Is there any advantage to one? I notice that ya'll have built on every action conceivable except Sako. Is there any draw back to using an L61r off a 30-06 for either build? Am I pretty well going to need a 26 inch barrel to get top performance? Has contour seemed to be a factor? Will one twist rate stabilize 125 gr noslers and 140 gr whatevers? Read on another forum that you could load a 6.5 boat tail straight into a 25-06 case and shoot away with no sizing or prep. Does this sound legitemate? I've read this forum so much in the last few days, I could probably pass a test on content. I was reading mostly on the 264WM and ya'll seemed to put out pretty straight dope.


You can't miss fast enough to win!

Welcome to the forum wag. Rules are simple, be nice and join in.

It seems that the 6.5 by 284 is one of those inherently accurate rounds and is garnering lots of long range bench competitions and you can buy factory brass for it now.

I've not done anything with the 6.5-06 so will leave advice on that cartridge to others. The 264 Win mag is a good long range deer cartridge, but I don't see it being used by the long range target shooters.

One advantage of the 6.5 by 284 is that it can be used in shorter stiffer actions than the 06 bases cases.

Good luck in your search.

After posting, similar threads came up to answer most questions except about Sako and 25-06 loading technique. Thanks

Most long range rifles are built on Remington actions simply because of the ease of blueprinting these actions. It's been a long time since I've done anything with Sako actions, but they were dandy actions, but a bit pricey.

Another you might consider is using a Savage action to fool around with different calibers. You can rebarrel these at home with nothing more than a barrel nut wrench, barrel vice and a go headspace gauge for the cartridge your barrel is chambered for. The headspacing is very exact and easily varied and it takes about 15 minutes to change out a caliber. This is a very good system for folks that want to experiment with different calibers at the least expense. There are lots of barrels available and the Savage's are proving very accurate guns.

You MAY have to open up the guide rails a bit in a 30-06 type action to accomodate the .284 fat body case.

I've got a custom Mauser in 6.5-06 and it shoots 120 gr Sierra Prohunter bullets wonderfully. This is with a Shilen barrel with a 1:10 twist.

Another is a P-17 Enfield that is customized into a 6mm/284, which is my long range, subMOA, knock'em dead, fun gun to shoot. The throat will probably shoot out after 2500 rounds or so, but the barrel is 27", so it's long enough to be rechambered.

I never worry about brass for a .223, .308, or .30-06 based cartridge. It's very rare you can't find some.

But I tried to pick up some .284 Win brass for a friend a while back, and it was pretty scarce at the time, and/or expensive.

the 6.5x 284 is an excellant round just have to watch how many rounds you run through it.
Barrel life is a key issue for 6.5-284 shooters, because barrels can loose their accuracy edge in as little as 800 rounds, though 1000 rounds is more typical. But don't throw away that barrel merely because the groups start opening up.
It holds some of the records for the 1000 yard shots.

I never worry about brass for a .223, .308, or .30-06 based cartridge. It's very rare you can't find some.

But I tried to pick up some .284 Win brass for a friend a while back, and it was pretty scarce at the time, and/or expensive.

New 6.5 by 284 brass is now available.

I have a 6.5/284 built on a Weatherby MKV.
It has a 25" barrel with a 1 in 9" twist. I do not load it up for speed. I just want accuracy. So I get the 129 Grain Hornady and 130 Grain Accubond moving about 2900 FPS. I dont think that velocity would have any more negative effect on barrels than any other caliber given the same factors. But I'm no expert on that.
All I know is that it kills good!
The 129 SST's are the most accurate bullets I've used in all of my 6.5's. I don't think you could go wrong with either round you choose.
Midway, and Cabelas have brass and ammo from Hornady, Norma, and Nosler.
I suspect that this round will go commercial soon enough.

I believe Midway does have some factory 6.5-284 rounds available now.

it's a toss up, with a good bbl one is as good as the other. i'd lean towards the '06 to simplify the brass factor. but the 6.5x284 seems to be everyones dream date right now. personally i don't think that you could go wrong with either one of them.