Taking my .270 and turning it to 6.5-284?

muledhunter

New member
I've been reading about this. The bolt faces are the same. and guys are making the 6.5 a long action. Is it as simple as getting a new barrel on it or is there more to it that what I am reading? If anyone is a gunsmith or knows more about these custom builds I would love some insight. Thanks

This is on a rem 700 action
 
You are good to go. Have your action trued while the old barrel is off and have a new barrel chambered, threaded and crowned and you're set.
 
Originally Posted By: muledhunterI've been reading about this. The bolt faces are the same. and guys are making the 6.5 a long action. Is it as simple as getting a new barrel on it or is there more to it that what I am reading? If anyone is a gunsmith or knows more about these custom builds I would love some insight. Thanks

This is on a rem 700 action

Do you already have a gunsmith to do the work? If not, I'd highly recommend Defensive Edge, they're in Rathdrum Id. which is pretty close to Spokane, They build excellent stuff and have the fastest turn around time of any build I've ever had done.

As was mentioned, I'd have the action blueprinted (some call it trued, accurized etc. but it's pretty much all the same when it's done by a skilled gunsmith) it'll add a couple hundred dollars to your build but it's money well spent. Also, depending on your stock, I'd also have the gunsmith that does your 6.5 build, bed the stock. That is unless it's one of the cheesy plastic stocks, in that case I'd look into just replacing it with something a little better before you spend any amount of money having it bed. I also recommend getting a barrel with a fast enough twist rate so you can shoot the 140's. It doesn't mean you have to shoot them but if you don't get a barrel with a fast enough twist you won't be able to if you ever decided you wanted to.

Another option you may want to think about is talking with Benchmark-barrel.com (they're in Arlington Wa.) they not only make excellent barrels but they can do all the other work as well. They do great work and are very easy to work with.

The 6.5-284 is an excellent choice for just about anything but like anything else, have it all done right the first time and your chances go up exponentially it'll turn out very well.
 
Shawn does good work.
So does Darrell Holland.
A 6.5-06 will feed smoother, but a 6.5-284 will work good too.
I have both FWIW
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Originally Posted By: xphunter
A 6.5-06 will feed smoother, but a 6.5-284 will work good too.
I have both FWIW
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Since you have both and I know you know what you're talking about, you'll be the perfect person to ask.

Is it really that noticeable?? I'm not doubting you but I've got a 6-284 in a SA 700 and my dad has a 6.5-06AI in a LA. I've heard people say this multiple times, how the 06 wildcats feed so much smoother but I'll be darned if I can tell a bit of difference between my 6-284 and my dad's 6.5-06AI. Maybe it's because his has had a lot of the taper taken out of the case when the shoulder gets blown out so his isn't as smooth as one that's un-improved, I don't know. Both of our rifles were built by the same guy so maybe he just did an exceptional job messaging the feed rails on both of them.

Is there anything specific as to why you say that? I hear it a lot so there must be something to it or so many people wouldn't say, I'm just curious what it is about them that make so many say that.

Are both of yours set up similar and if so, which one do you like better? My dad shoots Berger 130's and the 140's his 6.5-06AI is his all time favorite rifle of any that he has.
 
Originally Posted By: RabonI would think it would be easier to rebarrel to a 6.5-06 but don't really know.

Wouldn't matter, either way.

I'd go with the one that has lapua brass properly stamped...
 
Originally Posted By: pahntr760Originally Posted By: RabonI would think it would be easier to rebarrel to a 6.5-06 but don't really know.

Wouldn't matter, either way.

I'd go with the one that has lapua brass properly stamped...

Not all regular 700 long actions will feed the fatter rebated rim 284 case without having a competent gunsmith open up the feed rails slightly.

You probably need to try feeding some dummy rounds out of the magazine to see if it will be an issue with your particular action. Obviously, you won't be able to chamber the fatter dummy rounds in the 270 barrel, but feeding them completely from the magazine onto the feed ramp will alert you to whether feeding might be an issue with your action.

Obviously, an action designed for the 270 should/will feed the 06 case effortlessly.
 
i have two . one is a single shot, 16lb, sa. the repeater is a long action. both are awesome. doubt they are better than 6.5-06, except you can get lapua brass ready made in 6.5-284. for me the barrel make ( quality) is most important.
 
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I have a 6.5x284 on a long action pre 64 M70 and a couple of pre 64 M70's winchesters in 270. For a hunting gun I would recommend sticking with the 270 and shooting a 140 or 150 Berger VLD. My 270 shoots flatter than my 6.5 and the case is the correct size for the action. The 6.5x284 is a great cartridge but it has its negatives too. Run the numbers with those bullets I mentioned, I bet you stay with your 270.
 
My set-up's are different.
If this has been your experience I would recommend you to simply go with what you prefer.

Originally Posted By: B23Originally Posted By: xphunter
A 6.5-06 will feed smoother, but a 6.5-284 will work good too.
I have both FWIW
tt1.gif


Since you have both and I know you know what you're talking about, you'll be the perfect person to ask.

Is it really that noticeable?? I'm not doubting you but I've got a 6-284 in a SA 700 and my dad has a 6.5-06AI in a LA. I've heard people say this multiple times, how the 06 wildcats feed so much smoother but I'll be darned if I can tell a bit of difference between my 6-284 and my dad's 6.5-06AI. Maybe it's because his has had a lot of the taper taken out of the case when the shoulder gets blown out so his isn't as smooth as one that's un-improved, I don't know. Both of our rifles were built by the same guy so maybe he just did an exceptional job messaging the feed rails on both of them.

Is there anything specific as to why you say that? I hear it a lot so there must be something to it or so many people wouldn't say, I'm just curious what it is about them that make so many say that.

Are both of yours set up similar and if so, which one do you like better? My dad shoots Berger 130's and the 140's his 6.5-06AI is his all time favorite rifle of any that he has.
 
I vote for a 6.5x284. I had a 6x284 built by benchmark barrels on a 700 LA and never had a single problem or felt difficult to cycle. I was going to build a 6.5x284 but a member on here talked me into a 264 win mag to get full potential of my long action.
 
I have a bell and carlson a2 on the gun already. 6.5x284 seems to be a route i want to go as brass is easy to get. and I want to do a 1-8 twist. Everyone agree on that?
 
Originally Posted By: muledhunterI have a bell and carlson a2 on the gun already. 6.5x284 seems to be a route i want to go as brass is easy to get. and I want to do a 1-8 twist. Everyone agree on that?

Good deal, then you've got something decent they can work with and since that has the alum. bedding block it'll just need a skim bedding and maybe some around the recoil lug and if the barrel doesn't sit in the middle of the barrel channel, which is often the case, they can fix that for you, too.

With the speeds you get from the 6.5-284, I'd think a 1-8tw would be enough for just about any bullet you'll want to use.

Do you know what barrel Company you're going to use or a barrel length and contour/profile in mind, fluted, un-fluted?? The barrel channel of what your stock currently has and what it'll allow will somewhat dictate the contour/profile you can use.

The 6.5-284 is one of my all time favorites.

If you're looking for any brass I've got a couple hundred rounds of brand new Norma 6.5-284 I'll make you a good deal on.
 
Im going to go with a lighter varmint fluted most likely. Not sure on what make yet. trying to keep this on as much of a budget as possible. but obviously thats not very easy to do. thanks for the help guys
 


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