which fast 6.5 for a rifle build?

[benchracer]

I purchased a Left Hand Ruger M77 MkII as a base gun for a custom build.  I intend to have this built as a sporter weight rifle, not a bench gun.  That means a barrel no more than 24" long in a light to sporter contour.  Expected applications for this gun include coyote hunting, antelope/deer hunting, recreational (not competition) shooting out to 1000 yards. 

I would like to have my rifle chambered for one of the fast 6.5's.  I am especially favoring cartridges that can achieve 2900+ fps from a 24" barrel with 140 grain bullets.  Because my rifle has a 30-06 length action, I have eliminated .260 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x47 Lapua and similar short action cartridges from consideration.

I am on the fence regarding the 6.5x55 and the 6.5-284.

 The 6.5x55 is by no means a fast 6.5, but I hesitate to discount it completely because of its sweetheart reputation.  It is just long enough to not be totally out of place in a long action rifle.

The 6.5-284, too, as commonly loaded, is just long enough to be reasonable in a long action rifle.  It can achieve the performance I desire.  It is simple to reload.  The popularity of this cartridge in competitive shooting has assured reasonable supplies of quality components.  However, the 6.5-284 seems to have a reputation for being a difficult cartridge to feed reliably and smoothly in a repeater.  In a sporting rifle, I am not sure that I want to put up with that.  Additionally, I think there are alternatives that equal or better the performance of the 6.5-284 with more easily obtainable brass.

6.5-06 is the cartridge that I originally had in mind when I bought the rifle.  It's performance is roughly equal to the 6.5-284.  Dies are no problem.  Options for brass are limitless and inexpensive.  Easy to reload.

.264 Hawk is interesting to me.  It is based on the .280 case, rather than the 30-06 case.  Supposedly very close to .264 Win Mag in performance.  However, I am not an advanced reloader and am not wild about having to fireform cases for it.  I would rather spend my range time shooting.  Additionally, the .264 Win Mag is said to be sufficiently overbore to need at least a 26" barrel to perform to its potential.  I wonder if this is also true of the .264 Hawk?  Have some of the newer powders changed this dynamic?

6.5-280 AI also has me interested.  I would expect it to behave similarly to the .264 Hawk.  I am intrigued by the possibility of using Nosler custom 280 AI brass, thinking that this would allow me to eliminate the need to fireform my cases.  Am I correct in thinking this?  The potential for longer brass life and less case trimming is also of interest to me.  Still, having no experience and little information to go on, I do not know enough about this cartridge to fairly evaluate how complicated it would be to reload.

Does anyone have experience with these cartridges?  I would be very interested in any thoughts, ideas, feedback, information sources, or experiences anyone has relevant to the subject.  With the exception of the 6.5x55 and the 6.5-284, I have been unable to find much in the way of information on the real world shooting characteristics of these cartridges.

If you were going to have this rifle built, which 6.5 cartridge would you choose from the above options, and why?

Thanks in advance for sharing your wisdom/experience and shedding some light upon this subject for me.

[jasonprox700]

Out of what you chose, the 6.5-284 will probably be your best bet.  It is probably the most effcient out of the loads you mentioned.  Although, achieving 2900+fps with 140 grainers out of a 24" will mean you will have to probably push the loads to the max. 

[jdt48653]

i have never regretted buying my 264,it is super accurate.i bought it in 2000
2 more inches helps the overbore problem,which has not been a problem.
also no throat problems and the rifling is great.i don`t reload so i use
conley precision cartridge ammo.the 140sp`s leave at 3,200fps.i buy them by the case 100 rounds they are a bargin the last ones i bought were
22.37 per 20 rounds.they may have gone up but would be a bargin still
for what you get.i donot let my barrel get hot,and i clean it often.
you might check on the 6.5x68 european round,it is a beltless twin to the
264 winmag.

[charles p]

Will have to open things up for the 264.  It is a magnum caliber and fatter than the others.  Cartridge head is larger also.

Consider a 280 Ackley only if you are buying a new barrell.

[nodlenor]

I would go with the 6.5-06 but that is just my choice. I like the 30-06 family. My first deer rifle was a 270 win. and I've never been sorry. I've added a 25-06 and like it a lot also. Just my 2 cents worth and it probably ain't worth that much. Follow your heart and get what you want or you will never be happy.

[Lone Star]

Several questions: First, why discount the shorter cartridges just because you have a long action?  Several of them will perform much better with long range bullets if they are loaded out to lengths not available in short actions.

Second, why an arbitrary 140@2900 fps?  Will 200 fps either way make any real difference in the field?  You say this yet you are considering the 6.5x55?

It is proven that shorter cartridges are better at very long range, that's why someone with desires like yours but in .30 caliber would choose the .308 over the .30-06.  If I were you, I'd stick with the .260, the 6.5x.284 or the 6.5x47 Lapua.  Proven superior performance at very long range, and plenty of power for the animals you intend to hunt.  I have used a .260 in a M700 VLS for a decade and it has outstanding accuracy at very long range.  Remember, you asked....


.

[Tallwalker]

The Ruger is one of the shortest "long" actions around, and most 6.5's do have a long overall length for their size. Another thing is that Ruger actions do have their feed rails milled for specific calibers, or a range of calibers based on the same case. For both these reasons it would be wise to make dummy rounds of any caliber you consider, and see how they work in the action before commiting lots of money, and time to the project. On the other hand my short action M77MKII feeds .257 Roberts rounds better than the round (.308) that it's chambered for.

[benchracer]

First, thanks to all who replied to my questions.  Having the chance to pick the brains of other shooters is always very useful to me.

Second, it would appear that I need to answer some questions and clarify some things.  So, here goes...


For various reasons, I really have no interest in the shorter cartridges.  I excluded them from the beginning in an attempt to focus the discussion on the cartridges that I am considering.  I was and am simply trying to prevent the thread from going off on a tangent.

Despite the fact that the 6.5x55 is not among the fast 6.5's, it remains on my list as a benchmark against which I can compare my other choices.  It is, in my opinion, a very well balanced cartridge.  My desired performance standard of 140gr bullet @2900+ is a reflection of my use of the 6.5x55 as a performance benchmark.  If loaded to modern pressures for a standard cartridge, my understanding is that the 6.5x55 can achieve 2700+ with a 140gr bullet from a 24" barrel.  If I back the bullet weight to 130gr or so, I can reach 2900.  If I back it down to 120, I can get pretty close to 3000.  All without heavy recoil, muzzle blast, throat erosion, etc.

I see 140gr @2900+ to be the minimum necessary to justify something other than a 6.5x55.  I do not consider a 100fps difference from cartridge to cartridge to be significant.  However, my dividing line for significance on this score starts around 200fps.  That is roughly the difference between the 7x57 and a good handload in .280 Remington.  I have shot both and feel the difference to be enough to justify a step up if the extra performance is desired.  However, I am not looking for a lot more than 2900+ because it seems to me that I would have to pay more of a price in overall shootability to reach that level of performance.

FWIW, I really don't think that there is a nickel's worth of difference among the cartridges that I am considering (at least in terms of exterior ballistics).  While a benchrest shooter may see things differently, for my purposes, there is really no difference in practical accuracy between these cartridges either (given a rifle of equal quality).  I am simply trying to decide which cartridge will meet my chosen performance level with the mildest manners and least hassle.  If it turns out that my expectations are unrealistic, I intend to simply opt for the 6.5x55-- which is a known quantity.

Base on feedback so far, though, I am leaning toward the 6.5-284 or the 6.5-06.  Still interested in further advice, however.

[Tunaman]

While i do not own one, I have always been ntrigued by the 6.5-06. With all other things being close to equal, the avalibility of cheap and plentiful brass would be my deerming factor. It is hard to go wrong with the 06 family.

[AtlLaw]

it would appear that I need to answer some questions and clarify some things.  So, here goes...

I just spent a long time writing a response to this post and managed to loose it!     So, I will do it again but in an abbreviated form!   

While I don't think you have to justify your wants and desires, I also think the reasoning you used in making your decision is logical and sound.  Probably because it sounds like the way I think!    You see, I was very disappointed when I found out the 260 was based on the 308 rather then the '06.  Now don't get me wrong, I like the 260.  Got 2 of 'em; although one is going to be a 250 soon... But it's in the same league as the 6.5x55 in a Swede action.  Now don't get me wrong, I like the 6.5x55.  Got 3 of 'em; although one is going to be a 7x57 soon...  But I doubt if you would have ever got your upper end 6.5 "itch" if the 260 had been based on the '06 case.   

I am leaning toward the 6.5-284 or the 6.5-06.

Either one should scratch that itch.  Since the 6.5/284 never turned me on, I would opt for the 6.5/06 as you can probably tell.  However, if I were in the mood for an upper end 6.5, I would compare the others to the the 6.5 Hawk, or an improved version thereof, if the Hawk case isn't already blown out since I can't remember if it is or not since I'm old an senile ... 

Normally I'm not much of a one for wildcats because there are just to many factory rounds out there that do the same thing.  Take my beloved 338/06 for example.  I briefly, very briefly, considered rechambering it for the 338 Hawk.  But why?  If I wanted more then she could give me I would just go to the ubiquitous 338 Win. Mag.!  This is not really the case with the 6.5 caliber.  Therefore a 30/06 length, minimum taper, sharp shouldered case with a neck somewhat in excess of .26 inch sounds downright promising!    

[Coyote Hunter]

I would go with the 6.5-06 but that is just my choice.   ...

That would also be my choice.

[benchracer]

Well, I am continuing to mull this over...  Thanks AtlLaw, for your understanding of the "itch" that I am indeed trying to scratch.  I, too, am more interested in the '06 based 6.5 wildcats.  If I were to use the .264 Hawk as my benchmark cartridge, that would most certainly shake things up a bit.  In order of preference, here is my current thinking:


6.5-280 AI

This would give me .264 Hawk class performance with longer case life, less case trimming, and possibly without the need to fireform if I buy custom brass.  I thought that I had seen dies for this chambering on midway, but can't find them now, which probably means that I would need custom dies.


.264 Hawk

Near .264 Win. Mag performance.  Requires custom dies and fireforming or custom brass.


6.5-06

Less case capacity than the other two, thus not quite as fast.  Easy to reload-- no fireforming needed.  Cases easily made from necked up 25-06 brass.  Dies available from midway.  Simple. No fuss, no muss.  I could AI this, but I would be back to fireforming.  Might as well go with one of the other two in that case.


Random Thoughts

I am thinking that some further research is in order.  I plan to order a set of P.O. Ackley's books from EABCO to find out more about the 6.5-280 AI.  Perhaps those books will contain sufficient info to help me determine whether or not I would be able to neck down .280 AI brass with no other changes.

Perhaps I should just get over myself on the fireforming issue.  Never done fireforming.  Maybe it is really not that much of a hassle.  Then again...

Maybe the 6.5-06 should win out on simplicity.  I dunno.

I find it somewhat surprising that I have not a single response from someone who has actual shooting experience with the '06 based 6.5's.  This leads me to believe that, while there is interest in the '06 based 6.5's, most shooters seem to opt for one of the short action 6.5's or the .264 Win. Mag.  I guess that makes me the guinea pig on this one.  I am also interested by the fact that those in favor of the '06 based wildcat approach overwhelmingly would choose 6.5-06.

I am most assuredly overthinking this, but then, I am not called benchracer for nothing...

Still very interested in more input...

[SteveC99]

I'm going to throw one in favor of the 6.5x55.  Aside from the 264Win, it is the only 6.5 rifle I figure I need.  I load for 4 different Swede chambered rifles, a Ruger 77, 2 Winchester 70 FW with push feed, and another Win 70 FW with CRF.  All will easily reach 2,775 to 2,800 with RL-22 and 140 gr bullets, 2,850-2,890 with 125-130 and H4350, and 3,000 with 120's and H4350. This is from data from multiple published sources, shot over a chronograph from a 22" barrel.  Any of those will handle anything I would shoot with the cartridge (up to and including Elk) as far away as I am comfortable shooting at game.

There are two things about the 6.5x55 I really like.  First, alongside the .308 Win, it is the easiest and most accurate cartridge I have loaded for.  Like the .308, if there is no inherent problem with the rifle, any reasonable powder and bullet combo just works.  In this vein, all 4 of the above rifles will essentially group any weight bullets into very nearly the same group.  That is a very handy aspect.  Second, it doesn't kick much and that makes it easy for anybody to shoot well.

I understand about scratching the itch.  I also bet I'd be pretty happy with a good rifle from any of those listed.  Just that I've shot the Swede in my Ruger since 1993 and I know what it will do and what I can do with it.

Steve

[Don Fischer]

I have the 6.5x06. Using the bullet you want, consider the rifling twist. Mine is 1-9 and I have trouble stablizing the 140gr bullets. The 142gr SMK Sierra claims won't in a 1-9 and Hornady claims the 140gr A-Max won't. My barrel is a Shilen and they recommend a 1-8 for 140gr bullets. Mine was supposed to be 1-8 but the gunsmith screwed up. I do have a 140gr SMK load that shoots but it was a chore finding it.

Don't discount the 6.5x55 by a long shot. My mod 70 Featherweight is a fine shooter, never cronographed it yet tho. I did have one put together for the ex and with a 23" barrel it got about 2850fps with 140gr Hornadys as I recall, Mauser supreme action.

[rdh]

I have three 6.5" one model 70 xtr magnumn in 264 winchester, a 264 winchester 26" encore barrel, and a 6.5x55 swede 26" encore barrel. Like some of the others have said the little swede is a good round as far as reloading and shooting. I realy like both of my 264"s. If I were hunting where you were going to have a lot of open field shots I would go with the 264 but if mainly woods hunting goes you cant get any better than the swede. This is just my opinion hope this helps

[roper]

However, the 6.5-284 seems to have a reputation for being a difficult cartridge to feed reliably and smoothly in a repeater.  In a sporting rifle, I am not sure that I want to put up with that.  Additionally, I think there are alternatives that equal or better the performance of the 6.5-284 with more easily obtainable brass.

benchracer,  I'm not sure who you have talked to about building a 6.5x284 but they do feed thru a bolt action rifle at least mine does.  Win made the model 88/100 284,Browning made a bolt action rifle along with Ruger in 284 also Browning made the blr in 284.  Savage is now making a bolt action rifle in 6.5x284 plus others so there has been a long history of factory bolt action rifles being made in the 284 case.

I never considered the 6.5x06 nothing against the case I just like the idea I can buy 6.5x284 brass load and go shoot.  I also shoot the 280AI had a 30x280AI build really know if I gain much over doing the 30x06AI one thing I do know is dies would of been cheaper also I did think about doing a 6.5x280AI but reamer and die cost.

One of the thing you have to watch for is mag length if doing the 6.5x06 with the 140/142gr bullet your going to be around 3.450" the 6.5x284 is max at 3.310".  Well good luck

[onesonek]

I would go the 6.5-284. It has roughly the same capacity as the 06 case, but you'll be able to utilize more of it, seating the the heavier weights out from standard. If you are going to play at a 1000 yds, my bullet of choice providing it shoots well, would be the 140 gr. JLK. And it takes a 1-8" twist. It also better to error slightly on the faster side, so I believe 1-8" shouldn't pose any major problems with your more common hunting weights. Which again my choice would be something like the 130 gr. Accubond, for general hunting. It may cause some issues with the lighter weight such as the 100 grainer. The 120 gr. may not shoot the greatest at closer ranges, but should "sleep" somewhere around 200 yds. I would have to run a program to be sure.
Personally I think, and don't take this wrong, you are wanting to build a for too many purposes in mind. Each to their own however!

Dave

[rickt300]

I went all out and built a fast 6.5 on an action built for the 7MM RM. I used a Lilga barrel with a 1 in 12 inch twist planning on using bullets no heavier than the 125 grain Nosler Partition. I decided on the 264 Win Mag case after a lot of thought on building a 6.5 Shooting Times Westerner. The slower twist allowed me to get 150 fps more than I could have with a 1 in 9 twist.  What I got was a very accurate flat shooting rifle that was really destructive on deer and antelope. A vicious one shot killer. My rifle had a 26 inch tube and was on a Remington 700 action. In the end though it was long and loud and when I moved from Wyoming I sold it to friend.  The Ruger action might seem a bit short for the 6.5-06 and the longer bullets however I had no tears to shed using only bullets of less than 125 grains in weight.

[Don Fischer]

My 6.5-06 is built on long 700 action. The chamber was long throated to allow seating out the 140gr bullets. OLL with the 140gr SMK is 3.465" and the load keep's 2 1/2" to 3' groups at 500yds. Using the 129gr Hornady the OLL is 3.365" so I have a pretty good jump the the lands. But it keeps them between 1/2" and 3/4" at 100yds.

[Doesniper]

I have a Rem. 700 long action that I had chambered in 260 AI. It has a Kreiger #5 with a 1 in 9 twist. I have cronographed 147g Clinch River bullets at 2950 fps. A 6.5x284 will give about 100 to 150 fps more. Accuracy has been super.
I think some barrels have a correct twist, and some may vary. The 147g Clinch River is a long sleek bullet with a BC around .624. I've been able to shoot a inch and under a 400 yds.

[Coyote Hunter]

Well, I am continuing to mull this over...  Thanks AtlLaw, for your understanding of the "itch" that I am indeed trying to scratch.  I, too, am more interested in the '06 based 6.5 wildcats.  If I were to use the .264 Hawk as my benchmark cartridge, that would most certainly shake things up a bit.  In order of preference, here is my current thinking:


6.5-280 AI

This would give me .264 Hawk class performance with longer case life, less case trimming, and possibly without the need to fireform if I buy custom brass.  I thought that I had seen dies for this chambering on midway, but can't find them now, which probably means that I would need custom dies.


.264 Hawk

Near .264 Win. Mag performance.  Requires custom dies and fireforming or custom brass.


6.5-06

Less case capacity than the other two, thus not quite as fast.  Easy to reload-- no fireforming needed.  Cases easily made from necked up 25-06 brass.  Dies available from midway.  Simple. No fuss, no muss.  I could AI this, but I would be back to fireforming.  Might as well go with one of the other two in that case.


Random Thoughts

I am thinking that some further research is in order.  I plan to order a set of P.O. Ackley's books from EABCO to find out more about the 6.5-280 AI.  Perhaps those books will contain sufficient info to help me determine whether or not I would be able to neck down .280 AI brass with no other changes.

Perhaps I should just get over myself on the fireforming issue.  Never done fireforming.  Maybe it is really not that much of a hassle.  Then again...

Maybe the 6.5-06 should win out on simplicity.  I dunno.

I find it somewhat surprising that I have not a single response from someone who has actual shooting experience with the '06 based 6.5's.  This leads me to believe that, while there is interest in the '06 based 6.5's, most shooters seem to opt for one of the short action 6.5's or the .264 Win. Mag.  I guess that makes me the guinea pig on this one.  I am also interested by the fact that those in favor of the '06 based wildcat approach overwhelmingly would choose 6.5-06.

I am most assuredly overthinking this, but then, I am not called benchracer for nothing...

Still very interested in more input...

Benchracer –

The 6.5mm-06’s are popular for long range shooting and are quite accurate.  That no one with experience here has responded to your posts just means you are asking on the wrong forum.  Try a Google search and you will find a lot of information.

Since my first post on this subject I have acquired a new Interarms Mark X action that I’m building a custom rifle on.  During my decision-making process I evaluated the long-range performance of a lot of cartridge and bullet combinations.  In the end I decided on a 6.5mm-06 AI with an intent to use 120-140g bullets.  The rifle is intended to be used for shooting clay pigeons at 400 yards and up, deer out to 800 yards and  the steel silhouettes at the NRA Whittington Center (no magnums allowed).

What I found is the standard 6.5mm-06, pushing a 130g Scirocco to 3151fps (Nosler 6th but with a Scirocco rather than an AccuBond) will shoot very flat out to 800 yards and still retain over 1100fpe.  Comparing it to a 7mm STW pushing a 140g AccuBond to 3432fps and zeroing both for MPBR for a 6” diameter target (max rise = 3”), the 6.5mm-06 acquits itself very well and the AI version should do a tad better.  For example, at 800 yards the STW is down 96.5” and retains 1236fpe while the 6.5mm-06 is down 109.8” and retains 1121fpe.  Assuming an 8.3 pound rifle/scope combo and using Nosler 6th powder charges, the difference is recoil is considerable – 28.3fpe for the STW and a mere 16.6fpe for the 6.5mm-06.  (Figure an unscoped .30-30 will run around 12 pounds fpe recoil with a 170g load.)  That is performance I can live with!

The issue of case formation was also one I considered.  Options included buying properly headstamped brass for around $1.50 to $2.00 each, or making my own.  It turns out that making 6.5mm-06 or 6.5mm-06AI cases are equally easy.  Kirby Allen of Allen Precision Shooting says you can form the brass by using unsized .25-06 brass.  For either the standard 6.5mm-06 or the Ackley version, just seat a 6.5mm boattail into a .25-06 case over  middling powder charge and fire.   I figure  accurate case forming loads can be determined fairly quickly (10 loads or so using my standard methods).  That means I can use cheap .25-06 brass, have fun plinking while forming brass, and develop the hunting and long-range loads after fire-forming. 

One reason I plan to use the Ackley version is the formed cases will no longer fit into a standard .25-06 chamber.  While I don’t currently have a .25-06, there is no guarantee I won’t get one and see no reason to roll out a red carpet for Murphy.






 

[FW Conch]

    6.5 x 30-06        Jim

  Edit  1/19/'09  ? Come on "Hunter"  "telluswatchyagonnado" ? !     Jim

[Roger Beach]

I wanted a fast 6.5 and finally settled on a 6.5 X 64 Brenneke, aka 6.5 X 270 Winchester. I almost went for the 6.5AAR, a 6.5 on a 257 Roberts (see Ackley's Handloaders Handbook) but an article by Charles Benke in HANDLOADER #176 August/September 1995 convinced me. Benke mentioned he had seen the 6.5 X 64 Brenneke in a German sporting magazine. He went on to say Ray Montgomery, a gunsmith in Grand Junction, CO used the 6.5/06 for 20 years and prefers to ream the 6.5/06 chamber .050 deeper so you can use 270W cases, or any of the rest of the '06 family of cartridge cases. A 270 case is the longest, and loading one in a '06 chamber could raise pressures dramatically with the long neck.

 It will drive a 140 gr. at 3000, and 160 gr. over 2800 out of a 24" barrel, according to Benke. That 160 at 2800 is right on the heels of the 264WM.

Easy to find cheap brass, easy to load, fast enough for long range, and bullets heavy enough for moose and elk. The Scandanavian hunters have used 6.5 X 55 for moose with a 156 gr. for decades.

I bought a Douglas premium barrel with a 10" twist to shoot the lighter bullets. This is a Dakota coyote, antelope, and Mule deer rifle. I have others for bigger game.  Benke's test rifle was the same twist and he claims to be able to shoot everything from 85 to 160 grains after working up loads. The 10 inch twist will not shoot the ultra long 140 gr. Barnes or the 155 Sierra Match-King bullets, according to Benke.

The 6.5 X 284 is nearly identical in performance from all I've read, but not being sure how long the 284 cases would be available, I went with the '06 version on a Remington 700 action and a 24" barrel. It only took me 13 years to take the plunge and build one up. Ray Montgomery of Ray's Gunsmith Shop in Grand Junction did the work. I figured since he'd done a lot of them and hunted with one for 20 years, he could do it properly.

Just need to open the barrel channel for the new barrel and glass bed the action and I am ready to go. I'll get a box of all weights and play with them weights at the range, but probably stick with a 129 gr. Hornady for most everything I plan to hunt with it. I prefer to put one weight in a rifle and shoot it until the trajectory is built into my head. Just my 2 cents.

Now I have to finish the bedding and then worry about whether to barrel my newly acquired Chas. Daly LH 98 Mauser to 35 Whelen or 9.3 X 62.

Have fun and be safe

Roger

[benchracer]

Wow!  Thanks for some great responses fellas!  All of you provided me with some food for thought-- exactly what I was after. 

Well, I have at long last decided to take the plunge and start the process of having my rifle built.  After considerable thought, I have decided to go with 6.5-06AI.  Very soon, I will send my Ruger action off to be rebarreled.  Following that, it will be sent off to be fitted with a new stock.  I will keep y'all posted on how this turns out.

Thanks again for your advice and input!

[Badnews Bob]

Diggin up an old post there anit'cha Brad. I'll see if I can't get that ruger taken apart here real soon for ya.

BTW the walls are up in the new man cave, Gotta mud in the drywall and paint then in go the new benches, This ones gonna be a little bigger than the one I had in Piney Branch.

[handi243]

plus 1 6.5x06 IF you have along action if it is a short 6.5x284

[Siskiyou]

I am on the fence regarding the 6.5x55 and the 6.5-284.

The 6.5-284, too, as commonly loaded, is just long enough to be reasonable in a long action rifle.  It can achieve the performance I desire.  It is simple to reload.  The popularity of this cartridge in competitive shooting has assured reasonable supplies of quality components.  However, the 6.5-284 seems to have a reputation for being a difficult cartridge to feed reliably and smoothly in a repeater.  In a sporting rifle, I am not sure that I want to put up with that.  Additionally, I think there are alternatives that equal or better the performance of the 6.5-284 with more easily obtainable brass.

Interest this topic popped up again this evening.  I asked my brother today about his 6.5-284 built on a Ruger Mark II Right-hand action.  He is having problems feeding the second round out of the magzine. He has not modified the magzine.  He plans on installing a 6.5X55 barrel on the action.

He has a substantial investment in 6.5-284 dies, and brass.   He has an acquaintance who has one on a Remington 700 action and it feeds the rounds smoothly out of an unmodified magzine.  With modification the 6.5-284 barrel can be fitted to a Rem. 700 action he has.  This should leave him with barrel between 23 and 24 inches.  That is his plan this week.

When you look at the velocity gain between the 6.5-284, and the 6.5x55 there is not a big gain.  Loading data for the 6.5x55 is held to standards suitable for very old military actions.  Many think it is okay to load the old 45-70 round to different standards depending on the action.

I would not go beyond a recommend load for my Swede M96.   

[Coyote Hunter]

Siskiyou -

Nothing wrong with the 6.5x55, but since he has a long action why not go with the 6.5mm-06 and take full advantage of the action length?  Better yet, go with the 6.5mm-06AI as I’m doing with an Interarms Mark X action.  The AI has a couple of advantages, including higher velocity, but the primary advantage for me is the formed cases will not fit in a standard XX-06 chamber, be it .25, 6.5mm, .270, .280, .30 or whatever.  (I plan to use .25-06 brass as it is cheaper than properly headstamped 6.5mm-06 or 6.5mm-06AI brass and it is easier to form than when using larger caliber XX-06 brass.)

Regarding load pressures, the MKII Ruger actions are regularly chambered for 54,000 CUP cartridges like the .25-06.  When I start developing my 6.5mm-06AI loads I’ll probably end up at 52-53,000 CUP and would likely do the same for a standard 6.5mm-06.  The higher pressure an dlarger case capacity should yield significantly higher velocities than a 6.5x55 held to SAAMI's 46,000 CUP.

[AtlLaw]

go with the 6.5mm-06AI as I’m doing

Hey 'Yote, did you compare the 6.5/06AI's ballistics with the 264 Hawk?    I 'spose I could look them up myself, but I'm a busy man... bein a gov't employee and all... 

[Siskiyou]

Coyote Hunter:

Brother#2 is a severely addicted wildcatter.  He has a 256 Newton, which in real life is a 6.5-06, along with a 6.5-257 Roberts IA, setting next to a 6.5x55 Winchester M70 Featherweight, and the list goes on. Oops, I forgot the 6.5-250 Savage IA. 

He has it bad!  He has a 6mm-284 on a Remington action.  Apparently he has no feeding problems with this combination.

 I suspect that he has the new .270 Win. barrel that he took off the action.

The wind could blow from another direction and he would be ordering a new 6.5-06 barrel tomorrow, or a new wonder 6.5 with a 27 ½ degree shoulder on 280 Remington case will catch his attention and the cycle will start over.

I happen to like the 6.5-06 from a performance and keeping it simple concept.  The action started out, as a .270 Winchester and feeding the 6.5-06 should not be a problem.  If he switches to the 6.5x55 will the bolt need opening up?  I do not the answer.

Hopefully he gets it worked out.  He has a $300 custom stainless steel barrel on an action that is not feed his rounds.  I suspect he has paid his gunsmith more then that.  Putting two and two together I am starting to understand why he was opening up the barrel channel on an old Remington BDL stock the other day for a slightly heavier barrel profile.  That old action stands a good chance of becoming the home to his 6.5-284 barrel. 

Admittedly my logic board does not work the same as his, and I have kept to standard calibers.