I have a 6.5x284 Norma that I have done little with it is in a savage weather warrior, I had some loads for it so to the range, it shot MOA no surprise there but the way it shots was, very low recoil ( 140gr bullets ) at 2800fps how many of you use a 6.5 caliber to hunt with, I am going to start this season !!!
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6.5x284 Norma
- Thread starter gw44
- Start date
I confess, I've ignored the 6.5's all of my life. But with the interest in the 6.5 CM I bought a Ruger Predator in the caliber about a year ago just to try the round. All I can say is that the 6.5's live up to the hype. The 6.5X284 does the same thing about 100 fps faster.
I've not spent any real time hunting with the round but I've seen enough 1st hand reports to feel confident that it does everything a 270 does as a hunting cartridge at ranges inside 500 yards. And beats it beyond 500. As a target round it beats 270 and 308 handily. That is farther than I have the skills to shoot, but at "normal" hunting ranges I'd hunt any animal in the lower 48 with any of the 6.5's with good bullets.
My problem is that I have several nicer rifles than the Ruger in other cartridges that work just as well and I simply prefer to use those to hunt with. And at this stage of my life I'm not sure I want to invest the time, money and effort into putting together a "nicer" hunting rifle in another cartridge.
I could hunt with the Ruger, but at this point it is an inexpensive, yet very accurate range toy. But if I were younger, or advising a younger hunter, I'd look very hard at one of the 6.5's as my go-to all around North American cartridge. And I could change my mind about that. The older I get the less I like recoil. I sold a 300 WSM to fund the 6.5 CM purchase and consider the 6.5 an upgrade.
The 260, 6.5X284, 6.5X55, 6.5-06, 26 Nosler, 264 WM and 6.5CM all pretty much accomplish the same thing. Some shoot a little faster and flatter, but even the slowest of those rounds are capable farther than most shooters can shoot. The 6.5 CM is already out selling all others and is the easiest way to get into a 6.5.
I've not spent any real time hunting with the round but I've seen enough 1st hand reports to feel confident that it does everything a 270 does as a hunting cartridge at ranges inside 500 yards. And beats it beyond 500. As a target round it beats 270 and 308 handily. That is farther than I have the skills to shoot, but at "normal" hunting ranges I'd hunt any animal in the lower 48 with any of the 6.5's with good bullets.
My problem is that I have several nicer rifles than the Ruger in other cartridges that work just as well and I simply prefer to use those to hunt with. And at this stage of my life I'm not sure I want to invest the time, money and effort into putting together a "nicer" hunting rifle in another cartridge.
I could hunt with the Ruger, but at this point it is an inexpensive, yet very accurate range toy. But if I were younger, or advising a younger hunter, I'd look very hard at one of the 6.5's as my go-to all around North American cartridge. And I could change my mind about that. The older I get the less I like recoil. I sold a 300 WSM to fund the 6.5 CM purchase and consider the 6.5 an upgrade.
The 260, 6.5X284, 6.5X55, 6.5-06, 26 Nosler, 264 WM and 6.5CM all pretty much accomplish the same thing. Some shoot a little faster and flatter, but even the slowest of those rounds are capable farther than most shooters can shoot. The 6.5 CM is already out selling all others and is the easiest way to get into a 6.5.
I'm a long time fan of all the vehicles for 264 bullets. I started with a 6.5x55, dabbled with a 6.5 Gibbs, 264 Win and 6.5 Rem mag. My brother has a sweet little Browning low wall in 260 Rem and its great also. I currently love the 6.5 Creedmoor, it has proven best for my needs.
6.5 was not only never on my radar, I knew a buy who had a 6.5 Jap and thought it was a joke.
Woe unto me, lo these many years latter (40?) it turns out to be an extremely capable cartridge up to moose size.
And it can reach out to 1000 easily staying super sonic.
Low recoil, effective, I am going to get one just have not made up my mind as to which one (6.5 Creed up to 6.5 Swede)
Woe unto me, lo these many years latter (40?) it turns out to be an extremely capable cartridge up to moose size.
And it can reach out to 1000 easily staying super sonic.
Low recoil, effective, I am going to get one just have not made up my mind as to which one (6.5 Creed up to 6.5 Swede)
8/9 yrs ago I had 6.5x284 Norma build with 294 neck lapua brass. It was more range rifle than hunting, it had 1/8 twist barrel @ 28". I now shoot 284 on long action with 27" barrel and I do hunt with that one and it's long throated.
I like 284 case only reason did something in 6.5 and ran it pretty warm. Not much recoil and I shot it free recoil and I kept dies so may do another and hunt with it.
One of the poster on LRH site is Hammer bullets and he's making 139gr 6.5 so made do something with that one.
Good luck
I like 284 case only reason did something in 6.5 and ran it pretty warm. Not much recoil and I shot it free recoil and I kept dies so may do another and hunt with it.
One of the poster on LRH site is Hammer bullets and he's making 139gr 6.5 so made do something with that one.
Good luck
ndking1126
New member
I jumped on the 6.5 bandwagon about 5 years ago purchasing a 260 Rem Shilen match grade barrel assuming it had beaten out the 6.5 Creedmore. It's my long range rifle and just got a scope upgrade! Very excited to shoot it with that.
For hunting I am really considering having one of my Savages rebarreled to probably 260 Rem since I can reload for it and already have dies, etc. Currently it's a 243 with stock Savage barrel and tupperware stock. It is just as accurate as the 260 Rem, so it's really hard to change the barrel, haha.
For hunting I am really considering having one of my Savages rebarreled to probably 260 Rem since I can reload for it and already have dies, etc. Currently it's a 243 with stock Savage barrel and tupperware stock. It is just as accurate as the 260 Rem, so it's really hard to change the barrel, haha.
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Currently it's a 243 with stock Savage barrel and tupperware stock. It is just as accurate as the 260 Rem, so it's really hard to change the barrel, haha.
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I would shoot the barrel out and then get a Shilen of a Criterion in 6.5 x 285.
Boyds makes great stocks, I like the Laminated one (Thumb Hold in my case)
Best has been the Featherweight despite its on a Bull Barrel 30-06 (all Savage actions)
I do have the target Laminated TH, nice, but does not feel as "right" as the featherweight (06 is a Shilen barre and it shoots the best)
I get a hole lot of compliments on the 3 Savages. Stainless barrel, black receivers.
Laminates are as good as any composite and look better (quite a variety of finishes though I go with wood mostly but a Green one looks pretty neat)
ndking1126
New member
I would shoot the barrel out and then get a Shilen of a Criterion in 6.5 x 285.
RC, not a bad idea and something I've actually considered. I don't see myself ever shooting out a barrel since I don't get to the range very often, but I do like the idea. I agree with you on the Boyd's stock. My next purchase will be one for my 700 chambered in 30-06. Straight comb and a recoil pad. The 243 will get a little attention after that.