VLD Pilot
Well-Known Member
Yeah that's very possible
“Stop the Hammering!”
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BrentM
Well-Known Member
Did you not ladder up to this charge and find out where max is before loading up that many?
As others said, it's hot. There are other powders that work better but 4831 is decent. I prefer 1000, retumbo, rl26. I would expect a 24-26 to run a 130 at 3000-3050. I run 140s in the 2950 range in a 24 and 3100 in a 28.
As others said, it's hot. There are other powders that work better but 4831 is decent. I prefer 1000, retumbo, rl26. I would expect a 24-26 to run a 130 at 3000-3050. I run 140s in the 2950 range in a 24 and 3100 in a 28.
Tex_Hunter
Well-Known Member
You didnt mention barrel length, but yes by almost any objective measure you are WAY over pressure here, regardless of what chamber/throat you are running. You are full 2grs over Max from Nosler's data (which in my experience is already pretty warm in any caliber I have used it for), and your velocity is approaching 200fps above their stated amount in a 26" barrel. If you were running a much longer barrel then maybe you would be fine if that was the only symptom, but combine that with primers that couldnt be any flatter if you smashed them with a hammer with multiple healthy looking craters in them, and everything is pointing to one really clear conclusion.
Is there a specific reason you felt the need to push this far over?
I've been running 2980 with the targets pictured above and reloader 23
Tex_Hunter
Well-Known Member
Follow on to my previous post. Velocity is going to be your best indicator of pressure in YOUR rifle. Depending on your barrel length, if you got 2940fps at 52.3grs then that is probably closs to the max in your gun as it most closely aligns with the max velocity in the Nosler book. What did your brass/primers look like at this load?
Stop chasing an arbitrary velocity threshold and look at other factors like SD/ES and overall group size. Those factors matter more at long range than another 50-100fps. Go read the "How Much Does it Matter" series on Precision Rifle Blog, incremental velocity has a negligible impact on hit percentage at ranges beyond 700yds (I remember is being something like <1% increase in hit probability for every 50fps increase in velocity), because vertical dispersion is not the major contributor to misses at long range. H4831SC is a very consistent and forgiving powder, find a safe load that shoots well and velocity will be what it is, learn your dope and move on.
I'm thinking about this PTG tool for mine, It's an investment, but I'm not ready to give up on the barrel I have just yet?http://pacifictoolandgauge.com/throat-and-neck-reamers/5226-17-cal-uni-throater-kit.html
I also got in, a 8# of Ramshot LRT, mostly for my 28 Nosler & 300 RUM, but these burn rate powders also work in 6.5x284.
I also got in, a 8# of Ramshot LRT, mostly for my 28 Nosler & 300 RUM, but these burn rate powders also work in 6.5x284.
VLD Pilot
Well-Known Member
I got a bunch of reloder 23. Been waiting on the 26 to come back in stock but it's hard to find. I've been running the 23 in my 22-250 Ackley improved.
I guess I forgot about 26 in my earlier post I tried that also and I did not get any pressure signs until about 3100 ft./s but the accuracy was not there Also forgot to mention I have a 26 inch barrel
Strange indeed. Every rifle is an individual. Ain't diversity grand!!
Yes, sobering words. Don't recall any pressure signs at 52.3. I did forget to mention, however that there was a 20 degree temperature differential (warmer outside) then the last time I went to the range on 3/15. That may be pertinent as well. Much leaned from this discussion. Thank you.
RAGGED EDGE
Well-Known Member
I buy once-fired brass of this caliber from a rifle manufacturer who tests it's rifles before shipment. They look every bit as bad as yours.
Yes but they are seasoned professionals. I shouldn't have tried this at home!
With PROOF loads!
VLD Pilot
Well-Known Member
Mine are all 28-30" barrels. I'll try some RL23 soon. I heard decent things about 26 but temp sensitivity was one thing I heard was iffy. 4831sc is about the best all around powder IMO for the 6.5-284 and 260s.
