6.5x284 Norma questions

[yorketransport]

I'm looking to rebarrel my Savage LRPV to a larger caliber. It's a 22-250 right now, and I'd like something that's more appropriate for deer hunting and long range shooting (600+ yds). I have it narrowed down to either a 260 Rem or 6.5x284 Norma in a Shilien Select Match barrel from Norhtland Shooters Supply. Now I just need some advice from people with the Norma round to help me make my decision.

First up, if I use reformed .284 Win brass, do I need to fireform it first? I plan to use the Nosler Custom brass, but is there better brass out there, or just a better value in a different brand? Along the same lines, do I need to be certain that the dies I get are specificaly for the Norma version and not the older 6.5x284 Win?

Next up, barrel life. I know that the 6.5x284 is pretty hard on barrels. It sounds like around 1,000 rounds is the average life span of a barrel. I know that the 260 Rem can be expected to nearly triple that. Is the added performance enough to make the shorter barrel life worth it? Also, what sort of practical performance diferences are there between the two rounds. It looks like the Norma as about a 200fps advantage. Is that correct?

And finally, barrel length. Does the Norma benefit from a barrel over 26"? The barrel I'm looking at is 30". I'm thinking of having it cut to 26" and having it muzzle braked to make it more bench friendly. Any thoughts?

[roper]

Norma,Laupa,Nosler and I think Hornady still makes 6.5x284 brass.  I've got afew rd fired in my 6.5x284 and if you push the 140gr bullets it can be hard on barrels as far as a match rifle in a normal hunting rifle should last as long as a 260.  They use the name 6.5x284 Norma to get SAAMI spec on OAL for factory ammo you use the same dies  6.5x284.

I don't target shoot with my 6.5x284 I'll shoot alittle paper once in a while just to keep my loads and me tuned and I keep my velocity around mid 2900fps with 140gr bullets and I get a very low ES/SD and my barrel is 29" with muzzle brake.  Since Berger has alot of good 7mm bullets might want to look at just the standard 284 read this article http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek088.html

Well good luck

[yorketransport]

Thanks for the response Roper. I actually have read the article over on 6mmBR.com and it did get me thinking about possibly running a plain 284. But there's just something about the 6.5mm that intrigues me.

[Catfish]

You should have no trouble burnning out the barrel on a 6.5- 284 unless your putting alot of round down the tube in a short while. I`m shooting a .22-6mm and have around 500 rounds down the tube and cannot see any throught errsion yet. The smith that built the gun said he has one out with over 2,000 rounds down the tube and it`s still shooting abt 1/2 moa groups. Just don`t go bang, bang , bang as fast as you can and the barrels will last a long time.

[Jim n Iowa]

I have a 6.5-284 on a rem 700,  as I am not into comp shooting, just long range paper punching and varmint/preditor hunting. I am not concerned with barrel life. If after 1000+rds it falls off big time, the smith will cut some off and start over. I can tell you I love the accuracy of this gun.
Jim

[RWK]

Roper- i'm as dump as a stump what is ES/SD

[yorketransport]

It's extreme spread and standard deviation in the velocity.

[Jim n Iowa]

I forgot to add, that while awaiting Norma and Lapua brass I purchased win 284 brass. I resized them to 6.5 and trimmed them. Upon break in I found that some 6.5 Sierra would not chamber, and no Hornady would chamber. The problem was the win brass expanded (memory) back, very slight movement. Once fire formed they were fine. So I am not sure how to correct the rest of my 284 brass for a 6.5. I would stay with Norma or Lapua brass for the 6.5-284.
Jim