed use 50 grains of RE17. The H4350 shoots 1/4 MOA in my ULA. The RE17 opens up to a little over 1/2 MOA.
H4350 .....2950fps
RE17.......3025fps

Dave