What's the best way to get a 6.5x284.?
I think the 6.5x284 may be my best bet for a long range rifle-whitetails to 400 yds (After a lot of practice), varmints as far as possible, and targets to 1000 yds. Is there any production rifle in this caliber? I wouldn't try to do the work myself, but I've got a couple of mauser actions available for a project including a Turkish 38 and a Swedish 96 that is already drilled and tapped and has a bent bolt (It was that way when I bought it-this for collectors). Does anybody have any suggestions as to how to get the best results for the best price?
I see there are at least a couple of different chamber sizes (Win. and Norma) for this caliber and haven't yet figured out the ins and outs of which size to go with.
I see there are at least a couple of different chamber sizes (Win. and Norma) for this caliber and haven't yet figured out the ins and outs of which size to go with.
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ERShaw's for the metal work, Boyd's JRS Classic laminate stock. 0 -
Select a quality gunsmith and use the barrel they suggest (Shilen Lilja Pac-nor Kreager etc). Stocks are open to your taste, but if your thinking about using a bipod make sure you select one that won't flex under the weight of the barrel.
Now if you enjoy trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, and like being abused by some of the worst customer service people in the industry, go with the E.R.Shaw suggestion.
If you need a reasonably priced top gunny, send me a note and I'll give you the contact information mine.
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
Shaw's isn't so bad, just very slow. Every barrel of theirs that I've had anything to do with shot minute of angle when properly set up. I read the request for best results at best price to mean that he isn't likely to want to get involved with the nickle and dime process of building a voonderifle. If he's patient and halfway compentent with minor handtools he can get close to what he is asking for with Shaw's. Otherwise think expensive, and then halfway thru the project rethink expensiver. My only concern is that neither of his actions are really what I'd want to start such a project with. Maybe the Turk, but I'd prefer a Yugo 24/47 or 48. 0 -
The actions you've mentioned are a little on the old side and not meant for the pressures you'll be running up with the 6.5-284. I'd recommend a good 98K or 1917 Enfield action if using ex-military. Otherwise, look for a Remchester or Ruger action to modify.
Have a 6mm-294 that was recently rebarreled and chambered for a sporterized (note for collectors) 1917 Enfield. The work was done by David Van Horn in Gilbert, Az. using one of his custom made barrels. Shoots sub MOA and I'm well pleased with it.
With the large diameter of the .284 Win case, you may have a little magazine and feed rail work to get proper feeding. Also, cuts magazine capacity to 4 rounds.
Keep off the Ridgeline0 -
Jim,
I have a couple of simple solutions:
1) Leave the Swede alone and shoot the 6.5x55 which is an exceptional cartridge for hunting. The military chambers are set up so that you can seat modern, heavy (long) bullets quite a ways out and still feed from the magazine. There are terrific .264 hunting bullets to choose from these days.
2) Look into using the 6.5-06 or 6.5-06 Ackley Improved for any of the standard length Mausers. This cartridge and the 6.5x284 are basically identical in volume but different for length and diameter of the case. The difference will be when your gunsmith has to fit and feed the 284 case shape from a standard length box. The -06' case is just about a drop in and takes very little adjustment.
3) If you want to use an intermediate length Mauser, take a peek at the 6.5x57 or the .260 Remington. The x57 is the same parent case as used in the original rifle, 7x57, just necked down to .264". The .260 Rem. is based on the .308 Win. case. Both will do what you need them to do, just not quite as high of a velocity.
Other than that, I like the 6.5x284 for long range shooting. It is a great cartridge when loaded correctly and the shooter gets lots of practice. But I would go with a modern receiver such as mentioned above; Remington, Winchester, Savage, Howa...
Just looking at alternatives.
Best of luck!0 -
Probably about the easiest way for you to get a 6.5x284 would be to contact SharpShooters Supply and have them do you up a 6.5x284 barrel on one of the Savage actions they specialize in! If you already had the Savage rifle, you could have them fit you a 6.5x284 barrel on it for $300.00 or less! Check them out! GHD 0 -
Jim,
I forgot the last part of your question, what the difference is between the two basic chambers (there are more also).
Winchester is the standard since it was first. The OAL is standard for the short magazine; 2.825" with a throat length of 2.4723".
Norma tightened up the base (head) dimension by 0.0015", left the shoulder alone but made the throat length much longer to accommodate the longer VLD Match bullets to 2.5928" and an OAL of 3.228" approximately. Obviously this won't feed from a short magazine as the Winchester version was intended. It has to have a long magazine or be fed single shot. Both cartridges headspace at the same point and the throat angles are the same.
Best.0 -
It seems you are looking for two different rifles. I would stay with the 6.5 X 55 for what you are doing. With a quality heavy sporter you can get reasonable accuracy out to 1000 yds. Just know the ballistics. You probably won't get competition accuracy from it though. You need a competition barrel and competition work to get that. But, are you going to lug a target rifle through thick and thin to hopefully get a shot at a whitetail at 400 yds? Whitetails aren't my specialty but everywhere I've seen them it is usually a "more manouverable" rifle that is needed.
That being said if you want a 1000 yd rifle a 6.5 X 284 is a good way to go. You might be able to pick up a used competition rifle for what you would pay a gunsmith to go through and build you one. The 6.5 X .284 is a .308 length case with a magnum body on top of a #3 base. No major manufacturer makes them right now, they all are hand built as I understand it.
One other choice you might be interested in is a WSSM or WSM. They have the ballistics to get out to 1000 yds and employ the same priciple as the 6.5 X .284, short fat body for quicker and more uniform burning of the powder. -Good Luck.
We have the second amendment so that all the rest are secure....UNK>0 -
Thanks for the information. There's a lot here to think about. FYI from my first talk with SharpShooters Supply it looks like they can put a Douglas premium airgauged barrel on their Savage action for about $600. 0 -
you will be miles ahead of the game to trash that mauser action and go with a rem/win/sav/howa/sako action with a good barrel. Buy a top grade barrel and have it set in a good, trued action. (PacNor, Lilja, Hart, Kreiger, Broughton, Koshtyshin, shilen, schneider, Lothar Walther/Blackstar accumax etc).
why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
Got Balistics?0
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