6.5x55 vs 6.5-284

[Scottylamb]

Interested in either of these and would like to be able to reload for a fast load for long range targets, and a slower load for general hunting.

Would 6.5x55 be a more flexible choice, given that even some regular loads for 6.5-284 seem to leave a lot of case capacity unused?

 

[Rusty Gate]

X55 fast 100gr to 140 hunting

 

[enfieldspares]

All exotics are expensive to buy yet if you need to sell rarely return that initial cost. So I'd avoid the 6.5x284 on that sole factor alone.

 

[JTO]

I've heard it said that by the time you have worked up a load for a 6.5-284, you don't have much barrel life left. Necked up to 7mm, it seems to be kinder on the barrel.

 

[stephentri]

I have a 6.5x55 26 inch barrel use for deer stalking a bit heavy if you are doing a lot of walking but I shoot steel gongs out to 1000y , 140 grain bullet at 2800 fps better barrel life than the 6.5x284

 

[25 Sharps]

Totally different cartridges, 6.5x55 sits in the same group as 6.5x47, .260 and 6.5 creedmoor, 6.5-284 is a step up in terms of energy, powder burned and speed at which you'll eat through your barrel, most people quote around 1000 rounds and accuracy drops off.

6.5x55 with an appropriate load in a modern action and target configured rifle (long heavy barrel) will give you sensible stalking loads and 1000+ yard capable target loads. 6.5-284 will do better at long range target it won't do any better on deer at sub 200 yards.

 

[25 Sharps]

I've heard it said that by the time you have worked up a load for a 6.5-284, you don't have much barrel life left. Necked up to 7mm, it seems to be kinder on the barrel.

Ha, that made me chuckle, you may well be aware but the .284 Win is the original cartridge and parent case of the 6.5-284, which is the .284 win necked down to 6.5. Shooting buddy has a .284 dolphin rifle, its awesome, brass for the parent cartridge is pretty much impossible to get hold of so he does neck up 6.5 brass.

7x64 pretty much matches .284 win ballistically and brass and factory ammo are available so that may be a better choice if a high capacity 7 mm is required.

 

[Konnari]

6.5x55 any day of the week.....superb accuracy and long barrel life (thousands of rounds). The 6.5-284 you can expect even less than 1000 rounds for what ? A few clicks more on the scope!

 

[JTO]

Ha, that made me chuckle, you may well be aware but the .284 Win is the original cartridge and parent case of the 6.5-284, which is the .284 win necked down to 6.5. Shooting buddy has a .284 dolphin rifle, its awesome, brass for the parent cartridge is pretty much impossible to get hold of so he does neck up 6.5 brass.

7x64 pretty much matches .284 win ballistically and brass and factory ammo are available so that may be a better choice if a high capacity 7 mm is required.

I've got a .284W. I was told not to get a 6.5-284 because of short barrel life. Norma supply .284W cases, at a price! I use both the Norma 284 and Lapua 6.5-284 cases. There is an SD member who uses a .284W for stalking, and has just started to use it on the range as well.
Record-Setting .284 Win F-Classer

 

[Scuttlebuttin]

I had both and wished I'd stuck to the .55. The 6..5x284 eats barrels and gets through them a great deal quicker with double base powders (like N5** Viht).

 

[Scottylamb]

So I read a lot of reports that barrel life for 6.5-284 is 1000,1500 rounds or however much.

However this is alway seems to be reported by f class shooters who apparently demand .3 or .4 moa as a minimum, and I’d see that precision as the most I’d ever expect.

For what will be predominantly a hunting rifle, if my rifle creeps up to .5 moa after 1500 rounds, I don’t care one bit. If I can ‘only’ bang 5 rounds into a 2” circle at 400yds, I’m golden.

Also for sake of argument, if I load 6.5x55 and 6.5-284 to the same MV with the same bullet weight, day 140gr at 2750fps, do they both wear barrels at the same rate? Anyone who can speak form experience? (My guess is 6.5x55 is slightly gentler, but not by much.)

I also get that the swede has broader appeal, easier for resale etc., this rifle will be staying with me though so not bothered about that. It will also be a Blaser so could rebarrel to sell if necessary.

Thanks for the input gents - all points of view appreciated

 

[sikadog]

If you are going to target shoot with a 6.5-284 It will burn barrels but only if you overheat it
The fallacy of burning the barrel out looking for a load is crap.
Mine shoots 1/2 moa with 140 smk's it took me 6 rounds to find that load and shoot it.
6.5's are inherently accurate so good groups are not really a problem.

 

[25 Sharps]

I've got a .284W. I was told not to get a 6.5-284 because of short barrel life. Norma supply .284W cases, at a price! I use both the Norma 284 and Lapua 6.5-284 cases. There is an SD member who uses a .284W for stalking, and has just started to use it on the range as well.
Record-Setting .284 Win F-Classer

So you do realise .284 W is not a necked up 6.5-284 then!

There's more than one forum user using it for stalking and target.

 

[JTO]

So you do realise .284 W is not a necked up 6.5-284 then!

Did I say it was?
Most people with F-class .284W rifles are using necked up 6.5-284 cases. If your rifle is throated for this, you have to turn down the necks of Norma .284W cases.

 

[sauer]

Buy norma brass no neck turning and get rifle done with a Sammi spec reamer so it’s not a mega tight tolerance chambered target rifle .

24” barrel and a mod and hunt away !

“Straight 284” certainly gaining momentum in hunting stalking world ..... I have authorisation for one and will chamber I. That once I shoot out my .25-06


Paul

 

[JTO]

I had the rifle built, to take necked up 6.5-284 cases before I found that Norma 284W brass was available.

 

[big ears]

6.5x55 been about for years, used by many, proven pedigree. 6.5x284 newcommer, barrel burner, yet to prove.

For years the Scandinavian army have used the 6.5x55 says a lot.

BE

Ps im a 6.5x55 fan

 

[25 Sharps]

Did I say it was?
Most people with F-class .284W rifles are using necked up 6.5-284 cases. If your rifle is throated for this, you have to turn down the necks of Norma .284W cases.

You certainly said that necked up to 7 mm it seems to be kinder on the barrel, as if necked up 6.5-284 was some new thing. Rather than the .284 parent case is kinder on the barrel.

 

[Scottylamb]

Mr Holland groups the 260, 6.5x47 and the Creedmoor together in his review of the calibre, and sits the 6.5x55 with the 284.

6.5mm Cartridges: an Overview (Part 2) by Laurie Holland

What’s the step up in speed from 55 to 284?

100fps?

Totally different cartridges, 6.5x55 sits in the same group as 6.5x47, .260 and 6.5 creedmoor, 6.5-284 is a step up in terms of energy, powder burned and speed at which you'll eat through your barrel, most people quote around 1000 rounds and accuracy drops off.

6.5x55 with an appropriate load in a modern action and target configured rifle (long heavy barrel) will give you sensible stalking loads and 1000+ yard capable target loads. 6.5-284 will do better at long range target it won't do any better on deer at sub 200 yards.

 

[25 Sharps]

Mr Holland groups the 260, 6.5x47 and the Creedmoor together in his review of the calibre, and sits the 6.5x55 with the 284.

6.5mm Cartridges: an Overview (Part 2) by Laurie Holland

What’s the step up in speed from 55 to 284?

100fps?

If you tag @Laurie he'd be able to tell you, it may be that the first 3 are short action, the latter long action. .260 and creedmoor will match 6.5x55 on velocity, not sure on x47, 6.5-284 gives an extra 200 fps or so.

Edit. Just read the article, he has just kept those two together as they are the largest pair in the line up.