6.5x284 or 260 AI

[ramonmark]

Reloading isn't and issue. I know ones a long and ones a short. I'm looking at building a light mountain rig next year and in research and development stages now.

My main question is: Is there really much of a difference between the two throwing a 140gr pill? I'm looking at a 22-24" barrel light contour barrel. One cold bore and maybe one follow up if need be. I most likely wont stretch the hunting ranges out past 700 yards. I've done lots of reading and talking about the two and now I'm looking for honest advice from someone who's owned or used one or both. Or maybe your a guru and haven't owned one but know a lot about the two. I haven't made my mind up on either so be frank if need be.

[tchardy1972]

I think the 6.5-284 needs a long barrel to make use of the extra powder. With reloader 17 the 260 has picked up a little horse power and in a shorter barrel closes the gap even more. I will likely not rebarrel my 6.5-284 to the same cartridge. I will likely go with the regular 260 as I feel the extra 30-50 fps the ai version will gain is not worth the fire forming headache. The 260 is only about 100-120 fps behind its big brother and will gain a huge amount of barrel life so lots of practice is possible.

I have also found the 6.5-284 quite fussy to load for, but this may just be my rifle. A lot of the claimed velocities are also out to lunch to the point of it being a touch over rated.

[ramonmark]

That was another thing I was wondering. The barrel Life between the two. Are the velocities published for the 260 (140gr-2750-2800) realistic? I'm only going to the AI to help counter the shorter barrel and help with brass shretch. I'm hoping to shoot 140gr out of a 24" barrel around 2700fps. Is this do-able?

[Chukar Hunter]

I have built both and to me, the 6.5-284 is the winner, hands down. Mine is built on a M700 Short Action, has a 25" tube and I launch the 130 Scirocoo' s(BC =0.571) at 3,075 fps with 50.5 grains of H4350.

Yours in good hunting,

CH

[6.5x47 lapua]

I can launch 130 grainers out of my 6.5x47 lapua at 3000 with 40 grains of h 4350 28 inch barrel.

[ramonmark]

What are you pressure signs like? any sticky bolt lifts? flowing brass on the bolt face? How many times have you used the same brass? If more than 3 any primer pockets getting larger? Sorry for all the questions but that's a really good velocity considering my hornady manual says 2900 fps for 130 using h4350.

Originally Posted by Chukar Hunter

I have built both and to me, the 6.5-284 is the winner, hands down. Mine is built on a M700 Short Action, has a 25" tube and I launch the 130 Scirocoo' s(BC =0.571) at 3,075 fps with 50.5 grains of H4350.

Yours in good hunting,

CH

[ramonmark]

Originally Posted by 6.5x47 lapua

I can launch 130 grainers out of my 6.5x47 lapua at 3000 with 40 grains of h 4350 28 inch barrel.

That's pretty good. So if I said for chits and giggles. 30-40fps slower for every inche of barrel lost. I might get 2840fps out of a 24" barrel using 130gr bullets? Thanks but I'll stick to the 6.5x284 with 140gr going the same speed or faster. Do you have any recipes using the 6.5x284 or the 260AI?

[6.5x47 lapua]

Originally Posted by ramonmark

That's pretty good. So if I said for chits and giggles. 30-40fps slower for every inche of barrel lost. I might get 2840fps out of a 24" barrel using 130gr bullets? Thanks but I'll stick to the 6.5x284 with 140gr going the same speed or faster. Do you have any recipes using the 6.5x284 or the 260AI?

that recipe does not compute like that in an efficient case like the 6.5x47.i doubt cutting the barrel that short would amount to 100 fps;probably less.

[tchardy1972]

With the 140 grain hornady a max I get right around 2860 fps out of my 6.5-284. This is a fairly warm load as I get sticky bolt lift with a 1.5 grain powder increase.

Please don't take chucker hunters velocity claims lightly. I have no doubt in his abilities but he is known to load things to the gills with no concern for brass life.

[DaleJ]

6.5-284 with 49.0 gr IMR 4350, F210M primers, 140 gr bullets, 2940 fps on their sixth reload, still not trimmed after they were uniformed. 28 inch bbl.
This short fat cartridge might give feeding issues in a magazine rifle.

6.5X55 SE using Lapua brass will magazine feed easily. R-22, 140 gr bullets, 2870 fps. My rifle is an old Schultz & Larsen M62 single shot match action with rear lugs and this load gives me great accuracy.

6.5-06 AI with 22-11:1 RKS gain twist bbl will shoot 130 / 135 gr bullets at 3250. This rifle is in an HS stock, not a great stock for precision shooting, and shot 8-10 inch groups at 1000 yds.

6.5X47 shoots 126 / 140 bullets fine. Took mine to a one mile shoot with 140's and couldn't get to one mile, it maxed out at 1500 yds. Another shooter took his 6.5X47 with 123 gr bullets to one mile.

[huntin]

are you going for weight? if not don't forget about the 264wm I love mine pushing a 140grn berger @ 3070fps I'm shooting under moa @ 600yards

[Cappy]

I run a 260AI with a 24" barrel. In my rifle I have no problem driving the 140's to 2850fps without pressure signs. I have gone faster but I started getting pressure signs. With the new 136gr Lapua bullets I seem to be getting faster, but my chronograph has died so I'm just basing this on the amount of powder and my drops out to 500 yards. Once the cases are formed you are done, haven't had to trim them yet.

I also have a modern actioned 6.5x55 that is able to match the 260AI. but of course it's a long action.

[Chukar Hunter]

Originally Posted by ramonmark

What are you pressure signs like? any sticky bolt lifts? flowing brass on the bolt face? How many times have you used the same brass? If more than 3 any primer pockets getting larger? Sorry for all the questions but that's a really good velocity considering my hornady manual says 2900 fps for 130 using h4350.

No pressure signs but higher charges did produce pressure with insignificant increase in velocity. The brass is in to its 3rd reloads and still holds primers well (Lapua).

By the way, my rig weighs 7 3/4 lbs with a VX3 in 2.5-8x36 and a #3 contour Lilja barrel+H-S precision stock. The 130 Scirocoos are in my opinion the best hunting bullet for that cartridge for anything except the big bears and of course good shot placement within 500 yards.


CH

[ramonmark]

Lots of great info. Thank you everyone. I really appreciate all your advice.