If i'm getting 2700 with 120's from 15" 6.5X55 what would I gain from a 6.5- 284?????????

100-200 fps.
I shoot 140' in my 6.5-284's from 2700-2775 (16-18" barrels).

Ernie, I've shot winchester factory 140's but didn't have chrono with me at the time I could tell they were pretty anemic judging by felt recoil. it seems like the case capacity on 6.5X55 is about perfect for 15" barrel and IMR 4350 powder . is the 6.5-284 inherently more accurate because @ 3-400 yds 150 fps is nothing?

At 300-400 yards either is capable on deer.
Case design has a + for the 6.5-284, but the 6.5x55 Swede is more than capable accuracy wise.
Get what you want.

Dirtydawg are you actually getting 2700 with the 120 bullets from your 6.5 x 55.That would be great if you are,when i talked to Bob Baker at FA he said they were only getting 2350 to 2400 with the 120's thats why they went with the 16" barrel to get a little more out the round. He was saying because it's a tapered cartridge there was to much back trust to load it to it's full potential.

Ernie wound you know anything about this? The reason i ask is because i just put my order in for a 223 and 308 with FA's and if the 6.5 if pushing the 120's that fast i'm going to go ahead and add it on to the order.

Thanks Norm

Don't tell anyone, but I have a FA SS in 6.5 Swede coming very soon!

I'm with Ernie. It is not here yet, so I cannot say, yet.

Ernie and wtroper when you get your 6.5's in, please update us on loads and perfomance.

PS i went ahead and added the 6.5 to the order.

Ernie any recommendations on a rifle scope for the 223?

What do you want to use it for and how far?

If it were me & I had the 223 & 308 on order, I would consider the 338 Fed. I have the 7-08 & 338 Fed. I ordered the 6.5 for my lady because she has some arthritis in her hands and does not like much recoil anymore.

While I have not had much time to spend with it at the range yet (because of the weather & it's tax season), I really like what I have seen from the 338. I have not chronographed it, but my casual observation while whacking metal targets out to about 200 yds is that it does not matter. It hits everything you point it toward and hits with authority.

What do you want to use it for and how far? [/quote]


Ernie, I'd like to use it on coyotes and prairie dogs. Honestly i don't know how far the affective range is on a 223 in a 15" barrel.

the 223 in a 15" will easily take dogs out to 600 yards if your accuracy is good-That far enough?

Wow, i had no idea that you could reach out that far. Guess i need to be thinking around the 20+ power range with the scope. Thanks Ernie

When looking for bullets, find several of the highest BC bullets that will work with a 1-9 twist barrel.
A long time ago I killed a pd beyond 500 yards with a 10.5 inch 221 Fireball in a stock XP(40 grain NBT)--Scope was a 2-6 power LER.
Determination can get you a long ways.

Would you have to stay in the 50 to 55 gr. range or could you go down to 40 gr.?

What are your thoughts on the Nikon Monarch 5-20 x 44mm nikoplex reticle?

For longer distances I would go with the heavier bullets myself.
I was really stretching things with a 40 grainer and 10" barrel in a 221 Fireball.
For closer shots feel free to use the lighter bullets, but for wind bucking ability the higher BC bullets are best.
I do not have personal experience with Nikon optics, but they have a good record.

Wheelguns, yes with a max load of IMR 4350 and speer 120's 10' from muzzle 2700. with nosler 125 partitions 2575 . 223 in 14" contender and 2015 3250 fps nosler ballistc tips this load is .75 MOA all day long . I could ring the 400 meter gong (8") every time at the range but it made all the rifle shooters hate me so I quit Ralph

Dirtydawg and Ernie thanks for the info. Norm