6.5x284 & 280ai comparison

[GetReel]

I'm just guessing at these velocities. I'll be getting a 24" barrel in either choice.
I've got VV N560, VV N565 I'd like to use.

 

[GetReel]

I plan on running with either a side port muzzle break or a suppressor.
With the added bearing surface of the 7mm bullet, would there be much of a difference in recoil? Not that that's a deal breaker, just curious.

I think I'm leaning 6.5x284 simply because I already have components for reloading. If I go the 280 route, I'll need brass and dies. But should I let that be a deciding factor cause I'd have time to accumulate those while rifle is being built.

 

[Plinker147]

A 280AI shooting a 160gr bullet will be dang near the same recoil as 6.5-284 with a 156. Move the 280AI up to 175-180 and it will recoil more not a bunch or enough to worry about but you can tell the difference. Cant go wrong with either.

IMO 280AI check these boxes a little better. barrel life, larger bullet selection, lots of brass companies making brass, very main stream now.

I debated similar with a PRC and chose 280AI, it's been the perfect light weight all around hunting gun for me. Killed several elk, deer, sheep, oryx with it so far

 

[Greyfox]

Hunting and shooting with my 6.5x284 along side a few buddies with the 280AI, the differences are difficult to discern. My 6.5x284 at 2975-3000FPS with the 156 EOL's IMO, more then evens up the ballistic comparison delivering 1000FPE to 1100-1200 yards at +1700FPS (4500fr elevation).

 

[JuddL]

It comes down to what are you trying to do? I normally build rifles around a bullet weight I want to shoot in a velocity range I'm trying to accomplish. Sometimes it works out and other times it doesn't

You'll have a lot more flexibility with the 280ai. Shoot a 140/150 bullet for deer and shoot a 180 for bigger game. Then you aren't handcuffing yourself to the bigger bullet and recoil that comes with it.

For a long action build, pretty tough to beat the 280ai and in my opinion the options it gives you.

 

[fmuguira]

Splitting hairs….. 7 will offer a little more bullet frontal area and weight.

If it was me I d base it on what components I might already have if any for the 2 calibers, estimated cost to shoot each ( very similar is my guess), component availability and lastly ( most important) which one you want!!

 

[GetReel]

It comes down to what are you trying to do? I normally build rifles around a bullet weight I want to shoot in a velocity range I'm trying to accomplish. Sometimes it works out and other times it doesn't

You'll have a lot more flexibility with the 280ai. Shoot a 140/150 bullet for deer and shoot a 180 for bigger game. Then you aren't handcuffing yourself to the bigger bullet and recoil that comes with it.

For a long action build, pretty tough to beat the 280ai and in my opinion the options it gives you.

I'm a one bullet kind of guy, I hate using this one for this, that one for that… re-zeroing the scope and such. If I was going to shoot 140gr bullets, I'd absolutely pick the 6.5x284.

 

[GetReel]

Splitting hairs….. 7 will offer a little more bullet frontal area and weight.

If it was me I d base it on what components I might already have if any for the 2 calibers, estimated cost to shoot each ( very similar is my guess), component availability and lastly ( most important) which one you want!!

If choose based on components, the choice is clear. I already have everything I need for the 6.5x284, that includes 300ct of the 156's.

 

[GetReel]

I realized I have had my mind made up all along. I have been trying to talk myself out of building the 6.5x284. That there tells me what I want.

Thank you for all the input.

 

[Marky_mark]

I have a 6.5x284 and shooting the 156's this set up has put down 8 sheep in the last 2 years
I developed a load with 140 gr a frames that have the same point of impact at 100 yards as the 156's. Took a grizzly with this set up this fall as well
Its a great caliber

 

[nwhunter]

Nothing wrong with a 6.5/284, but your comparing apples to oranges.
If you are jumping to 7mm why not just go 284?
Your 6.5/284 compares much more closely to 6.5/06 AI.
As I am typing this, I realize I have had owned 6/284 and 6.5/284 but never a 284, I may have to remedy that.
None of this helps you with your barrel wait time.

 

[FEENIX]

Nothing wrong with a 6.5/284, but your comparing apples to oranges.

Yep, that's why responded accordingly in #7 ...

Why compare two different caliber/chambering?

 

[Patton243]

280AI has better barrel life. That's my vote. Not to mention 7mm bullets IMO are better in the wind than 6.5. (I have a 280)

 

[Pwbergen]

I was in the same boat recently. I wanted a 6.5-280 Ackley with a 26" carbon barrel. I had to order the barrel and it was going to take 12 - 14 months for the builder to receive it. I went ahead and ordered the barrel, reamer and started piling up components. Then one day the builder calls and says we have a 7mm carbon that will finish at 26" that the original customer backed out on, and if I still wanted a 7mm-08 carbon they would make me a deal. I had already ordered and paid for a 24" heavy contour 7mm-08 rifle that was going to be done in a week or two, so I decided a 280 Ackley was the logical step since I had brass, primers and Whidden bushing dies for the 6.5-280 that could easily be used for the straight 280, the rest was history. They chambered the barrel and spun everything together and about 2 weeks after I picked up the 7mm-08 I picked up the 280 Ackley. It quickly became my go to, accurate and easy on the shoulder, easy to carry at 8 3/4lbs dressed out and with ammo. There is also the benefit of not having to resize brass or fight for bullets with the 6.5mm manbun crowd.

I vote 280 Ackley for now, but keep the components build the 6.5-284 down the road to use for whatever you deem necessary. This is exactly what I am doing with the 6.5-280 Ackley, except that I am trying to get it as light as possible.

"…6.5mm manbun crowd…"