264 mag vs 6.5x284

The 6.5/284 NORMA specs call for a longer OAL than a short action magazine can handle. They did this to allow the long bullets to be seated out further. So if you want to load the magazine with factory ammo you will need a long action.

Ah, I see. Good to know as I plan to build one in the future....if I ever get bored with my .260 :D
 
my f-class rifle is heavy and is a single shot. it was bulit on a short action 700. my sendero in 6.5 -284 was built off of a 25-06. there may be some built off a SA . the bullet would have to be seated way down in the case.
 
If I remember correctly from another thread I read, the 264WM has "a 3% performance gain with 20% more powder" over the 6.5-284. As a handloader it hardly seems worth it. YMMV
 
My experience in 6.5-284 load development is that most of them like 2950 fps +/- with 142 SMKs or 140 Bergers etc. I use 48.5 grains of H4350 to get that. My 264 mag could get them to 3200 fps with 65.0 grains of powder (say RE 25). So the difference is around 8.5% increase in velocity vs. a 34% increase in powder. Tradeoffs. Drop the 264 mag to the same velocity of 2950 fps and the powder required is something like 60 grains...24% increase.

The goals of the shooter come into play. Do you want bughole groups? The advantage would go to 6.5-284...Do you want flatter shooting? that advantage would go to the 264 mag.

Again, most of the high bc match bullets do not like to be pushed too hard. I have had strange results with the 264 mag pushing match bullets of 130 grains and above to high velocities. Drop balls, vaporization, 2 shots in same hole next one 5 inches out type thing.

Still, I really, really like the 264 mag Sendero with 120 grain ballistic tips at 3350 fps. Kenton knob, rocks for 760 yards please.

So my question is, why doesn't Remington wake up and make a 6.5-284 Sendero with an 8 or 8.5 twist?
 
Thanks for all of this discussion guys. This has been very informative. I still think I want to build a 6.5 x 284 next year. I just don't see how I can get one and get a load developed before this years deer season.

So now the question is what rifle would you buy this year to do a 6.5 x 284 build on next year?
 
So now the question is what rifle would you buy this year to do a 6.5 x 284 build on next year?

None. If you are only going to keep the rifle for a year might as well put in your order now for a stiller predator action. It will cost you about the same as a trued action and if you put in your order now in should be ready by spring :rolleyes:.
 
Sorry...I need to have a rifle to hunt deer this year in Kansas. There is no need for a long range rifle in New Hampshire but I was building this for my annual trip to the midwest and to have fun target shooting.

I'm thinking of a Savage in 270 WSM. Can I put a 6.5 barrel on it later? is the action long enough for that?

This way I can shoot it this year then slowly build it to what I want next year.
 
It will be long enough and yes you could screw a 6.5mm bore on to it later, but you may have feeding issues. If you go with the 270 WSM then the 6.5-284 won't be needed. The 270 WSM will do everything the 6.5-284 will do, due to its velocity and bullet weight. You could load that with 140 grain Berger or 150 Berger and accomplish the same goals. If you want a 6.5-284, look for a used one on gunbroker.com or search for the 111 LRH from Savage. It will already be chambered and ready to go for your caliber selection. They are out there, you just have to look. The 270WSM would be a great option and you could build what ever you want off of that action.

Tank
 
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Sorry...I need to have a rifle to hunt deer this year in Kansas. There is no need for a long range rifle in New Hampshire but I was building this for my annual trip to the midwest and to have fun target shooting.

Ahh, I see...

If you want a rifle you can hunt this year and and build off this year I would agree with the post regarding getting a 25-06. I know a few folks with them and they love'em....if I didn't already have a 6mm and 6.5mm I would probably add one to the vault for muleys. Don't be surprised, however, if you decide to keep that caliber. You also mentioned 270 WSM. Great caliber and I can almost guarantee that if you go with it you will forget all about the 6.5-285.

As for the rifle, I'm a Rem fan so I would takes advantage of the current rebates and get and SPS SS, XCR, or XCR II. Good luck with your decision!
 
Not sure about the .264WM, never owned or shot one. I have shot the 7mmRM for quiet a few years and I have pushed it to its limits and it performs well, as most people know. Same case with a bullet that's 0.02" larger in diameter, not much difference as I see it. Recoil is there but not an issue.
The .25-06 I've owned in a Sendero SF, and it is a great deer round. It kills quickly with little fuss and can be pushed into service for larger varmints if needed. The .270WSM (M70 Coyote) I have owned and it rocks! I would love to have a Sendero in this cartridge. With the right set up I feel it could do anything the 7mmRM could do but you'd have to stay at 150gn bullets and lower.
The 6.5-284 I own now in a Savage 112BVSS. I found it new in a Virginia Gunshop and for $631.99 out the door, it was mine. It is just as accurate a cartridge as they say. The first three 100gn Ballistic Tips from this rifle went .327". That's with no barrel break-in and no load development. I took the middle load from Nosler's #6 manual (most accurate load) and used CCI BR2's. In less than a 100rds down the tube it is printing 2.4" groups at 500yds. I am impressed to say the least. I have little doubt what's going to happen this year during deer season! It shoots the 120gn BT's just as tight. The only 140gn range of pills that I have shoved down it are the 140 AccuTips. I have gotten a couple/three tight groups from them but I'm still developing a load for these.
I don't think you would be displeased with any cartridges that have been mentioned here and you probably couldn't tell the difference on deer sized game. If you get the chance at any rifle in these calibers, go for it. JohnnyK.
 
Just thought of something. If you go with the WSM, then you will have to get a different bolt if you go with anything other than a Savage. With the Savage, all you have to replace to feed the 6.5x284 is the bolt head. Remington, Weatherby, Winchester, Sako, Tikka, and Howa all have one piece bolts. Nothing wrong with that. It may be wise to purchase a caliber in the manufacturer (except Savage) you want to build on that will feed the same bolt head as the 6.5x284. That would be any of the calibers that use the .308 as a parent case (i.e. 243, 260, 22-250, 257 Roberts, 284 Winchester etc.) or the LA versions based on the 06 casings (i.e. 30-06, 280, 270, 35 Whelen, etc.). Just food for thought.

Tank
 
It will be long enough and yes you could screw a 6.5mm bore on to it later, but you may have feeding issues. If you go with the 270 WSM then the 6.5-284 won't be needed. The 270 WSM will do everything the 6.5-284 will do, due to its velocity and bullet weight. You could load that with 140 grain Berger or 150 Berger and accomplish the same goals. If you want a 6.5-284, look for a used one on gunbroker.com or search for the 111 LRH from Savage. It will already be chambered and ready to go for your caliber selection. They are out there, you just have to look. The 270WSM would be a great option and you could build what ever you want off of that action.

Tank

I'd love to buy an off the shelf 11LRH but I no one seems to have any. I'll keep looking as that would be the best solution. Gun Broker has none. Buds has none. All of my local shops don't have any. I'm not sure if it's a Savage production problem or if they are all getting bought up too quick. I can find plenty of 12F rifles but they are beasts to hunt with.
 
I doubt you'll find one on the shelf either. Seems like they hit the market much later then expected and they are still trying to catch up with the back orders. I believe cfvickers on this forum ordered on back in Jan and finally got his the first week of Jun for $850. It would seem at that price you could get exactly what you want in an ER Shaw Mark VII in half the time...food for thought.
 
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