6.5-284 barrel/Semi-custom build questions

[Screwtop.243]

Hi All,

I'm contemplating having a 6.5-284 put together for me by the Savage Custom shop. This thing will essentially be like the Predator Max 1 Model 10 rifles they offer commercially.

I've read up about it a little bit and know that barrel life can be a concern with the 6.5-284, but I think this may be less of a concern for a hunting application. Here are my questions:

1) Should I opt for a 24" or 26" barrel? I'm leaning toward the later but wanted to see what the consensus was. In addition to potential accuracy/velocity benefits, I was thinking that the extra length would allow me to have the barrel "taken back" later but don't know if this represents a significant benefit or not.

2) Muzzle Brake? Should I even bother on an estimated 9.5 lb. rig? Maybe I should just get it threaded?

3) Has anyone used the Savage Custom shop? Were you happy with the results?

Thanks for any replies, and Happy New Year!

ST.243

 

[davsco]

you probably do reload but if you don't, consider something else that isn't $50 - $60 + a box and not super easy to find.

threaded at least gives you the option but you don't "need" a brake for that caliber or gun weight for hunting applications. also for hunting, thinking 24" would be enough, but look at some ballistics charts and see how the energy drops at various distances vs how far you plan to shoot.

https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Keywords=cooper+6.5
https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Keywords=fierce+6.5&Sort=13&PageSize=48
https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Keywords=montana+6.5&Sort=13&PageSize=48

my BIL had two coopers and really liked them but still sold them to get h-s precisions. i'm looking at getting either a cooper or perhaps montana or fierce but don't have a lot of feedback on them. i guess i'm saying to consider off the shelf guns from other companies instead of or alongside a rem or savage custom shop build.

 

[Screwtop.243]

you probably do reload but if you don't, consider something else that isn't $50 - $60 + a box and not super easy to find.

my BIL had two coopers and really liked them but still sold them to get h-s precisions. i'm looking at getting either a cooper or perhaps montana or fierce but don't have a lot of feedback on them. i guess i'm saying to consider off the shelf guns from other companies instead of or alongside a rem or savage custom shop build.

Thanks, davsco. Yes, I do reload and have had alot of fun with the 6.5 X 47L, so I'm looking forward to see how I can do with the Norma. I have several Coopers and like them but I think Savage is offering so much bang for the buck that I'm finding it hard to justify the extra $1,000 to $1,250 for a Cooper Long Range. Also, the Cooper triggers can be "hit or miss" in terms of their consistency. They break clean, but I've had them fluctuate 8 to 10 oz., on 2 separate rifles. I have 2 Savage Model 10's and the accutriggers are so good, they literally shoot themselves into 1/2 MOA all day long.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Made me look up the Predator Max 1 , looks like an interesting project there .

24 vs 26 is essentially personal preference . If you don't have strong feelings , since a 24in 6.5 bore bbl is already a std offering , it might be easier/ faster/ less expensive to roll with that .

 

[davsco]

Made me look up the Predator Max 1 , looks like an interesting project there .

me too, that's a pretty nice looking blaster there

 

[dreadpirate]

Someone told me it had to be marked HBAR

 

[Screwtop.243]

Made me look up the Predator Max 1 , looks like an interesting project there .

24 vs 26 is essentially personal preference . If you don't have strong feelings , since a 24in 6.5 bore bbl is already a std offering , it might be easier/ faster/ less expensive to roll with that .

Thanks. I was quoted $1,430 for the 26'' tube and a brake, so a semi-custom rig for a $430 premium over the standard retail offerings is not too bad. I've always been a fan of more bore when I can get it (in a manner of speaking).

 

[Augie]

Another semi custom available in that price range are the rifles built by E R Shaw, they use Savage actions and their barrels. I've priced a varmint contour out at 1200.00 and may have them build it later this year, they say 6 months but most builds seem to take less time.
http://www.ershawbarrels.com

Here is their page with some customs already to go, their are some 6.5 Creedmoor available, did not see any 6.5-284 available right now but they will build almost anything, some calibers they only build on the single shot action.

http://www.shawprecisionguns.com/shop.php?s=category&cid=3019

 

[Screwtop.243]

Another semi custom available in that price range are the rifles built by E R Shaw, they use Savage actions and their barrels. I've priced a varmint contour out at 1200.00 and may have them build it later this year, they say 6 months but most builds seem to take less time.
http://www.ershawbarrels.com

Here is their page with some customs already to go, their are some 6.5 Creedmoor available, did not see any 6.5-284 available right now but they will build almost anything, some calibers they only build on the single shot action.

http://www.shawprecisionguns.com/shop.php?s=category&cid=3019

This is good to know, Augie. Thanks very much!

 

[davsco]

Another semi custom available in that price range are the rifles built by E R Shaw

interesting, but they don't appear to do lefty's with synthetic stocks.

 

[Augie]

interesting, but they don't appear to do lefty's with synthetic stocks.

Worth a call to ask, if Savage has a lefty action I would bet they can build a rifle.

 

[Biggfoot44]

I would have pointed out E.R. Shaw's drop in Savage bbls , including duplicating factory contour . But I had the impression he wanted totally turn key .

But if not : Buy Max Predator 1 in ( whatever cal using .308 sized bolt head ) . Buy factory contour bbl in 6.5-.284 from Shaw . Unscrew factory bbl , rescrew Shaw bbl , reinsert into factory stock . Possibly need different magazine .

Left over with orig factory bbl - Either use for another project , or list in MDS classifieds.

 

[Augie]

I would have pointed out E.R. Shaw's drop in Savage bbls , including duplicating factory contour . But I had the impression he wanted totally turn key .

But if not : Buy Max Predator 1 in ( whatever cal using .308 sized bolt head ) . Buy factory contour bbl in 6.5-.284 from Shaw . Unscrew factory bbl , rescrew Shaw bbl , reinsert into factory stock . Possibly need different magazine .

Left over with orig factory bbl - Either use for another project , or list in MDS classifieds.

Shaw is building complete rifles, the home page has a link to their on-line rifle builder,you can add the barrel, action, stock of your preference and it gives an idea of cost and what the complete rifle will look like.
If you do a Google search there are some reviews of their complete rifles out there and they are quite positive.
In the retail store section of their website they have some complete rifles that are available right now, I have my eye on this 22-250.


http://www.shawprecisionguns.com/shop.php?s=item&pid=68663

 

[Augie]

Couple reviews of complete rifles,
https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2017/3/27/hardware-er-shaw-mark-vii-rifle/

https://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/e-r-shaw-mark-vii-vs-6-5-creedmoor-rifle-exclusive-video/


Did note a couple things, Shaw does not use the barrel nut, for the shooters that think the barrel nut is ugly that is a plus and for those that like the convenience of the nut that would be a negative. It is also available in left hand action.

 

[Yoshi]

Also checkiut Northland Shooters Supply.

 

[Screwtop.243]

Couple reviews of complete rifles,
https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2017/3/27/hardware-er-shaw-mark-vii-rifle/

https://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/e-r-shaw-mark-vii-vs-6-5-creedmoor-rifle-exclusive-video/


Did note a couple things, Shaw does not use the barrel nut, for the shooters that think the barrel nut is ugly that is a plus and for those that like the convenience of the nut that would be a negative. It is also available in left hand action.

Augie, the more I look at this ER Shaw stuff, the more intrigued I get. That spiral fluting really has me hot and bothered. Makes economic sense too. The jury is definitely still out on this.

Best,

ST.243