Bought a Cooper M52 in 6.5-284 a few years ago, no regrets on caliber or rifle. Lapua and Nosler brass are not difficult to find. The case design much like the Ackley Improved cartridges does not stretch as much as more tapered cases so case trimming is not required as often.

If you are thinking about a barrel less than 24 inches I would look at other cartridges, but with 24 inches or longer barrel I really like the 6.5-284. Be it at the range or hunting it works great.

6.5-06 is a good option so is the 6.5-284 with factory ammo available tuff to beat

Y'all are killing me! Lol
I might just tell Derrick to surprise me when he is done! Lol
That way I don't have to make the decision.

Since you have a 7 Rem Mag (the big brother) why build a 280 or 280 A.I. (the middle brother)?

You have a 30-06 action but no 6.5mm cartridge. So 6.5-284 or 6.5-06 is the next logical choice.

Or run a 6mm at lightening fast, barrel burning speed, as Riverrider suggested.

There's three options. Pick one.

If you do go 6mm, might as well get the twist to stabilize the heaviest 6mm bullet you can get your hands on.

6-06 with the 105s is interesting

I wonder how fast it would go?

I bid 3200 fps +

With something like Reloader 22 or 7828 you might even edge that by 50-75 fps...

Ed

Sounds about right. Was going to say about the same as 240 WBY but this sums up the 6mm-06

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammo/ammunition_rs_6mm06wildcat_200808/

6.5-284 would be my vote. I'd run one in our benchrest matches if I could get more life from a barrel or I chambered them myself.

Another vote for the 6.5-284

6.5-284 it is!

Good call!

Now get you some 140 gr 6.5 mm bullets.

That is the plan. I am going to start buying all the stuff now.
Reasons I went with 6.5-284
Barrel life is better than 26 Nosler
4350 and 4831 are good powders for 6.5-284 (I already have a bunch)
Only a few hundred FPS slower
It is a proven caliber

After Derrick finishes this one he will be finishing out the New barreled action I got. Along with restocking and timney trigger in a .270. But I want to get this one knocked out first.

Congrats & good choice...I don't see any way in the world you won't be happy.

If finances allow and you shoot allot, maybe buy two barrels and have Derrick chamber both at the same time??

Cant wait to see it.... I like what Derrick is doing.....

Love the 6.5x284. I want to take to task barrel life. I have a 220 swift with 680 "ish" rounds down the tube, I am going to make an effort the next 2 years to shoot it out just to prove that it is harder than you think...no long shooting strings, just treat it normal, most guys worried about barrel life will never shoot it enough to replace a barrel. I can afford 22 bullets and some powder...so here we go...

Go prairie dog shooting with it, and report back.

Every year I shoot about 500 rounds in 2 1/2 days. So about every three years I have to replace the barrel on that rifle.

don't mean to high jack the op, I have a couple of 700 BDL's with varmit barrels, 22-250 & 6MM, I don't shoot either, both are 99% condition, what could I go to & not change barrel, I already have a 6MM-22

22-250 could be turned into a 22 Creedmoor or 22-243. But with the twist it has I wouldn't mess with it.

The 6mm barrel could be rechambered in 6 Creedmoor or 243.

My smith says setting back or rechambering is more work than a barrel blank, though.

Sounds like a grand idea. I have been a few times. I have a friend in eastern WY that I have a standing invite to, it was fun, but the time away when the hunting is good is tough. I go to my friends in Raton almost every year, but it is more spot and stalk dogs as the density in the towns is not that good, here I am 2 years ago wacking a few dogs with a 222...



You should try to salt bath nitride your barrel (QPQ), it will sure extend the life of your barrels...I have a friend that has one that has over 8,000 rounds of 8x57 down the tube. It will still hold MOA. They use it in a Cinema in Germany. Lots of rounds get shot

Ed

It's a ton of fun when you're in a dense town isn't it.

I'll look into the salt nitride.