6.5-284 or 6.5 Creedmoor

[Dirt_Nap]

I'm looking to build a hunting rifle and I think I narrowed it down between these 2. I will be using it mainly for deer and antelope. I do now want a heavy rifle so I'll be trying to keep it 7-8pounds. I'll be reloading for the caliber I pick so not concerned with availability of factory ammo. Any help would be appreciated

 

[Rick Richard]

These are two very different choices in their capability at long ranges. With that said, I suggest you refer to a ballistics chart and determine the minimum energy level needed at the distances you expect to hunt for deer/antelope.

 

[CaptnC]

Hands down 6.5-284...faster...accurate...more is better.

Just built one my self and it's incredibly good shooting rifle...and I have quite a few 6.5's to compare it to.

I do plan to build a Creedmoor, but not to hunt with, lite recoil steel shooting...unless its a grand kid wants to hunt with it.

 

[Tidus56]

I own both and like both. My creed is a steel banger and so ultra accurate. I find the best accuracy node at 2700 FPS for my creed. On my 6.5x284 I have found the best accuracy at 2900. Both of these rifles shoot a 140 Berger Hybrid. For hunting I would choose the 6.5x284 between the two.

If you're not set on these cartridges consider a 6.5x280 Ackley if you want to stay in the 6.5 caliber. I don't have one, but I want one. The data I have seen is 3200 fps with the 142 ABLR.

 

[Greyfox]

If your intention is to hunt beyond 600 yards you will see a noticeable difference in ithe effectiveness of the 6.5x284.

 

[Dirt_Nap]

If your intention is to hunt beyond 600 yards you will see a noticeable difference in ithe effectiveness of the 6.5x284.

I've never shot an animal over 400 yards...

 

[WeiserBucks]

6.5x284 every day, for hunting purposes. More speed equals more room for error in wind judgment in real field conditions. Accuracy will be good to great with either one . 6.5x284 is , in my opinion, the best 6.5 available for all around hunting use . Better barrel life than the race cars and more power than the Honda's.

 

[CaptnC]

I've never shot an animal over 400 yards...

That could easily change with a 6.5-284

 

[Greyfox]

I've never shot an animal over 400 yards...

If it could ever be your desire to expand to twice(+) that distance, then the 6.5x284 would be the obvious choice.

 

[midnightmalloy]

So first of all the 6.5x284 is superior ballisticly, but you did say you were concerned about weight. I hate to say it but if you want light and a reasonable barrel length you need to spend some money. You can get to your target weight cheaper with a short action and since a 6.5x284 needs a medium or long action you will have to spend more cash to lighten the load somewhere else that you gained from a short to long action. if you are only looking to shoot deer and antelope under 500 yards then both will do a fine job. I shoot a creedmoor and with a 24" barrel, 140 berger hybrids and lapua brass I'm getting around 2850 FPS.

Now if I were to build a dedicated sheep gun, it would be a 6.5x284 or a 6.5 saum on a medium defiance action.

 

[nmbarta]

the difference in the action is a few ounces, take a few ounces off the end of the barrel on 6.5x284, to match the weight of the short action creed, and the 6.5x284 will still put a pretty good spanking on the creed. Point being, you can configure the creed however you want weight wise, and do the same thing to a long action 6.5x284 and make up the weight difference with the barrel, and the 6.5x284 will beat the creed every time. cost, weight, performance, the 6.5x284 equals or wins. The creed wins in barrel life, the 6.5x284 wins in every other way.

 

[Dirt_Nap]

the difference in the action is a few ounces, take a few ounces off the end of the barrel on 6.5x284, to match the weight of the short action creed, and the 6.5x284 will still put a pretty good spanking on the creed. Point being, you can configure the creed however you want weight wise, and do the same thing to a long action 6.5x284 and make up the weight difference with the barrel, and the 6.5x284 will beat the creed every time. cost, weight, performance, the 6.5x284 equals or wins. The creed wins in barrel life, the 6.5x284 wins in every other way.

Thanks for the help!

 

[midnightmalloy]

the difference in the action is a few ounces, take a few ounces off the end of the barrel on 6.5x284, to match the weight of the short action creed, and the 6.5x284 will still put a pretty good spanking on the creed. Point being, you can configure the creed however you want weight wise, and do the same thing to a long action 6.5x284 and make up the weight difference with the barrel, and the 6.5x284 will beat the creed every time. cost, weight, performance, the 6.5x284 equals or wins. The creed wins in barrel life, the 6.5x284 wins in every other way.

So....kind of.

How much barrel are you cutting off to make up the weight difference? Remember that you also have long action bottom metal, box and follower that make up extra weight vs a short action. Total it's over a couple oz. if you look at production rifles in short and long action they are usually 4-10 extra oz. that's a lot of barrel to cut off! Just look at Christensens or Remington website and look at the weight difference between long and short action cartridges in the same barrel length and you will see what I mean.

I definitely agree that the cartridge capabilities in terms of speed goes to the 6.5x284 but if you took a 6.5x284 with a 22" barrel and a 6.5 creedmoor with a 24" barrel they would likely be only 100fps difference or less between the two if you are handloading.

Also to say that it's cheaper to shoot a 6.5x284 than a 6.5 creedmoor is just plain false. Less powder and cheaper brass in the creedmoor along with readily available factory ammo which cannot be said for the 6.5x284.

To say it's cheaper to build is also false since a long action and long action bottom metal that is needed for the 6.5x284 is always more expensive from any manufacturer.

If I had to choose between the two and I had a limited budget and wanted to keep the weight as low as I could it would be the creedmoor. If I were to not have to pinch pennies and could just get what I want then for sure the 6.5x284.

Let's just make sure we are putting out accurate info here.

 

[WeiserBucks]

You can build a very nice rifle, long or short , pretty light , for approximately the same amount of money. My advice is to decide on what bullet you want and work backwards from there , pick the cartridge most appropriate to drive it to your desired speed and surround it with quality components. If you are concerned about a few ounces, hit the gym , not the internet.