Don't buy into all the bad rap on the 6.5x284….It's no different in barrel life then the 6.5PRC….or any other overbore cartridge that's running near 3000FPS. Use a slow burning single base powder like Retumbo or H4831sc. I won a savage LRH in 6.5x284 at an egg shoot several years ago. I really didn't know what to expect but when tested, it reliably produced <.5MOA out to 1000 yards, with cold bore accuracy, and solid reliability. I never ran it hot, and kept any carbon or copper build-up to a minimum. The barrel is not as finely finished as my customs….but works. It's throated perfectly(Norma specs) to handle the longer Berger's HVLD's. The only modification I made was to sand down the stock/forearm pressure point, and eliminate any of the stock channel contact points with the barrel. Just left the muzzle break in the on position. This rifle was a very pleasant surprise!