The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

oomans,

We're hoping you can help resolve a dilemma regarding barrels that even Diogenes is flummoxed by: should our next barrel for our DTA Covert be in 6.5x55 Scandisqueagian or .284" Winchester?

We're looking for a capability to shoot out to 1,000 mards or even beyond (1,200 would be nice) but without resorting to something like .338 " We've narrowed it down to either the 6.5x55 or the .284" Win round, both of which are compatible barrels for our DTA. We've shot both cartridges in other rifles and found them both to be excellent. We'd just about settled on the 6.5 when a colleague bought a superb .284" Win from Dolphin and now we're torn between the two options. What are your thoughts?

We think this must be some kind of record: two whole days gone by and none of you oomans has expressed an opinion...

My 6.5-284 performed passably well today at 1,000 yards on Bisley Stickledown range, there was a 6.5x55 but he struggled with the wind somewhat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f6usQ1_E6Y

You've read Laurie Holland's treatise on the subject?

http://www.targetshooter.co.uk/?author=49

I think he covers about everything you need to know. To me the defining issue is whether you want the flexibility to use factory ammunition or not. Other than that there is not much in it ballistically.

Triffid

Sorry I misread what you wrote. That is comparing two 6.5mm's whereas you are looking at the difference between a 6.5 and a 7mm. But to me the defining issue is whether you want the flexibility to use factory ammunition or just handload. If you can get the 6.5x55 to produce velocities around Laurie's Magic 2800-2850 fps range, I don't think there's much in it ballistically.

Triffid