Savage 6.5x284 Lightweight hunter?

Blowing Smoke · May 7, 2011

Howdy I'm looking at buying my nephew one of the new Savage lightweight rifles in 6.5x284 these rifles are equipped with a 20" barrel. What kind of velocity do you think a 20" barrel are possible with 130 and 140 grain bullets. Thanks for your input and time.

backwoods83 · May 7, 2011

Not a very practical caliber for a younger shooter especially if you don't reload. Also I'm a big savage fan but the whole lightweight/short/pencil barrel is not a good choice for a 6.5x284 it will almost drag it down to 260 rem levels and the barrel won't last long. You will be hard pressed to get 2850 with a 140grn. If your set on a 6.5x284 you may wanna take a look at the 110 predator hunter instead.

cornstalker · May 8, 2011

Yep, I'd have to agree. In fact, I think 2850 might be out of reach. I'd guess 2700 to 2750 with a 140. IIRC, Savage has various offerings in 6.5-284 that seem to be at 2" barrel intervals from 20" on up. I'd start at 24" and go up from there.

If you are buying the rifle to be a lightweight hunting only rig, I would look at the 16FHSS in 270 WSM. It's only 6.9 lbs.

cfvickers · May 10, 2011

With a 20 inch barrel, I would go with a .260 or better yet 6.5x55 velocity will be nearly identical with less powder burned. You may get 50-100 fps difference with the 6.5-284 but the cartridge requires 24 inches of barrel to be of any benefit. 26 to make it shine.

Cory Bache · Dec 6, 2017

Sad that you gentlemen steered blowing smoke from purchasing that rifle on feelings and hear say. I have that rifle along with the long range hunter. My lightweight hunter is very accurate, light and pack-able. Shooting 140 VLD's, 54 gr. MagPro @2910fps.

Greyfox · Dec 6, 2017

I'd expect 2900FPS with the 140's. 3000-3050FPS with the 130's. The 130 Berger Hybrids running at 2950-3000FPS would make for an effective, light recoiling hunting load that would match up nicely with the light weight Savage.

Savage 6.5x284 Lightweight hunter?

Blowing Smoke

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backwoods83

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cornstalker

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cfvickers

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Cory Bache

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Greyfox

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