6.5 x 284?

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Trey Veston

Trey Veston

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Long story short...

Got invited to a long range rifle match on Saturday. Lots of high dollar precision rifles with all the bells and whistles. I talk to the match organizer and mention I used to compete in BPCR matches with an 1885 Winchester high wall and it is the only match rifle I have. He says to bring it to the next match as it would be fun to see how it does against the bolt guns.

So, I dig out my rifle, and realize I hadn't shot it for years, so take it out to my dad's place to sort out the sights and tune it.

I tell him that I'll be shooting it in a match up to 700 yards against fancy match bolt guns.

He pulls out a rifle from one of his safes. It's a bolt action, heavy, heavy bull barrel, laminated wood stock, and the largest Leupold scope I've ever seen.

He says that if I don't do well with the high wall, then I can borrow this rifle and he will guarantee that I will win with it.

I ask what caliber it is and he replies that it is in 6.5 x 284. Never heard of it.

Looks like it is an obscure older match round with some impressive numbers.

Anyone familiar with it? Strengths and weaknesses?
 
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Obviously used the slick, higher B.C. .264 bullets. My only experience is reading about it on various gun sites. Reputation for chewing up barrels as I recall. Considered one of the more optimum long range rounds
 
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It is still used to good effect in competition today. Not the highest levels but it is far from dead in that arena.

If that rifle is all that it seems and judging by your previous posts about your dad and his rifles, I’m sure it is, it should have no problem competing well in a local match.
 
Check the twist. I'd ASSUME its 1-8, but it might not be depending on the age of the rifle and its expected usage.

Load data is commonly available from pretty much everyone, and the case is large enough to do some interesting things with the 147+ bullets.

The one I had was a hunting rifle built from a T99 Arisaka.

Really nice round.....shot a cow with 143eld-xs....
 
Trey Veston said:
Looks like it is an obscure older match round with some impressive numbers.
Click to expand...

Odd to think of the 6.5-284 being considered “older” or “obscure,” because it’s certainly neither in the context of the folks which would use it - but it’s fair to say it’s less prevalent and less revered than it once was in competition. It earned - deservedly so - a reputation for burning barrels, so guys went back to the straight 284, or improved 284 Shehane to put some lifespan back into their barrels. Awesome cartridge, fantastic hotrod. One of a short list of cartridges I favor for long action deer and elk hunting.

I certainly wish to own, or even BORROW a rifle which someone could tell me I WILL win with, rather than simply BE ABLE TO win with… but a well built 6.5-284 for almost any long range competition format will always be formidable.
 
The best of the west guys on youtube shoot game at 1k yards and their choice caliber is 6.5-284. Not that i support that but it has the capability to get out there.
 
There was a cover article in a gun mag about 6.5X284 long range rifles 2002. The rifle featured was a Robar camo rifle.
 
I run a 6.5-284 for long range Thar hunting, hand load using 130gr HPBT @ 3100 good for 650-800 mts CB shots.
 
Trey Veston said:
Long story short...

Got invited to a long range rifle match on Saturday. Lots of high dollar precision rifles with all the bells and whistles. I talk to the match organizer and mention I used to compete in BPCR matches with an 1885 Winchester high wall and it is the only match rifle I have. He says to bring it to the next match as it would be fun to see how it does against the bolt guns.

So, I dig out my rifle, and realize I hadn't shot it for years, so take it out to my dad's place to sort out the sights and tune it.

I tell him that I'll be shooting it in a match up to 700 yards against fancy match bolt guns.

He pulls out a rifle from one of his safes. It's a Winchester action, heavy, heavy bull barrel, laminated wood stock, and the largest Leupold scope I've ever seen.

He says that if I don't do well with the high wall, then I can borrow this rifle and he will guarantee that I will win with it.

I ask what caliber it is and he replies that it is in 6.5 x 284. Never heard of it.

Looks like it is an obscure older match round with some impressive numbers.

Anyone familiar with it? Strengths and weaknesses?
Click to expand...
Make sure of the chamber dimensions, the 6.5-284 win was a wildcat that had various chamber specs depending on "whodunnit" as far as range and horse power, if it were done on a long action and has a proper twist, it's comparable to the new mighty 6.5 prc. If he has ammo for it then that simplifies things but do not assume that the now standardized 6.5-284 Norma specs will fit that rifle without testing, the chamber can be different especially as far as c.o.a.l is concerned. Fairly mild recoil and a long reach for the pros, cons are barrel life, and if built on a shorter action or too slow of barrel twist you'll be crippling the cartridge's potential.
redneck2 said:
Obviously used the slick, higher B.C. .284 bullets. My only experience is reading about it on various gun sites. Reputation for chewing up barrels as I recall. Considered one of the more optimum long range rounds
Click to expand...
Golly I certainly hope not, that thing better use the slick higher b.c. 264 bullets ;)
 
Awesome cartridge. It’s what I’d be running if I wasn’t concerned with fitting a magazine in my Chassis. So I went 260Rem., which is next closest and will fit a Mag. Even when Ackley Improved.
 
It’s an awesome cartridge. Look at the 284 which came out decades before. Released in 1963, the 284 uses a case much like modern target cartridges use. It was simply a step ahead of its times in every way! Unfortunately, at the time, Americans were quite FUDD in thinking, and it was not very popular.

The 6.5-284 sent their standardized to CIP in 1999. The 6.5-284 held the 1000yd record until 2007. It’s what I would have used had I not been concerned with Magazine use in my Chassis. So I went with 260Rem, which is close, especially in Ackley Improved, and will still fit a Mag.

Alrhough the 6mms have taken the up to the 1000yd accuracy crown, that is their extent. The 6mm’s don’t have near the range of the 6.5-284.
 
Interestingly, I walked into the local Sportsman's Warehouse the other day and they had 65-284 Norma unprimed cases in stock on the shelf. It was about $160 for a hundred, but still...
 
Went out and fixed dad's roof today and looked at the rifle a little closer.

It's a Savage Model 12. He said it's the most accurate rifle he's ever owned and will put 5 shots into an inch at 350 yards. He's well aware of the barrel life, so only uses it for when he spots a wolf on his property, lol.

This is what it looks like. Not his rifle, but his looks exactly like it...

7885283_01_custom_savage_model_12_6_5x284_640.jpg

Pretty sure I can't use it in the match since he says it will punch right through a steel silhouette target.
 
If the target is made from the proper material, AR500 or AR550, and is sufficient thickness and distance there shouldn’t be an issue. I use my 6.5 Norma at the range I frequent without issues.
 
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