Help me pick

[sniperjwt]

I am trying to decide between two different callibers. The two is 6.5-284 or a 6.5 STW I know the barrel life on both is not that good so i will more than likely start out with a 30-31 inch barrel.
Please let me know which one you would choose and why. Thanks

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

These two are completely different in all respects and it will be an easy choice depending on your purpose. If you want all the horsepower you can get the 264 stw is tops. Can't go to a bigger case and get any kind of barrel life so that is where 264 tops out. It is an awesome cartridge and the best 264 out there for long range hunting. It is a very accurate cartridge also. I have shot mine for ten or more years and love it. Mine will drive a .572 bc 130 grain swift 3550 fps. Plug that into a ballistic chart and you see why it is such a good round. It is a hunting rifle though. Work up a load and shoot it sparingly checking zero or hunting and it will last you forever. If you shoot quite a bit at targets and heat the barrel up often it is not the one for you so do the 284 or '06 imp case.

If you are more into punching paper and not shooting elk size critters then the 284 case I think would be best for you.

 

[sniperjwt]

Well I like the fact that the 6.5-284 is inheritly accurate but then I like the velocity of the STW so that is why I was looking for some input. I have never really been into punching paper but here of late I have really had my interest peaked in the 500-1000 yard shooting. Would like to shoot in a match or two just for the experience of it but don't know if it would be something I would be interested in doing all the time. Plus the closest 1000 yard shoot that I know of is in Willamsport PA which is about 2.5-3 hours away.

 

[280AIman]

Well I like the fact that the 6.5-284 is inheritly accurate but then I like the velocity of the STW so that is why I was looking for some input. I have never really been into punching paper but here of late I have really had my interest peaked in the 500-1000 yard shooting. Would like to shoot in a match or two just for the experience of it but don't know if it would be something I would be interested in doing all the time. Plus the closest 1000 yard shoot that I know of is in Willamsport PA which is about 2.5-3 hours away.

Punching paper go with the 6.5-284 pure hunting the 6.5 STW,
Other the Williamsport there are a few gun clubs that have 1,000 yard ranges here in P.A. there are a couple in south central P.a. I forget the name of it but I think it is Mifflinberg gun club..

I have a 257, 6.5mm, and a 7mm STW and all of them are fantastic for hunting at long range, I hunt a few properties that will allow 1K and better shots at Deer, and the 7mm, and 6.5mm have done a fantastic job....

 

[Chas1]

If your looking to really test your skills at 1000 yard paper punching then IMHO plan on doing alot of shooting and then there's always a good chance you'll get hooked so of the two I'd go 6.5-284.

 

[trueblue]

I don't have any experience with the 6.5-284, so no comment. However,
if I were doing a 6.5 it would be a 6.5-06 AI and shoot the 140gr Berger at 3200fps .
As far as an STW, it would be a 7mm, with the 168gr Berger @ 3150fps.