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Author Topic: 260 Rem vs. 6.5 Mini-Dreadnaught vs. 6.5-284?  (Read 2343 times)

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Offline Rog

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260 Rem vs. 6.5 Mini-Dreadnaught vs. 6.5-284?
« on: December 07, 2005, 07:11:54 AM »
I'm considering one of these rounds and would like some input.

Anyone shooting any of the above?

What kind of accuracy are you getting, and what barrel (T/C or custom)?

What ballistics are you getting?

Thanks.

Rog
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Offline spinafish

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260 Rem vs. 6.5 Mini-Dreadnaught vs. 6.5-28
« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2005, 12:16:02 PM »
there's the 6.5 BR and the 6.5-06 and the 6.5 MS and the 6.5X55 Swede..they all appeal to me..I load for a friend who has a 6.5 Swede in a Ruger 77 and its a sweet round to shot.  Low recoil and unbelieveably accurate.  I have considered an Encore in 6.5X57 Mauser, either rimmed or not..I know the long distance crowd really likes those long for diameter bullets..especially, in the 6.5-.284..
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Offline jhalcott

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260 Rem vs. 6.5 Mini-Dreadnaught vs. 6.5-28
« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2005, 01:57:37 PM »
rog we will need a little more info to make a thoughtfull decision.! what length barrel , what critters ,etc..
  I have a 6.5 jdj 14 inch contender that I use for deer and groundhogs. The minidreadnaught gets a couple hundred feet per second  on me. My 260 is a rifle ,22" barrel. I don't believe a couple hundred fps makes THAT much difference to Bambi. In the Encore I'd go with the 260 just because ammo is available.You MAY still need to hand load for best performance. My 7-30 14" works better with factory than any thing I've found so far!??
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Offline xphunter

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260 Rem vs. 6.5 Mini-Dreadnaught vs. 6.5-28
« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2005, 05:44:57 PM »
For the quality of the brass and dies alone I would choose the 6.5-284.
I have both a 260 Rem and 2 6.5-284's in SP's.
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Offline Rog

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260 Rem vs. 6.5 Mini-Dreadnaught vs. 6.5-28
« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2005, 05:08:20 AM »
The primary purpose for this round will be for whitetails, and possibly other critters as well.  In some cases, I'd like to be able to use it on elk (I think it's legal in Colorado, but not Oklahoma.....) and perhaps some 'yotes occasionally.

The primary purpose is for whitetail though, and at long range also.

What are the ballistics you are getting out of the 260 compared to the 6.5-284?

I'm leaning towards the 260 right now, with the 6.5-284 a close second.  I just don't believe that the 6.5 Mini Dreadnought will do what SSK claims and do it with out extreme pressure and short case life (loosened primer pockets...)

I will also use a 15" barrel.  I use to own a 7-30 Waters, 30-30 AI, 308 Win, 30-06 JDJ, and a 7 Rem Mag - all in 14" and 15" barrels.

Just kinda want something different, that has excellent down range ballistics, with recoil that is something less than the 7 Mag or 30-06 JDJ, but that is real effective at long range.  Plus, I really don't want to mess with case forming right now.  I've done that with the 30-30 AI and the 30-06 JDJ, and I kinda got tired of the hassle, along with the case loss with the 30-06 JDJ version, I just got to where I dreaded doing it.  Hence one reason why I probably won't get the 6.5 Mini Dreadnought, and also why the 260 and 6.5-284 appeal to me.

While 200 fps may not make that much diffence to bambi, it does to my mental state (he he). :-)  At reasonable handgun ranges, there all quite cabable of killing deer.

The more I think about it the more I want the 260 Rem.  The rebated rim of the 6.5-284 in an Encore causes me to pause a bit also.

Wouldn't dies from the same company be of equal quality, regardless of caliber?

Regards,
Rog :wink:
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Offline xphunter

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260 Rem vs. 6.5 Mini-Dreadnaught vs. 6.5-28
« Reply #5 on: December 08, 2005, 10:15:26 AM »
I was thinking BR die sets, not standard dies.  Redding makes comp dies for the 260.  When I think LR I also think in-line seaters, etc.  I know of a couple of guys that have 6.5-284's in Encores and have great accuracy.
You will get between 2700-2750  with 140 grainers in the 6.5-284 and about 200 fps less with the 260 Rem.
Either way you go is a good choice in my book, but I personally would go for the larger case capacity.
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Offline palgeno

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6.5's
« Reply #6 on: December 08, 2005, 01:24:22 PM »
The 6.5mm caliber is overlooked by most. They don't know what they are missing. I use in Contenders a 10 inch 6.4 tcuand 12 inch 6.5 jdj, in G2 a 14 inch 6.5 jdj, and in Encore a 15 inch 6.5-284. Each barrel is satisfyingly accurate and I am told that the mini dreadnaught version is also. Love each one of them! Just like having several girlfriends. (don't I wish!) How much velocity do you need? :eek: pg
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Offline Rog

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260 Rem vs. 6.5 Mini-Dreadnaught vs. 6.5-28
« Reply #7 on: December 09, 2005, 05:25:23 AM »
Thanks for all the replies.

Is the 6.5-284 you all are shooting the same one that is listed in the Nosler 5th edition reloading manual?  I believe it is the 6.5-284 Norma.  There are other versions of this as well correct?  T/C's custom shop offers the 6.5-284, and I am told via telephone thru Fox Ridge Outfitters that it is the 6.5-284 Norma.

XPhunter,  I figured that the 6.5-284 would be a bit faster than the 260.  However, I figured maybe ~100 fps or so.  +200 fps is a good bit more.  It sounds like the 6.5-284 does with 140's what the 260 does with 120's.  Is that a fair and correct assessment?

If the 6.5-284 will only do 2700-2750, I don't see how the 6.5 Mini-Dreadnought can do that with a smaller case....

Perhaps I'll eventually get 'em all.....

Thanks for your input.   Much appreciated.

Regards,

Rog
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Offline xphunter

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260 Rem vs. 6.5 Mini-Dreadnaught vs. 6.5-28
« Reply #8 on: December 09, 2005, 08:20:51 AM »
Rog,
JD has had a tendency IMO to push things in some of his cartridges, because speed sells.  I have two 6.5-284's (one in a XP-100-Krieger barrel and the other in a MOA Maximum-Douglas barrel).  I run 2785 from my 17 inch XP and 2720 from the 17 inch MOA with 140 grainers.  My hunting buddy steve has a 6.5-284 w/a Shilen barrel and runs right @ 2750 fps with a 140 grain (16 inch barrel).  All three use Lapua brass and either 140 Amax's,142 SMK's, 139 SST's or 140 SGK's with Fed match primer and H-4350.  Add to the mix the new Swift Scirrocco 130 grain 6.5 bullet BC .571!
My 14 inch 260 pushes the 120 @ 2540 fps (mild load but accurate).
Between Steve and I we have taken PD's out to 1800 yards, mountain goat, mulies, big horn sheep, cow elk, and coyotes, with the 6.5-284.  We have also used our 6.5's in the International Tactical Rifleman's Championship (Roving tactical comp shooting at unknown distance from the prone position) and @ 1000 yard IBS matches.  
I confess that I am prejudiced toward this cartridge.
If I was doing one in an Encore I would choose Mike Sirios OTT.  If was building one a bolt pistol I would choose a couple of smiths that build my XP's.
I have a used a 284 (7mm) Win XP for years for everything from PD's to elk and I killed all of my elk (cows and bulls) with 140 grain bullets (mainly partition).  A 140 grain 6.5 bullet will kill an elk, if you put it in the right place.
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Offline Jay HHI6818

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260 Rem vs. 6.5 Mini-Dreadnaught vs. 6.5-28
« Reply #9 on: December 09, 2005, 10:39:43 AM »
I have a 6.5 MD JDJ and the 120's are running @ 2725 FPS across the Oehler. I have not chronograhped any 140's but will nest year. JD's load sheet list the 120's @ 2800 FPS,  max load, so I'm only 75 FPS slower and I'm .75 grains of powder off max.
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Offline secretec

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260 Rem vs. 6.5 Mini-Dreadnaught vs. 6.5-28
« Reply #10 on: December 11, 2005, 09:18:49 AM »
Shot 2 whitetail this year with the 6.5 X 284 Bullberry 20" heavy sporter barrel. Both dropped in their tracks. I've killed deer with many different calibers, bullets, etc. This round is right near the top! It is highly accurate, low recoil, outperforms my bigger guns at 100, 285 and 400 yds as far as bullet drop and group size. I love this round. My 15 year old daughter killed a doe at 175 yds and she dropped in her tracks. This 6.5 could be the ultimate whitetail cartridge. Just my 2 cents...Good hunting   :grin:
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Offline Rog

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260 Rem vs. 6.5 Mini-Dreadnaught vs. 6.5-28
« Reply #11 on: December 12, 2005, 05:16:47 AM »
OK, I've 'bout decided on the 6.5-284, 'cause ya'll have nearly convinced me that it is a fine round.

What are you getting out of the 6.5-284 with 120's?
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Offline xphunter

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260 Rem vs. 6.5 Mini-Dreadnaught vs. 6.5-28
« Reply #12 on: December 12, 2005, 06:15:06 AM »
Never used 120's but I would assume about 200 fps faster than the 140's.
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Offline Hopalong7

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260 Rem vs. 6.5 Mini-Dreadnaught vs. 6.5-28
« Reply #13 on: December 14, 2005, 01:48:12 AM »
I've been a 6.5 fan for years (6.5 JDJ) and have often thought about the 6.5-.284 in an Encore.  But, I'm also one who much prefers rimmed cases to rimless in Contender/Encores...even more so since my fingers are getting old and arthritic.  I can't help but think that the rebated rim would be even more of a problem.  Am I making a moutain out of a mole hill? :?   Walt
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Offline Rog

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260 Rem vs. 6.5 Mini-Dreadnaught vs. 6.5-28
« Reply #14 on: December 14, 2005, 04:38:57 AM »
Hopalong,

I too was initially concerned about the rebated rim of the 6.5-284 case.  However, T/C offers that barrel thru their custom shop, Fox Ridge Outfitters.  So, with that in mind, I'm thinking if extraction was a problem, then they wouldn't offer it as a chambering, so they wouldn't have to deal with unhappy customers and barrel returns, etc.  Don't know if this is the case or not, but I feel comfortable with getting a barrel in this chambering.

While I'd prefer a case with a rim, I don't know of a case that would work for a rimmed version of the 6.5-284.  The 376 Styer case is similar in dimensions but still has a slightly rebated rim.

Regards,
Rog
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Offline palgeno

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6.5-284
« Reply #15 on: December 14, 2005, 09:15:37 AM »
The 6.5-284 Encore barrel I have is from TC Custom Shop---no problems with extraction so far. :grin: pg
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Offline Rog

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260 Rem vs. 6.5 Mini-Dreadnaught vs. 6.5-28
« Reply #16 on: December 16, 2005, 03:11:56 AM »
Great!  While I would prefer a rimmed, or even a rimless cartridge, I don't think the rebated rim will pose a problem.  I've had more problems from the belted rounds in my Encores than from any other type of case.

I have come to the conclusion that this 6.5-284 would make an ideal deer cartridge in the Encore.  The bullets that are available from Hornady (129 SST) and Swift (130 Scirroco) and from Nosler (120 BT and 140 PT) should really make excellent choices for deer sized game.

Best of all, no case forming (for me at least), and with a case that is fairly optimized.  I know an Ackley version exists also, I think, but I don't think it's needed for this one, at least for case capacity reasons.

Now just gotta get the barrel..... and top it off with a good scope....

Thanks for all the input.  Much appreciated.

Regards,
Rog
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Offline xphunter

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260 Rem vs. 6.5 Mini-Dreadnaught vs. 6.5-28
« Reply #17 on: December 16, 2005, 03:53:14 AM »
Welcome to the 6.5-284 club :)
FWIW My top choice barrel is a 1-8 twist 5C Broughton and I would use OTT since with his edm process he can match your brass or you dies, or a happy medium between the two.
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