6.5x284 mule deer/coues gun

[trophymaster]

Wanted to get some opinions/insight on the 6.5x284 for a dedicated coues/mule deer rifle for 700/800 yd range.

 

I'm predominantly an archery hunter but do put in for deer hunts here and out of state because the opportunity exists. I don't hunt elk with a rifle. Most shots would probably be 500yds or less, but if I couldn't get closer would like the option to 700yd or so.

 

I have a 300WM also, but this cartridge peeked my interest due to ballistics and less recoil and I do reload, so ammo cost isn't a concern.

 

Thanks!

[rcdinaz]

Good choice!

 

I have 2 6.5x284's, the only issue is it requires a long action. If I did another 6.5 it would probably be 6.5 SAUM or 6.5-06. Would save a little $ on brass and get a little more speed in a SA.

[RHINO]

I have a custom 6.5x284 and I love it. I wouldn't have any hesitation of putting a deer down a 1000 yards with mine. I shoot a 140 berger vld and at 700 yards its right at 2000 fps and 1200 ft-lb energy. Best shooting gun I have ever shot. It holds 1.5" or less groups at 600 yards and sub 4" groups at a 1000 yards. I retired my old deer gun 300 um.

[lancetkenyon]

Good round for deer/antelope. I have two 6.5mm rifles, a .260 Rem and a 6

5 SLR. Both shoot the 140 Berger HVLD @ 2840 & 2940fps respectively. The 6.5-.284 can get a bit more speed. Good brass is available, great bullet selection. There are faster 6.5s out there, but this is a solid choice.

[308Nut]

Wanted to get some opinions/insight on the 6.5x284 for a dedicated coues/mule deer rifle for 700/800 yd range.

 

I'm predominantly an archery hunter but do put in for deer hunts here and out of state because the opportunity exists. I don't hunt elk with a rifle. Most shots would probably be 500yds or less, but if I couldn't get closer would like the option to 700yd or so.

 

I have a 300WM also, but this cartridge peeked my interest due to ballistics and less recoil and I do reload, so ammo cost isn't a concern.

 

Thanks!

Going with the straight 284 Win (if you're stuck on the 284 case), your barrel life will increase dramatically. Offers more guilt free practice. Practice is key for hitting coues size targets at 700 yards plus. Windage and energy numbers are even better than the 6.5-284 and the recoils is still very manageable.

 

Don't get me wrong, the 6.5 version is an excellent cartridge but it's hard to watch the life drain out of a $750 barrel job on a screaming accurate barrel. There are better options IMHO. If you're stuck on it, go for it. It has great qualities.

[trophymaster]

Thanks for the comments so far.

 

Not dead set on the 6.5x284, but seemed to be readily available in a factory rifle, components, and good ballistics. As I am a novice reloader.

[lancetkenyon]

Novice reloader?

.260 Rem or 6.5 Creedmoor would fit the bill, great brass available, a little easier on the barrel, but still packs plenty of punch.

[yotebuster]

I have a custom 6.5x284 and I love it. I wouldn't have any hesitation of putting a deer down a 1000 yards with mine. I shoot a 140 berger vld and at 700 yards its right at 2000 fps and 1200 ft-lb energy. Best shooting gun I have ever shot. It holds 1.5" or less groups at 600 yards and sub 4" groups at a 1000 yards. I retired my old deer gun 300 um.

Sub 4" groups at 1000? You probably should take that field gun to an F class championship and set a few world records there bro..... Not saying your full of it. Just saying that you aren't averaging sub 4" groups at 1000.

[trophymaster]

By novice reloader, only been reloading for the last few years, so know the basics, but still a ton to learn. Guess I meant as a clarification of not knowing how to resize brass, etc. for some of the other cartridges out there 6.5saum, 6.5-06 etc.

 

Want to make sure I have enough punch for large mule deer also kiabab/strip size deer (250lb+)

[roninflag]

Trophy - i have two 6.5-284s, on of them is going to kaibab in 2 weeks. i just shot it thursday at 600 yards. very small groups. my brother had 3 6.5-284s and my son-in-law had one. also. what makes them so good is the rem 700 action and the krieger barrel, the shilen trigger. your results with a factory rifle will vary.

[RHINO]

Here is a picture of a 3 shot group at 560 yards (1.4"). Next time i go out i will take some pics and some video for you. Im not the best shot by no means, but the rifle is more than capable.

[azslim]

I'm going to set up a long range shooter using the 6.5 ELD-X bullet. But instead of going the 6.5x284 that route my friends have I'll go old school and pick up a .264winmag, same bullet, a bit more velocity and I can find rounds at most Mom & Pop type stores if necessary.

[lancetkenyon]

I have a buddy that built a 6.5-06 AI that I did load development for. Pushed a 140 SMK or 140 HVLD @ 3100+.

http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/66517-new-65mm-wildcat-cartridge/page-3

[roninflag]

the 6.5-284 is fatter. I would probably like a 6.5-06 for its smoother feeding. but already have the 6.5-284. my 7mm rem mag with a brake kicks half as much as the 6.5-284. my brother now shoots a .264 with a Krieger barrel and a brake. he shot a coues at 627 yards last year.

[trophymaster]

That 6.5-06 seems like a sweet cartridge also, with those kind of velocities would it tend to shorten barrel life? Or is the shortened barrel life label more geared towards benchrest shooting compared to a hunting rifle?

 

roninflag - Your tag a 12AE or 12AW?