6.5x284 Norma for BR Shooting & Deer Hunting

C

cbhester

New member
I've had a thread going for a few days now entitled "7mm Ultra Mag Opinions" where I have received lots of good opinions and advice. I am now entertaining the idea of purchasing a 6.5x284 Norma which has interested me for some time now. I have been wanting to get into long range bench rest shooting (for fun, not competition) but I don't really have the cash to be buying a good BR rifle and a deer rifle (I sold my last deer rifle at the end of last season) so I am looking to maybe find one to use for both.

I do hand load my ammo, but I think $ is still an issue with the 6.5x284.

First of all, is there any reason that I'm not aware of that the 6.5x284 isn't suitable for deer hunting?

I'm looking at the Savage Long Rarnge Hunter that comes in 6.5x284 as well as 6.5 Creedmoor. From the ballistics that I have seen, the 284 seems to be a little faster than the Creedmoor. The 284 in the Savage LRH has a 26" barrel and a 1:8 twist. Is this good? I am not well informed on what twist best fits what needs and calibers, etc.

Second of all, does anyone recommend a different 6.5mm round other than the 284 or creedmoor and if so, why?

Thanks again for all of the help in the last thread!
 
Since you said you stand hunt only in the other thread, the 6.5-284 would be a great choice to hunt and turn around a shoot your 1000 yd targets with.

You keep bringing up handloading costs for this chambering and I'm wondering what you found. Bullets, powder, and primers wouldn't cost any more than for anything else. I see Midway's price on Lapua brass is a little bit more for 6.5-284 than for some others but that price diff gets spread over several loadings. So is that difference really prohibitive?
 
You keep bringing up handloading costs for this chambering and I'm wondering what you found. Bullets, powder, and primers wouldn't cost any more than for anything else. I see Midway's price on Lapua brass is a little bit more for 6.5-284 than for some others but that price diff gets spread over several loadings. So is that difference really prohibitive?
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I see that a box of 100 brass by remington in .270 win is $47 and a box of 100 brass by lapua in 6.5x284 is $121. Also the bullets are $44.99/100 where the .270 bullets are $28/100. You are correct that the brass expense would be spread out over hopefully 8-10 loadings, maybe more, but that is still a considerable difference to me. However, I think I might decide to go with the 6.5x284 despite the inherit cost issue.

Again, does anyone have opinions on the Savage Long Range Hunter in the 6.5x284? Any opinions on the barrel length (26") and twist rate (1:8) for the non-competition long range (1000+ yrds) shooting I plan to do?
 
Comparing Remington and Lapua brass isn't exactly apples to apples. I couldn't find 270 in Lapua but did see 30-06. For 100 rds. it's $119. Not far from $121. Also Sierra MK in 270 is $30 per hundred. Sierra MK in 6.5 is $34 per hundred. I'm not trying to argue just pointing out if you are going to shoot the 1000 yd deal you probably would want to use match quality components. I know I would.
 
As far as the rifle is concerned I looked at the F Class. 30" barrel and same twist rate. I'm sure it was designed to launch those long 140 grainers so the twist on the Long Range Hunter should do the same.
 
I believe Savage also chambers the 6.5X284 Norma in the Predator Max rifle as well. Those are nice rifles. My neighbor just recently bought the 12 LRP in 6.5 Creedmore and its a nice rifle, heavy, but very sharp looking.
 
Comparing Remington and Lapua brass isn't exactly apples to apples
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Your right, I was just comparing the lapua match quality to what I have been used to buying for my last .270 and my 220 swift, but I definatly see your point. I can buy the cheaper stuff to use when I'm hunting, etc but I def. need the higher quality components when attempting to shoot long range.

Thanks again for all the replies, keep em' coming guys, I would like to get some more input on this particular rifle from a few more people before I decide to spend the money. So far I think ive received good advice from people who know more than I do so hopefully that will continue.
 
Slightly related story.........

Back early summer I was at the Cabela's in Billings. Clearnce rack had an F Class in 6.5-284 for $999. Lowest I had seen them was about $1225. I left and went strait to my favorite LGS in Billings (Big Daddy's) and told them what I had found and what could they do? Best price from them was $1150. Went back to Cabela's and that sucker was long gone....Oh well.....
 
I have been wanting to get into long range bench rest shooting (for fun, not competition) but I don't really have the cash to be buying a good BR rifle and a deer rifle (I sold my last deer rifle at the end of last season) so I am looking to maybe find one to use for both.
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What is your budget? Not a lot of cash will severly limit your options.

If you want a new off the shelf rifle for benchrest and hunting here is what I'd build.

Savage Long Range Hunter .260 Remington cheaper brass vs. the Creedmoor and 6.5x284 will save on powder as well vs. the 6.5x284, retails around $1000
EGW 20 MOA base $45
Leupold or Warne quick release rings Weaver or Picatinny style $50
Weaver Grand Slam Tactical 3-10X40 currently $399 but watch Midway they have been selling them for $299 on a regular basis. I bought this scope after reading the reviews on Midway and Sniper Central for $299 plus had a $20 off coupon. Bad deal is this scope is only available through Midway. If you are going to pay $400 for a scope I'd get the Vortex Viper 6.5-20X44 instead of the Weaver.

So you are looking at least $1500 if you pay full price for everything I just listed. You can go even cheaper if you go with a different rifle and get a heavy barreled Savage model 10 in .243 Win. It has a fast enough twist to stabalize the 105 A-Max and Nosler Custom Competition bullet and you can get to 1K with that at the range.
 
My budget is around $1,200. I have a price on the Savage LRH in 6.5x284 at a local gun shop for around $750, and I already have a Nikon 6.5-20 x 44 scope to put on it.

Is there anyone who can tell me if the 6.5x284 is the best round for long range shooting or is there another 6.5mm that is more popular and/or better?
 
All the 6.5's are popular for long range shooting. You'll be fine if you decide on the 6.5X284 it has been winning for a while at long range. Do a search for what Zak Smith wirtes up here on the forums his favorite seems to be the .260 Remington.
 
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