Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Is there a difference between a 6.5X284 Winchester and a 6.5X284 Norma?

Are there die sets for either cartridge or different reamers required for these.I am confused.Huntz

Several long dissertations on the 6.5-284 Win / Norma 'differences out on the Innerweb.

In short, the 6.5-284 Win was the designation before Norma standardized (i.e. got SAAMI approval) the cartridge. And if I recall correctly, the 6.5-284 Norma has a longer throat than the pre-SAAMI, 5.6x284 Win.

The bar size is different too
Sometimes WW brass doesn't work great on the Norma. Sometimes Norma doesn't work best in the original Winchest chamberings

Can't speak to any WW vs Norma brass fitment issues. I've always used Lapua brass. I got my reamer from Dave Manson several years ago. I remember his wife answering the phone and when I told her what I wanted, she said "Let me have you talk to Dave" Dave went on to ask what brass and bullets I intended to use - Told him that Midway had delivered 200rnds of 6.5-284 brass the day before, and that I was narrowing down my bullet choices to a couple - 140gr NP being one of them. Been using Lapua brass and Redding dies to this day in the rifle I have chambered with the Manson reamer.

I think you're right.

Mine is the Norma version, as are most.

DF

I was always under the impression that the Norma version which is the only 6.5-284 recognized by SAAMI, specified a much longer seating out to app 3.2 inches OAL while the Winchester version referred to limiting the bullet seating to the OAL of the parent cartridge of 2.8 inches. Other than that they were identical case dimensions.

Exactly. That's the only significant "difference."

There is a lot of difference between the Winchester and Norma versions. The WIn has a base head diameter of .504
The Norma, .502. The necks are .301 and .297 respectively.
The Leade on the Norma is .180 to the winchester. 060.

I have both reamers and both prints.

Well Dennis if that's case, this old dog learned something - thanks for that. That begs my next question: has anyone ever seen any commercial production for the 6.5-284 Win? The reason I ask is I could not find any reference to it on SAAMI; I would think that most ammo producers would never offer to the public ammo that was not recognized by SAAMI. Not singing their praises but they are about the only recognized ammunition standards authority especially as they've been blessed by ANSI. (I'm still pissed how they let a bastard version of Mr. Ackley's original 280AI out the door.)

Great information Guys

sounds like the differences in some folks versions of reamers and necks to the exact same round.

This may be why I had so much trouble with a straight 284 win and couldn't find brass. necked down 6.5x284 win from Hornady. It overpressure and stuck in chambers etc... finally some 284 win brass by win was available after a guy sent me 10. Those work just perfect in that Rem 600 in 284 with a custom tube. Either the brass was off or the chamber was not what I suspected it was when cut.