I have two 6.5x47s, 1 set up for hunting and 1 for target and wanting to do another build. 6.5x284 or 280AI, wanting to use 143 or 147s in the 6.5 or in the 160gr range for the 280. The setup will be used mostly for long range target shooting and some whitetail hunting with an occasional mulie hunt. I'm aware of the 284s barrel life, just trying to choose the best cartridge. Hunting distance will be up to 700, target to 1500. Load data and opinions will be greatly appreciated!
6.5x284 or 280AI
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J E Custom
Well-Known Member
Both are fine cartridges and will serve you well. the 280 has a little more power and would be my choice but to be fair the 6.5x284 Win is great for targets, and recoil is less. with like bullets the 280 AI will out perform the 6.5x284 but with the bullet choices you mentioned ether will do ok.
Of the two, for longer distances on large game the 280 AI will be best
in My opinion.
J E CUSTOM
Of the two, for longer distances on large game the 280 AI will be best
in My opinion.
J E CUSTOM
I have both calibers with today's bullets you won't be disappointed in either one
Both are excellent cartridges for your intended purpose. I doubt any whitetail could tell the difference, even at extended ranges. I own 3 6.5x284's, used for LRH, and 3 6.5x47's used for competition. My 6.5x284's have accounted for dozens of deer, antelope, and coyotes over the past several years to well past 1000 yards. I really like the Lapua cases in both cartridges, as well as the compatibility with my wide array of 6.5 caliber reloading tools. With the heavy focus of manufacturers on new 6.5 projectiles combined with the high performance propellants, the effectiveness of the 6.5x284 has been greatly enhanced. I recently built a load using the newly introduced Berger 156 EOL, further extending my 6.5x384's capabilities for LR targets and hunting.
KyCarl
Well-Known Member
I went with a 6.5 X 284 because I felt the 280 AI was so close to the 7 MM RM
I already had.
I already had.
What kind of velocities are you getting with the 284 and what powder selection is best?
of velocities
I personally like Retumbo for the 140 class bullets running at 3000FPS. With the more recent heavies like the Berger 156gr Elite Hunter, I can achieve the same 3000FPS using Reloader 26 with excellent accuracy and low ES.
Most of the 6.5x284 barrel life neurosis is overstated, and not much different from most cartridges capable of its performance. I expect about 1500(avg) rounds using a slow burning powder, and not toasting the barrel at every outing. Not much different from its ballistic alternatives used under the same conditions. My primary hunter is going on 10 years, at 1100 rounds. and is still at .25-.5MOA, ES<12FPS. No throat erosion, fire cracking. IMO.
Wachsmann
Well-Known Member
I think the barrel burnout is something of bench rest shooter issues when they see there group open up from something like .2 to .5 or .6 MOA. I'm no bench rest shooter but I like to shoot a lot. I have a 6.5 that I shot 1000s of Berger 140's through and about 300 LRAB. On the last 300 LRAB's my groups opened up a lot. I went back to the Berger's and they were shooting at 1MOA. This was at 4300 to 4400 rounds. I was getting 10 reloads on my Lapua brass and I did not have a good annealing setup. It was more of a drill for spinning the brass and a torch. My rifle shot 1/2 MOA which is were I stopped with the Bergers and sorry to say I never could get the LRAB to shoot well. I haven't replace the barrel yet since I would like to go back with a similar design barrel but currently I haven't found one on the market and the wife has a few projects going on. (Single Income). Really just need to save up for it better. But mine was a 24 inch barrel and for some reason it always showed pressure sooner than most so it kept me in the 2860 to 2880 FPS range on loads but it was my favorite gun to shoot and I cut my teeth on the 1000 yard mark with this rifle. Half MOA loads with ES under 15fps generally kept me at MOA or better at 1000yards. If no wind then it was always better. So that's my take on barrel life for the 6.5X284. Now I want something a little faster or I may go back to the same since RL26 has came out. I just don't want to be at max case pressure and getting injector swipes all the time just to get 2950fps or higher. So I may look at something with a little larger case but I know this will decrease barrel life as well. I think I would like the 6.5 Sherman or standard 6.5X280AI which is close and may not need any fire forming.
