The 6.5-284 Norma (6.5x55mmRB Norma) originated as a wildcat cartridge based on the .284 Winchester cartridge necked down to 6.5 mm.

History

The parent case .284 Winchester was created around 1963, but did not see extensive commercial use. The 6.5 caliber allowed for the use of long, aerodynamic bullets. In 1999, Norma submitted it to CIP. It has since been standardized as the 6.5mm-284 Norma.

Use

The 6.5-284 has been used extensively in benchrest competitions and is known as an extremely accurate long range round. Using an improved version of the 6.5-284, Rich DeSimone set a 1000 yd world record with a 1.564 in group. Rich DeSimone's 1000 yd record has been broken by Tom Sarver, who shot a 1.403 in group in 2007 using a .300 Hulk wildcat cartridge that is based on the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge. A 140 gr bullet in this caliber is typically fired at 3000 ft/s to 3100 ft/s.