6.5 long action hunting rifle opinions

[Litehiker]

I both compete and hunt with the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge. Adequate for my purposes including elk within 300 yards using 147 gr. bullets.

BUT... for a larger 6.5 cartridge I would stay with the 6.5/214 due to its proven accuracy and availability of factory ammo for hunting.
Yes, the 6.5/284 is a "barrel burner" but hunting rifles are seldom shot more than 500 rounds in any owners lifetime so your barrel is safe.

Going larger (and faster) than the 6.5/284 is unnecessary and the greater recoil of the even bigger 6.5 cartridges makes it more difficult to see impact and miss indicators.

Eric B.

 

[CaptnC]

.Going larger (and faster) than the 6.5/284 is unnecessary and the greater recoil of the even bigger 6.5 cartridges makes it more difficult to see impact and miss indicators.

Eric B.

Eric, while I agree there is some increase in recoil the 264wm is very gentle for a magnum.

I own many of the 6.5 herd, the barrel for my 5th 6.5 arrives today.

I have several magnum calibers above the 264wm that are not much fun to shoot, the 264wm is the ***** cat of the magnums.

From a prone position I can see bullet impacts at 600yds quit easily.

My 6.5X284 is one of my best shooters, but if I planned to shoot elk size game my 264wm would get the call!

 

[Riflehunter1776]

I stuck with the 6.5-284, and amazingly the rifle is finished already. I just picked it up tonight. 2 weeks to build 2 custom rifles (the other was a 270). That's the fastest turn around time ever

 

[lancetkenyon]

I did load development for a buddy's Sendero in .264WM....should do very nicely. 130 HVLD @ 3210fps.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I stuck with the 6.5-284, and amazingly the rifle is finished already. I just picked it up tonight. 2 weeks to build 2 custom rifles (the other was a 270). That's the fastest turn around time ever

We must have the same smith... Mine is the same way.

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

I built a 6.5-284 for myself--my brother shoots a 264 win mag and with a 25 in barrel does a lot of things very well...I'd go that direction if I had to choose now.

Ed

 

[Barrelnut]

I stuck with the 6.5-284, and amazingly the rifle is finished already. I just picked it up tonight. 2 weeks to build 2 custom rifles (the other was a 270). That's the fastest turn around time ever

Nice! Keep us posted on how they shoot!

 

[RevJim]

I stuck with the 6.5-284, and amazingly the rifle is finished already. I just picked it up tonight. 2 weeks to build 2 custom rifles (the other was a 270). That's the fastest turn around time ever

Gosh, that's fast! What is your rifle maker's name, etc.? My smith recently retired and his protégé is slooooow. ha

 

[Riflehunter1776]

Gosh, that's fast! What is your rifle maker's name, etc.? My smith recently retired and his protégé is slooooow. ha

Clarence Hammond in York, PA

 

[RevJim]

Thanks. Just looked at his website, good stuff!

 

[Tidus56]

Gosh, that's fast! What is your rifle maker's name, etc.? My smith recently retired and his protégé is slooooow. ha

My barrel maker took 7 months on three barrels I ordered at the same time. Talk about so slow

 

[Canhunter35]

As for barrel life - they tell me that if you don't shoot it hot at the range - and clean it regularly - you will easily exceed the 1,000 rounds that is usually kicked around for Weatherby's barrel life.

My 257wby barrel accuracy went around 950rds, good luck getting there with a 6.5-300. You will also struggle with c.o.a.l in a vanguard action and the 6.5-300. Consider a new dbm to get the mag length to 3.7"

 

[Litehiker]

I think HARPERC said it best when he said the 6.5/284 is at "...right the crossroads of being enough-without being too much.", as in too much recoil and to much of a barrel burner. But still with great accuracy - in a good rifle, that is.

Eric B.

 

[CaptnC]

Your right Eric...he makes a good point...to my knowledge no one has a 6.5x284 Ackley Improved or has mentioned needing one...on a standard bolt face it is the sweet heart of the 6.5 family.

Hard to improve on that chambering!

I do push my 6.5-06 faster than my 6.5x284...but then guys are doing the AI thing to the 6.5-06...in the ever constant...need for speed!