264 mag vs 6.5x284

[NHGriff]

I tried searching for this but nothing was coming up. I think there may be something wrong with the way I'm searching.

Anyway, I was dead set on the 6.5 but then someone mentioned that I would get the same bullet availability and better ballistics with the .264.​

Any opinions???

 

[roninflag]

you can get a factory remington sendero in 264; in order to have a 6.5-284 you have to rebarrel a 25-06. the 264 does give more velocity. the 6.5 bullets really have sucha high bc the the higher velocity is not necessary. both rounds are great.

 

[liltank]

You can buy a 6.5x284 through Savage. You'll probably get a few more hundred rounds through the 284/

Savage Arms Firearms > 111 Long Range Hunter

Savage Arms Firearms > 12 Bench Rest

These would be my options. If you are benching or very short walks, the bench gun would work nicely. The LRH111 would be the way to go for a carry gun.

Tank

 

[SomeRumbum]

Sendero,264 mag is best with 120-130 grain bullets. Lots of loads for this. use slower powders RE 25 etc. You can shoot 140s but they really need a 8.5 twist or faster. 9 twist in Sendero not optimal. Get a Sendero. you will not be unhappy.

 

[NHGriff]

I really like the Savage but I can't seem to find the 111 LRH model. I think it will be on back order for a while. I did find an interesting article by Chuck Hawks that compared the 284 to the 6.5 rem.

He basically was stating that for hunting the Remington cartridge was better due to reliable feeding and for single feeding on the bench the 284 would be better. I guess due to a sharper shoulder the feed would not be as smooth?

Anyone shoot both of these?

 

[bullfrog]

I have both. I use the 264 win mag for hunting big game (deadly with low recoil) and the 6.5/284 for target/varmint shooting. Ruger and Remington have made 264 win mag sporters within the last 2 years and they are easy to find new on gunbroker. The 6.5/284 heavy barrel target Savage looks like the ticket for a factory gun in this caliber. I had my 6.5/284 made up before you could buy an off the shelf rifle. Love both cartridges for their intended uses. I think you'll be happy with either one.

 

[NHGriff]

Both Ruger and Remington list their rifles with 1-9" twist. Will that be fast enough to stabilize a 140 grain bullet?

 

[SomeRumbum]

Stability and accuracy are two different things. I did not get the 142 smks, 140 bergers or 130+ grain match bullets to shoot great. 140 amax and 140 smks probably would work. However, I have found that 120 grain ballistic tips at high velocity work better, shoot flatter and are better at long range. I have a barrel from Krieger in 8,5 twist fluted, stainless that will go on this gun when worn out.

 

[bullfrog]

The 140gr Hornady Interlocks shoot spectacularly (1/2" or better) in my factory Ruger with the 1 in 9 twist. The 140 Nosler partitions seemed to stabilize fine but would only shoot 1.25" groups in my rifle. The only thing I've tried that wouldn't stabilize are the 140gr Barnes XLC bullets. These things are like spears and I think they no longer make 'em.

 

[Aldon]

The brass and reloading might also be deciding factors.

Depends on whether the belt concerns you and your brass availability and quality.

I would note that with the 6.5 - .284, Lapua brass is available. And no belt to worry about one way or the other.

Of course, for some this issue is a non issue.

 

[fireroad]

you can get a factory remington sendero in 264; in order to have a 6.5-284 you have to rebarrel a 25-06. the 264 does give more velocity. the 6.5 bullets really have sucha high bc the the higher velocity is not necessary. both rounds are great.

Pardon my ignorance but why would you need a long action (25-06) for a short action caliber (6.5-284)?

 

[Greywolf18]

Pardon my ignorance but why would you need a long action (25-06) for a short action caliber (6.5-284)?

I could be mistaken, but I beleive that some people will say to go with the long action to allow room for the longer, high BC bullets like VLD's. I could be wrong though, but that's what I was told before. Then again, I'm new to this and wouldn't know if they were lying to me

 

[liltank]

I could be mistaken, but I beleive that some people will say to go with the long action to allow room for the longer, high BC bullets like VLD's. I could be wrong though, but that's what I was told before. Then again, I'm new to this and wouldn't know if they were lying to me

That is the very reason people put it on a LA. The long bullets aren't seated that deep in the casing when they are loaded rounds. Because of the OAL of a loaded round, they prefer the LA to use the magazine that allows for that length. Now if it was a single round rifle, then that thought is negated. A SA would work just fine for single feed.

Tank

 

[bullfrog]

The 6.5/284 NORMA specs call for a longer OAL than a short action magazine can handle. They did this to allow the long bullets to be seated out further. So if you want to load the magazine with factory ammo you will need a long action.