Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters does the 6.5x284 eat barrels because

Had a 264 (can you say over-bore). When bbl got hot, I let it cool. We did not believe in much cleaning back then (1960's) but started cleaning regularly in 90's. Always got decent accuracy of an inch or so at 100 with handloaded ammo. Shot plenty enough for sighting-in and hunting including some ground squirrels. Heard all the "less than 1000 shots" stories but really didn't care. So, I can't imagine that 6.5-284 would be much different unless you shoot a lot or heat it up too much/often.

I’ve read it’s not overbore if you can find slow enough powder.

Even the 26 Nosler, with Vulcan cannon powders, may qualify as not being overbore.

That may take some selling.

DF

Pete, for the love of Heaven, do me a favor and just google "bunx barrel".

By way of comparison, Does the long neck of the .25'06, or .270Win lead to longer throat life ?
Does the shallow tapered shoulder of these cases detract ? ( 17.5 degrees vs 30 or 40 degrees )

IOW : What case design features lead to longer throat life in high capacity -- smaller bore cartridges

High pressure causes higher temperatures which don't help throat longevity. also, Quick firing of long strings without cooling.

I like to practice follow up shots from field positions. 1st for accuracy, with 2 or 3 follow up/finishers delivered dynamically.

I hear ya on the concept.... I'd like to hear from some of our TECHees on that. I'm interested.
I also hear that a longer barrel comes into play.

Jerry

This just in......


http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2018/02/a-slice-of-barrel-life-inside-look-at-barrel-erosion/

Hey there DF, I'll stick with overbore as I've come to know it regardless of any hairs being split...seems like damn near everything boils down to what the definition of is is...:-) Mac

338 - I feel certain by your post that you are aware that the 243 with its sloping shoulder angle AND short neck contributes to throat erosion.
*****I am NO expert by any stretch of the imagination. I've read about this over a long period of years.
You are correct too about rapid firing of long strings >> makes perfect sense.

I have always wondered about the hunting accuracy barrel life and I think there is less information on this because most rifles used for hunting are not shot out. The 6.5 Gap or 6.5 SAUM when used for target shooting can get a little longer barrel life by using the larger capacity case to push the bullets at 6.5x284 velocities at a lower pressure and not trying for the next faster accuracy node. My guess is the 6.5x284 would be similar to the 25-06 for barrel life getting slightly less possibly due to the longer neck on the 25-06. But then the shoulder angle on the 06 could undo this advantage.

I thought ole Bubba Clinton solve that one some time ago.

DF

+1

A few comments:

Yes, the case geometry of the 6.5/.284 contributes to throat erosion.

The majority of barrel erosion is caused by hot powder gas, and the effect naturally dissipates further from the case mouth--which anybody with a bore-scope will soon see. A longer neck protects more of the bore in front of the case.

Shoulder angle also has an effect: If it "funnels" the hot gas right around the mouth of the case (or a little in front), then the throat will erode quicker. This is exactly what the shoulder angle of the 6.5/.284 does. The shoulder/neck combination is even worse in the .243 Winchester.

Both of these effects have been demonstrated in considerable military research, undertaken because of a desire to make barrels last longer. They're also why a 6.5-06 barrel usually lasts longer than a 6.5/.284 barrel, and a 6.5-.270 should last a little longer yet--though the effect might be negated by what might be called the .270's "G-factor."

Another big factor is the powder itself. Double-based powders burn hotter, and very "progressive" double-based powders (which extend the burn further down the bore), tend to fry throats quicker. Which is part of the reason some very successful competitive shooters use single-based powders: They don't burn out throats as quickly, so an accurate barrel lasts longer.

Thnx M D

In a 284 Win ‘hunting’ rifle that’s not shot in rapid and prolonged sessions, should a hunter be concerned about short barrel life? I have a 284 W that will not be shot excessively so I don’t think I have anything to be concerned.


I have/had 1 Rem.M Six 270 W that I’ve shot and hunted a lot over several years. My Son has it now, but I noticed it’s accuracy is less than it was.
It still is more than accurate enuff for hunting and I ‘think’ throat erosion is the cause. I don’t know anyone with a bore scope so I’m not sure.

Jerry

RL-17 does well in my 6.5-284, prob not too kind to the throat.

Am thinking about using Vv n-570 in my 26 Nosler. That’s another hot one that has good performance, prob not throat friendly.

Oh well.

They make new barrels every day.

DF

Yes, very aware of the throat issues, in .243 and 7Mag : similar geometry with 20 and 25 degree shoulders and short neck length.
I've never had either long enough to worry about longevity. They were accurate enough to attract attention from range buddies ...

The 6.5-284 puzzles me because it has a fairly steep 35 degree shoulder, But maybe the neck is not quite long enough, combined with
the typical high operating pressures, and long strings of fire in competition. Probably not a real problem in a hunting rifle.

Thanks and that’s what I thot per a hunting rifle.
I would only build a rifle for 2 cartridges in the 6.5 family, 6.5X284 ->-> 6.5X06.

The larger 6.5 cases burn too much powder for my taste NOT being a L R target shooter.
I don’t understand why the 264 WM isn’t more popular today — except that it’s NOT new.

Thnx

Jerry

I think it was a combo of the lack of familiarity with 6.5, available bullets and powder of that era.

Maybe how Winchester rolled it out and marketed it.

DF

When the 264 win rolled out the gun writers of the day bashed as a barrel burn and never touted its true attributes.

I’m old enough to remember that.

The .264 WM was cutting edge and as in the business world, cutting edge can become “bleeding edge”.

DF

single base powders... Hodgdon data site shows IMR 4350 48.2 grains pushing a 130 accubond to 2935 fps in a 24" barrel... Nosler shows 50 grains achieving 3023 fps in a 24"barrel... pretty much what a 270 will do with 5 more grains of powder, and a whole lot more factory choices... hard to punk the 270 for a hunting rifle...