6.5-284 Reduced Loads and Accuracy

[sawacs]

Having narrowed down the cartridge to the 260 Rem and the 6.5-284 for my Savage build, I was wondering how the accuracy would be effected by downloading the 6.5-284 to 260 Rem velocities?

I guess what I am really asking is can I retain the same accuracy using a reduced load on the 6.5-284? When needed for a long range hunting load, I can speed the 6.5-284 up.

Thanks!

Shawn

[stomp442]

Yes the accuracy is there. In fact my most accurate load is 48gr of H4831 and a 140 Amax running at 2840fps in a 26" barrel. I have got to ask. Why load it down? If you do feel you need to load it down then get the .260 or better yet build a .260AI and have the best of both worlds. In all seriousness though a 140 gr bullet pushed to 2800fps is enough to kill deer and similar sized game waaaay out there. I used my 6.5-284 last year with the load listed above to take a deer at 1243 yards. It had plenty of power to get the job done and more importantly I was confident enough to put the bullet where it needed to go.

[sawacs]

Yes the accuracy is there. In fact my most accurate load is 48gr of H4831 and a 140 Amax running at 2840fps in a 26" barrel. I have got to ask. Why load it down? If you do feel you need to load it down then get the .260 or better yet build a .260AI and have the best of both worlds. In all seriousness though a 140 gr bullet pushed to 2800fps is enough to kill deer and similar sized game waaaay out there. I used my 6.5-284 last year with the load listed above to take a deer at 1243 yards. It had plenty of power to get the job done and more importantly I was confident enough to put the bullet where it needed to go.

Thanks for the reply. The main reason for downloading the cartridge is for barrel life. Just because you own a Vette doesnt mean you keep it floored:( If I am shooting at 100 or 200 yards, why not reduce the load to 2600 or so. Then, when hunting season comes around, increase the velocity..

Cheers!

Shawn

[Patch700]

A nice load with great bbl life is 47-48 grns of VV- N160 under a 140 A-Max using lapua brass.
Burns clean , not near as dirty as the H stuff I've found.

[sawacs]

A nice load with great bbl life is 47-48 grns of VV- N160 under a 140 A-Max using lapua brass.
Burns clean , not near as dirty as the H stuff I've found.

Thanks, I will keep the 140 Amax in mind.

I actually figured out a great way to determine if reduced loads in a 6.5-284 can be as accurate as normal loads in a 260 Rem: load some up myself and go to the range:eyebrows: Also, purchasing 2 barrels would get rid of the worry about barrel life.

Cheers,

Shawn

[Westcliffe01]

The solution to your problem is a 6.5x47 Lapua barrel to shoot from Jan to October. Then put the 6.5x284 barrel back on for hunting...

[sawacs]

The solution to your problem is a 6.5x47 Lapua barrel to shoot from Jan to October. Then put the 6.5x284 barrel back on for hunting...

Since they use the same bolt, that's not a bad idea. The other option is to forget the 6.5x284 and go with the 6.5x47 or 260 Rem to keep it simple.

Cheers!,

Shawn

[Westcliffe01]

Apparently a huge diffeence in barrel life going with the 6.5x47L. Also a substantial reduction in the amount of powder - which goes along with the barrel life issue. Shooting the 140's, not all that much difference in downrange energy. The best part is it can be built on a short action, which is much better supported than the Savage Long action.