6.5 WSM or 6.5-284
- Thread starter sewwhat89
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jb1000br
Official LRH Sponsor
WHat is your definition of performance?
Intended use?
the only reason i would personally go to the wsm is for a LR antelope/deer blaster
YMMV,
JB
Intended use?
the only reason i would personally go to the wsm is for a LR antelope/deer blaster
YMMV,
JB
Fiftydriver
Official LRH Sponsor
I would like to see a test the proved the 6.5 WSM is less inherently accurate then the 6.5-284. Personally I do not put alot of stock in IA theories.
Velocity wise the 6.5 WSM will beat the 284 version but a substantial amount as it will run very close to the 264 Win Mag.
It also has a shorter barrel life but this would only be a problem with high volume shooting.
The 6.5-284 is the favorite in the long range BR crowd because it has low recoil, its easy to load for and it has a good barrel life.
I do not believe that in quality rifles that you would see an accuracy advantage for either round.
Good SHooting!!
Kirby Allen(50)
Velocity wise the 6.5 WSM will beat the 284 version but a substantial amount as it will run very close to the 264 Win Mag.
It also has a shorter barrel life but this would only be a problem with high volume shooting.
The 6.5-284 is the favorite in the long range BR crowd because it has low recoil, its easy to load for and it has a good barrel life.
I do not believe that in quality rifles that you would see an accuracy advantage for either round.
Good SHooting!!
Kirby Allen(50)
Seeing as I have never shot-out a barrel, what is your best estimate on shot volume in a properly maintained rifle? I have not seen any hard data on the 6.5 WSM, but it would seem to have the same useful life as the 6.5-284. I was told by John Doe gunsmith that 6.5-284 had a useful life of 1200-1700 rounds. Was he blowing smoke up my butt or is it much more than that. I can't see spendning the money to build a rifle to shoot several hundred rounds a season with that short a barrel life. Please tell me I am wrong.
davewilson
Well-Known Member
you're wrong!
[ QUOTE ]
WHat is your definition of performance?
Intended use?
the only reason i would personally go to the wsm is for a LR antelope/deer blaster
YMMV,
JB
[/ QUOTE ]
I would use it for hunting out of elevated blinds and my tripod, but main use would be punching paper and critters that I can legally shoot from long range in East TX (about 5-600 yds). Velocity would be nice for flat shooting, but I want to also compete with the benchrest boys at the range I shoot at. The long range there is 500m (actually 535 yds). It would basically be a toy to shoot at any and everything. I have no experience with 6.5mm, and that is part of the appeal to me. And if I had the chance, I could use it to shoot varmints.
WHat is your definition of performance?
Intended use?
the only reason i would personally go to the wsm is for a LR antelope/deer blaster
YMMV,
JB
[/ QUOTE ]
I would use it for hunting out of elevated blinds and my tripod, but main use would be punching paper and critters that I can legally shoot from long range in East TX (about 5-600 yds). Velocity would be nice for flat shooting, but I want to also compete with the benchrest boys at the range I shoot at. The long range there is 500m (actually 535 yds). It would basically be a toy to shoot at any and everything. I have no experience with 6.5mm, and that is part of the appeal to me. And if I had the chance, I could use it to shoot varmints.
Fiftydriver
Official LRH Sponsor
For what you discribe in your last post as to how this rifle will be used, I would recommend going with the 6.5-284.
Had you said you would be hunting mainly with the rifle with limited target use I would lean toward the WSM. Barrel life is a relative thing. If your going to hold a rifle to BR quality accuracy, then I would say the barrel life estimation given to you could have some credit.
IF your looking for useful big game accuracy out to 500 meters, I would bet a number more like 2000 rounds would be realistic with a cared for barre.
There are so many factors in barrel life including which powder is used, the throat dimensions, rifling design, pressure of the loads used, how rapidly the rifle is fired, how often its cleaned, etc....
Still for how you discribe how the rifle will be used, mainly for paper punching with occasional hunting, I would say the 6.5-284 will offer you more to meet your goals with longer barrel life.
Good Shooting,
Kirby Allen(50)
Had you said you would be hunting mainly with the rifle with limited target use I would lean toward the WSM. Barrel life is a relative thing. If your going to hold a rifle to BR quality accuracy, then I would say the barrel life estimation given to you could have some credit.
IF your looking for useful big game accuracy out to 500 meters, I would bet a number more like 2000 rounds would be realistic with a cared for barre.
There are so many factors in barrel life including which powder is used, the throat dimensions, rifling design, pressure of the loads used, how rapidly the rifle is fired, how often its cleaned, etc....
Still for how you discribe how the rifle will be used, mainly for paper punching with occasional hunting, I would say the 6.5-284 will offer you more to meet your goals with longer barrel life.
Good Shooting,
Kirby Allen(50)
Centre Punch
Well-Known Member
Hi 89,
May i suggest the 6.5x55 in standard or improved form, a hugely and unjustly underestimated cartridge, super accuracy excellent killing power (the Swedes flatten 100s of moose with it every year)and much longer barrel life then both the WSM and 6.5-284, oh and brass from most manufacturers including quality European cases.
Ian
"I meant to shoot the pike but the duck got in the way"
May i suggest the 6.5x55 in standard or improved form, a hugely and unjustly underestimated cartridge, super accuracy excellent killing power (the Swedes flatten 100s of moose with it every year)and much longer barrel life then both the WSM and 6.5-284, oh and brass from most manufacturers including quality European cases.
Ian
"I meant to shoot the pike but the duck got in the way"
Centre Punch
Well-Known Member
Thats a tricky one arthur, because most 6.5x55 load data is developed not to make too high a pressure level in order to function in all 6.5x55 rifles including old '96 Mausers.
At these levels velocity with 140grn bullets stands at about 2700fps approx 200fps short of the 6.5-284.
Our friend and fellow member Brit, has successfully loaded 6.5x55 to the same level of the 6.5-284 without any problems at all.
A former 1000yrd benchrest record holder here in the UK used a 142 SMK in his 6.5x55 Ackley at just over 3000fps to score his record group.
Ian
"I meant to shoot the pike but the duck got in the way"
At these levels velocity with 140grn bullets stands at about 2700fps approx 200fps short of the 6.5-284.
Our friend and fellow member Brit, has successfully loaded 6.5x55 to the same level of the 6.5-284 without any problems at all.
A former 1000yrd benchrest record holder here in the UK used a 142 SMK in his 6.5x55 Ackley at just over 3000fps to score his record group.
Ian
"I meant to shoot the pike but the duck got in the way"
G
Guest
Guest
um.... you can make this real easy on yourself....
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I would use it for hunting out of elevated blinds and my tripod, but main use would be punching paper and critters that I can legally shoot from long range in East TX (about 5-600 yds).
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260 Rem. out performs the 308 ballistically.... very mild recoil.... and very deadly to deer sized game to 600 yards...less powder than the Swede or the 284.. but I like them too....
you could even make it look like this....
[ QUOTE ]
I would use it for hunting out of elevated blinds and my tripod, but main use would be punching paper and critters that I can legally shoot from long range in East TX (about 5-600 yds).
[/ QUOTE ]
260 Rem. out performs the 308 ballistically.... very mild recoil.... and very deadly to deer sized game to 600 yards...less powder than the Swede or the 284.. but I like them too....
you could even make it look like this....
Chester Evans
Active Member
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2004
- Messages
- 32
Rick,
What loads, bullets, etc. are you using in the 260, and what velocities from the 24" barrel ?
What loads, bullets, etc. are you using in the 260, and what velocities from the 24" barrel ?
I will offer my vote for the 6,5x55.
At the ranges described, the 6,5x284 has only a slight advantage in killspace and winddrift.
Roughly speaking, with 600m the 6,5x55 has a killspace of about 585-610m where the bullet strikes 1 fist above or below the crosshairs. The 6,5x284 offers about <10m more. With a rangefinder the trajectory is a non-issue as you'll easily be able to fit your target inside a killing window. Energy is ample for deer.
The 6,5x284 truly is a better longrange cartridge than the 6,5x55, but the benefits of the latter will possibly outweigh the former in your scenario. Match shooters at national level here routinely/indiscriminately switch barrels at 6,000 rounds. I got almost 9.000 rounds worth of hunting accuracy out of my last barrel. Spread was about 1,5"@100m when I scrapped it. Very easy to reload, "everything" seems to shoot well when using some of the quality components available.
You can expect to get 820 m/sec (2650-2700fps) with a 140gr and 880-900 m/sec (2900-2950 fps) with a 120gr (24" barrel). Take a look in a ballistics program and see how the super 6,5mm bullets holds their own passing 500m before dismissing these seemingly unimpressive muzzle velocities.
Good luck!
At the ranges described, the 6,5x284 has only a slight advantage in killspace and winddrift.
Roughly speaking, with 600m the 6,5x55 has a killspace of about 585-610m where the bullet strikes 1 fist above or below the crosshairs. The 6,5x284 offers about <10m more. With a rangefinder the trajectory is a non-issue as you'll easily be able to fit your target inside a killing window. Energy is ample for deer.
The 6,5x284 truly is a better longrange cartridge than the 6,5x55, but the benefits of the latter will possibly outweigh the former in your scenario. Match shooters at national level here routinely/indiscriminately switch barrels at 6,000 rounds. I got almost 9.000 rounds worth of hunting accuracy out of my last barrel. Spread was about 1,5"@100m when I scrapped it. Very easy to reload, "everything" seems to shoot well when using some of the quality components available.
You can expect to get 820 m/sec (2650-2700fps) with a 140gr and 880-900 m/sec (2900-2950 fps) with a 120gr (24" barrel). Take a look in a ballistics program and see how the super 6,5mm bullets holds their own passing 500m before dismissing these seemingly unimpressive muzzle velocities.
Good luck!
