Encore in 6.5 x 284

[Greenhunter]

Does anyone have any experience with this caliber in an Encore?
What rate of twist is recommended?

From what I have read, this caliber has about as much terminal energy at 300 yards as the .300 Win Mag does with much less recoil.
Any comments on that?

[Minnesota1]

After an article I read in a gun magazine a few months ago I wanted that caliber as well.  The big draw back was that so many people commented that after 400-500 Rounds your barrel will be shot out!  I guess the extreme speed and everything eats the barrel up.  Just thought I'd let you know what little I do about it.

Good luck.

[Greenhunter]

That is a good point and probably a result of loading the round to the maximum.
Although 500 rounds seems to be a bit early.
I have heard of the barrels being shot out somewhere
around 1000-1300 hours mainly due to throat erosion.

I have no need for maximum velocity, as accuracy is more important to me.
The 140gr. 6.5mm bullet seems to me to be far underrated in the U.S. for hunting.

Midway USA is advertising Encore barrels in 6.5x284 for around $250.
I may get one but it would be for hunting not target shooting.
At that price I could afford two barrels for the price of one custom made barrel.

[Varmint Hunter]

Many of the match barrels that are shot out in 1,000 rds - 1,500 rds were  used to shoot rapid groups. Thus, accelerating throat erosion in a manner that would not happen in a typical hunting rifle. I don't shoot any of my rifles until the barrels are hot and the accurate life of the barrels shows the benefit of spacing your shots/groups out.

[shotgun31]

I have a Bullberry in 6.5X06 on my Encore, that I'm very satisfied with.  I wouldn't have gone with the caliber if the barrel would be shot out that fast, and people that I know that have either the X284 or the X06 version of the 6.5 bore sure like them.

The X06 version in the Encore chambers and extracts smoothly and positively.
Shotgun       

[shotgun31]

I missed part of your question.  1X9 is the normal twist for the 6.5X06 or X284.  There are some 1X8 barrels around.  1X9 stabilizes 140's just fine.  I haven't tried 156 or 160's.
Shotgun

[Greenhunter]

The Midway USA catalog shows a 24" encore barrel with a 1 in 8" twist for the 6.5x284.
They also show a 6.0-06 caliber barrel and a 25-06, but no 6.5-06's in their list.

I think I'll try the 6.5x284 with that 1 in 8" twist and see how it does.

[okiecat]

I built my first 6.5X284 in '82 on a rem 600 action and its still going strong.  Taken a lot of deer with it.  Have a new Encore barrel right now for sale in the classifieds.  This caliber usually shoots the 140's @ 2900'.   It is extremely accurate.  One of the most popular calibers for F-class competition.  The advantage of the Encore is you can long throat the chamber so the bullet is not pushed into the case.  This lets you seat the bullet into the rifling.

[HEAD0001]

I have an Encore with a 6.5X284 MGM barrel with a 28 inch barrel.  It shoots very well, but was finicky to get there.  mine likes N-165 with a 140 grain pill.  But to compare it to a 300 Win. Mag.??  No way.  It is a great long range rig for small to medium game, but definitely not a 300.

As far as twist rate goes, it depends on what bullet you want to shoot.  The cartridge shines with the 140 grain-high BC bullets.  Tom

[Greenhunter]

The ballistis table in Gun Digest
It shows the ft.lbs. of energy for the 6.5/284 (142 gr.) at 1982 @ 400 yards.
It also shows the the ft.lbs. of energy for the .300 Win Mag. (180 gr.) at 2068@ 400 yards.

This is something that I found most attractive about the 6.5 MM bullet.
It hits with authority at half the recoil of the .300 Win Mag. !

[ourway77]

Have been shooting my 6.5-284 Bullberry 26" at 2900 FPS with a 120 Sierra spitzer bullet. I have been shooting Deer on Crop damage permits. Most all the shots are over 300 yards. Exit wound is very large. The Deer go right down. The more I shoot it the more I like it. Use to use a 300 RUM for this purpose, but now no where near the recoil. Haven't tried any heavier bullets yet, as I got the rifle for Varmit Hunting, but have found it is a great deer rifle. If the barrel goes I will get another, or see about a rechamber and re-crown if possible. Lou