6.5x284 Tejas

[linuxfreak003]

I'm thinking about getting a long range gun that will be cheap to shoot (compared to my 338 LM).
I'm thinking of going in the direction of a 6.5mm like the 6.5x284 Norma or maybe a 6.5x284 Tejas. I'm just wondering what everyone else's thoughts are on that. Also I'm wondering if I got a savage 6.5x284 norma if it would be possible to rechamber it to a Tejas.
Thanks.

 

[6.5shaggy]

A re-chamber on a Savage would be a snap.

 

[supercrossbmx69]

I would look into a .308. You can take it out and shoot it all day long and once you learn how to shoot a .308 consistently at 1000 yards or more, getting behind you lapua and shooting to 1000 and beyond would be relatively easy... I say a .308 because the barrels last forever pretty much, but a 6.5x284 would be cheap to load for, but they only last in the 1000 round range before you need a new barrel....

 

[Michael Courtney]

I would look into a .308. You can take it out and shoot it all day long and once you learn how to shoot a .308 consistently at 1000 yards or more, getting behind you lapua and shooting to 1000 and beyond would be relatively easy... I say a .308 because the barrels last forever pretty much, but a 6.5x284 would be cheap to load for, but they only last in the 1000 round range before you need a new barrel....

A 6.5x.284 might open up to 3/4 MOA after 1000 rounds or so, but at 1000 yards, it is almost all about reading the wind, and you'll still get lots of practice at that.

Shooting a .308 at 1000 is a square peg in a round hole. Yes, it can be done, but it's not a good fit. 1000 yard guns shoot bullets with a BC of .5 or .6 or higher at 2900+ FPS.

 

[supercrossbmx69]

A 6.5x.284 might open up to 3/4 MOA after 1000 rounds or so, but at 1000 yards, it is almost all about reading the wind, and you'll still get lots of practice at that.

Shooting a .308 at 1000 is a square peg in a round hole. Yes, it can be done, but it's not a good fit. 1000 yard guns shoot bullets with a BC of .5 or .6 or higher at 2900+ FPS.

He's not looking for a 1000 yard gun, he's looking for something to practice with that's cheaper then his lapua. I'm not saying a .308 will outshoot a 6.5x284 at 1000 yards, I'm saying the barrel would last much longer and it's more then "can be done". I know many people that use .308s for 1000 yard class shooting. No it's not the best 1000 yard caliber but neither is the 6.5x284. In my opinion, the .308 would be a better caliber to practice with because it's not easy to shoot consistanly at longer rangers, so you learn as you go.

Wasn't trying to start a debate, just trying to help the man out.

 

[Greyfox]

Several years ago I bought a 6.5x284 Norma for pretty much the same reason. It ended up being my favorite and most used long range cartridge. The Savage is an accurate and affordable rig. I have had one for a few years and it is a solid .25-.5MOA performer at long range. I have no experience with the Tejas, but being based on the 8mm Rem case, it should be no issue to convert if you want more velocity.

 

[shortgrass]

He's not looking for a 1000 yard gun, he's looking for something to practice with that's cheaper then his lapua. I'm not saying a .308 will outshoot a 6.5x284 at 1000 yards, I'm saying the barrel would last much longer and it's more then "can be done". I know many people that use .308s for 1000 yard class shooting. No it's not the best 1000 yard caliber but neither is the 6.5x284. In my opinion, the .308 would be a better caliber to practice with because it's not easy to shoot consistanly at longer rangers, so you learn as you go.

Wasn't trying to start a debate, just trying to help the man out.

There are a whole bunch of people who will disagree that the 6.5mmX.284 isn't a 1000yd rifle. Have the barrel Melonite/Black Nitrided and it'll last much longer. If you want to shoot at 1000yds. you need to practice to 1000yds. Barrels are an expendable,,, pay your money and accept your caliber choice. If you want one that'll last forever buy a .22 LR.

 

[supercrossbmx69]

There are a whole bunch of people who will disagree that the 6.5mmX.284 isn't a 1000yd rifle. Have the barrel Melonite/Black Nitrided and it'll last much longer. If you want to shoot at 1000yds. you need to practice to 1000yds. Barrels are an expendable,,, pay your money and accept your caliber choice. If you want one that'll last forever buy a .22 LR.

I'm trying to figure out why you quoted me, I read my post 15 times and no where in there did I say "the 6.5x284 inst a 1000 yrd rifle". Yes I understand if you want to shoot 1000 yards, you have to practice at 1000 yards, that's why I stated if you can get a .308 to shoot consistently to 1000 yards, getting behind your lapua would be relatively easy at that distance.

Have you tested the melonite treatment process for yourself? Because I have only talked to one guy that got 4 of his rifles melonited, and he feels he wasted his money.

 

[linuxfreak003]

I'm not really looking for something that will continue shooting forever. I am mainly wanting something that will be good for long range accuracy, but cheap to shoot. I wouldn't mind something like a .22 mag, but it doesn't have the range I want to be able to get out of it. Looking at prices the 6.5x284 seemed to be the cheapest longest range.... well, it seemed to have the best balance of the two. I was thinking something that can be used as a hunting cartridge for the kids(which doesn't need a long hunting range... I already have a rifle for that), but can also hit a target at 1000yrds+.

One of the main things I was wondering was if you can re-chamber a barrel, which was the first thing answered Interesting to know everyone's take on it though too.

 

[shortgrass]

I'm trying to figure out why you quoted me, I read my post 15 times and no where in there did I say "the 6.5x284 inst a 1000 yrd rifle". Yes I understand if you want to shoot 1000 yards, you have to practice at 1000 yards, that's why I stated if you can get a .308 to shoot consistently to 1000 yards, getting behind your lapua would be relatively easy at that distance.

Have you tested the melonite treatment process for yourself? Because I have only talked to one guy that got 4 of his rifles melonited, and he feels he wasted his money.

You said, "the .308 isn't the best 1000yd cartridge but neither is the 6.5mmX.284. At any distance past 600yds. the 6.5mm X .284 will out preform the .308 Win. by very wide margines. Ask me how I know. Been there,, done that. Funny, but David Tubbs keeps winning the nationals with his 6mmXC. I wouldn't want to shoot elk with it, but its a hell of a target round and every bit as effective as the .308 at compairable ranges. Until you step up to the .300 Win Mag or larger .30 cals or on up to the .338s the 6.5mm get it done, and done very well at that. It has the BCs and velocity for that distance. As for the Melonite/Black Nitride process,, I've been using it on my own high intensity builds and many more on builds for customers for 5+ years now with nothing but positive results. When properly broke-in before treating and properly cleaned after treating barrel life is increased considerably, say for example from 1000rds. to 1500rds.+. Just ask any 1000yd. "gong smacker", the 6.5 x .284 is a round to be reckoned with on the firing line. Don't bother to bring the .308 as it'll be completely out-classed at that distance.

 

[Wachsmann]

just to chime in on this...The 6.5 is not really cheap for as other ammo goes. The cost of brass is about like buying weatherby brass. After that initial hump then it may be cheap. A 308 would be much cheaper to shoot I would think. Both will do the 1000 yards but one shoots a lot flatter has better BC's. I have the 6.5 and love it. I'm not nocking the tejas rounds but I think it would be more in the long run if you are having to fire form brass unless it possible to just resize the brass. Or if it is custom brass than its a whole different game. After looking at the 6.5 tejas velocity I would think it will cost more per round than the 6.5x284 norma, but it would have some smoken speed out of the 140VLD's. I would think the barrel will also wear out a lot faster as well. Just my 2$.

 

[davkrat]

I'd vote again for the .308 or similar cartridge. Even a .243 or .260 would probably be a good cheap paper puncher and light hunting rifle and not likely to burn up barrels. For a reloader components should be comparable to a .308

Like was said shooting a pig of a round at distance makes the more dedicated long range chamberings seem like laser beams. A .22 at 200 yards in a slight breeze will teach you a lesson as will a .308 at 500 yards.

 

[Truc]

Target shooting and hunting are two different things, for comp you want low recoil rounds so you can get back on target quickly.
a 6 BR or Dasher is a great round and relatively cheap to shoot, until it gets windy then go for a 7mm. the 7 SAUM or 284 are good rounds that do both but recoil is creeping up. Put a brake on it and my wife shoots my SAUM and doesn't feel a thing.
The 7mm's put the 6.5's to shame in the wind.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

I contemplated the OP's question for quite a while myself. I wanted something that I could "practice" with that would considerably outlast the bore life of my 6.5WSM, something that wouldn't leave me feeling a little sore after a long day on the range like my .338RUM...


I picked up the 6.5 Creedmoor... Just another thought.


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