6.5-284 Reduced Loads and Accuracy

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

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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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

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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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

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...

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Originally Posted by 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...

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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

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.