6.5-284 feeding from mag in R77mkII

[benchracer]

If I were to build a 6.5-284 Norma on a Ruger 77mkII, formerly chambered in 30-06, what modifications would need to be made to ensure that the 6.5-284 cartridges would feed properly?

[roper]

Only one that I know of.  Ruger mades a follower for the long action in 6.5x55/284 Brownell's has them in stock @ $11.59 listed under M-77 MK II Standard part # 780-001-237AC.   Funny you should mention that as I just ordered one for a new 284 that I'm planning on a ruger action  getting everything ready to drop off at the gunsmith.  With that long action you won't have any problems with the 6.5x284 Norma OAL of 3.310" I'm doing the same with the 284 having it throated longer.  good luck

[Graybeard]

I'm no gunsmith but I'd not bet that's all that's needed. The .284 Winchestser case is basically a beltless H&H Mag case shortened and with a rebated rim so the case head remains the same as the '06 and .308 based rounds.

It's a short fat magnum and the width of the magazine box and feed rails do need to be altered appropriately when you change drastically the diameter of the case being fed thru the rifle from what it came from the factory using.

Making that happen so it feeds properly is a trick many gunsmiths seem not to have learned even tho they might handle all other aspects of the conversion process well. From what I've read many a custom rifle comes to the customer failing to feed rounds from the magazine but otherwise seemingly just perfect.

[benchracer]

I seem to remember reading somewhere about a formula that one can use, based on case dimensions, to determine the correct feed geometry for a given rifle.  But, for the life of me, I can't remember where I read that.  Once upon a time I also remember seeing a template for sale for use in opening mauser frame rails for magnum cartridges.  Ditto for that-- I don't remember where I saw that either.

Thanks, roper, for the information on the necessary follower.  Let me know how your build works out.

Graybeard, you and I are thinking along the same lines.  I am concerned about going to the trouble and expense of having my rifle built, only to have an action that won't feed my chosen cartridge.  Before going that route, I would want to have an understanding of what is needed to ensure smooth feeding or, at least, know a gunsmith with enough skill and experience to do the necessary work.

[roper]

benchracer, Getting the Norma 6.5x284 to feed hasn't ever been a big problem  Ruger,Browing,Win all made magazine feed rifles chamber for the 284  and for the Rem action you can get a Wyatt magazine/follower for the 284 case.   Ruger has a different way of doing things than most they have 6 sizes for magazine box sizes for the standard MK II  one size for the 223 one for the 243/308,one for the 22-250,one for the 220 Swift,one for the 7mag,300mag,338mag and one for all the other calibers
7-08,6mm,257robert,7x57,270,280,6.5x55,30-06.  So they make alot of different follower unlike Rem their 22-250 follower works  up to the 308. 

I agree on some action you may have to work the feed rails my 6.5x284 rifle is picture on Bryant Custom rifles in his photo gallery and here a brief on that rifle that I copied "Winchester 70, Action has been trued, Chambered For the 6.5-284 .290 Neck. Hart barrel, pillar bedded into the McMillan HTG stock by Bryant Custom. Barreled action has Been black teflon coated. Bryant side discharge muzzle brake,Jewell Trigger."  As I write this that rifle is going to be my new 280AI and it feed's fine with that case in fact I was going to build my 284 on that rifle got talked out of it.

Alot forget that the Norma 6.5x284 has and OAL of 3.310" vs the 2.800" for the standard 284 case.  One fo the early custom builders  made his name on the 284 case in a reapter rifle that was Mel Forbes of the New Ultra Light rifles here a clip on his rifle
"built upon an intermediate length action. It is designed for exceptional accuracy with .308 class cartridges, yet maintains an extremely light weight. The action weighs a modest 20 ounces, and the finished rifle is only 5 pounds. Featuring a 3- inch magazine, the Ultimate Mountain rifle is available in all .308 length calibers, including .243 Winchester, 6mm Remington, .257 Roberts, 7mm-08, and .284. A 3 inch magazine is featured to allow extra versatility during load development. "

I hear all kinds of things like the WSM does feed I own 3 of them never had a problem and the one thing about the 284 case it has a long history of being shot out of magaizne feed rifles.  One of the famous 284 was a Browning bolt action owned by 
John Connally, Governor of Texas  it was sold at his estate sale.

[benchracer]

Thanks, roper, for the reassurance.  I personally have no experience with any .284 based cartridge, so I admit to being a bit skittish.  I think that I will obtain some .284 cases and make up some dummy rounds to test.  That, along with the follower from Brownells, should tell me what I need to know.

Part of my concern lies in the fact that the Ruger long action has a shorter magazine than some of the other long actions.  I have seen quite a few folks online with 6.5-284 rifles built on Remington 700 long actions.  They seem to have no feed issues.  But, they are not controlled feed actions.  Also, I wonder if the extra length available in the magazine helps to smooth feeding.

At any rate, this is all new territory for me, so I am being cautious-- perhaps, overly so.  I don't know anything for sure about this cartridge.  All I have to go on, at this point, is what I hear and read from the experiences of others.  I want to make sure that I think this through and get my rifle together properly the first time around.  Thanks for helping me along. 

[benchracer]

Update:  Ordered the follower from Brownell's, installed it in my rifle, and tested it with dummy rounds loaded to max possible length.  Dummy rounds fed smoothly from a full magazine and all the way to the last round.  I sent the rifle off to Krieger to be re-barreled the next day.

roper, thanks, again for your advice!  I can't wait to shoot my 6.5-284!

[gunnut69]

One of the strengths of the pressed steel magazine boxes is their ability to be modified to feed other rounds..

[roper]

Update:  Ordered the follower from Brownell's, installed it in my rifle, and tested it with dummy rounds loaded to max possible length.  Dummy rounds fed smoothly from a full magazine and all the way to the last round.  I sent the rifle off to Krieger to be re-barreled the next day.

roper, thanks, again for your advice!  I can't wait to shoot my 6.5-284!

 

I'm glad it work out and you'll be happy with the 6.5x284 keep us all post on it.