6.5-284 load development (changing powder)

[Houck28]

So I built this rifle, I'll give specs in a minute. I had a little bit of trouble figuring it out. Still not there. Barrel did not like my powder selection I'm guessing.

Also you can see in the photos that what I'm guessing is, nosler loaded these factory rounds a tad hot. Not sure if it was a bad batch or what. I've contacted them to see what they think could've happened. Unfortunately it blew shrapnel down my barrel and had some in my magazine.
I bought a box of trophy grade ammo for a barrel break in before doing my ladder test.

Specs

RIFLE
Tikka t3x action
Xcaliber 1:7 6groove 26in #4
Factory stock
Vx5hd
Nightforce 20moa rail
Warne rings

LOAD
6.5-284
Col: 2.96
143eldx
RL 19
Lapua brass
Fed 210

Started at 48 gr and worked up by .5 all the way to 50gr.

No pressure signs on any of sorts.

Middle target is 48 gr.
Bottom left 48.5
Top left 49 (shooter error, shot high off the bags)
Bottom left 49.5
Top left 50

Thinking of going with a slower burning powder due to a 26in barrel. Maybe imr 4831 or Rl22View attachment 103828 View attachment 103829 View attachment 103830 View attachment 103832 View attachment 103833 View attachment 103834

Let me know any suggestions or comments feel free.

Try RL26 that's what I have been doing and it's been shooting great and it burns slow too .

 

[Unoboats]

I had good luck with RL19 and my 6.5x284- 140 Amax and 50.5gr- My alternate choice for powder would be H4831sc.

I second the H4831SC. Loaded Sicrocco 130's for this load 3 shots off a load development sheet. The load was 52.5 g. Out of a 26.5" 1:8 twist barrel
(Frozen Fiber bbl. )

 

[ncwg2boatguy]

I'm running 54.8 great of 4831sc 3044fps
140gr RDF. It's running 3/4 or better moa @200 if I do my part.

 

[Txrockman]

I run 50gr 4831SC with 143 ELD-x and shooting .30 inch groups also 140gr Nosler RDF's and same results. 26" barrel Cooper

 

[shovelhead]

+1 on the retumbo! Per a request to greyfox several years ago on this topic..... I have had exceptional results with lapua, retumbo, 215m's, and Berger 140's in several rifles. The cut rifle barrels seem to work well with less jump in my findings. I recently have been digging into rel 26 in the creedmoor and having the same results..... not sure if I want to go back to the drawing board with the others. Wicked results in the creedmoor with that powder though. Makes a guy scratch his head?? 135's running 1/2 moa at 3060 (lab radar..... which by the way was 30fps off my chrono during load development). Not sure if a medium sized game could tell the difference in that 5 grains. Best of luck! This sure is a great site to get rid of some of that head scratching!

 

[CaptnC]

Tagging in...plan to hunt with my 6.5x284 this fall.

Everyone really likes retumbo...I need to hop on that band wagon!

 

[Danehunter]

I winder what the "sweet spot" of nodes exist between the 6.5/284 and the 6.5 PRC (same barrel length)?
They are close in powder capacity and velocity so there should be some best bullet weights and even powder and primer types/brands.

Jus' wondering'...

Eric B.

 

[Wachsmann]

I have heard ruger will be producing the first mass produced 6.5PRC's. Hopefully Hornady will support the market a ton better than Remington has done with there ultra mag brass. I need another barrel for my savage 6.5X284. It actually lasted right around 4300 rounds before opening up from .5 inch groups to something about 1.3 to 1.5 inch groups. The throat is worn a whole lot. The gun was never ran real fast around that 2860 mark. It showed pressure always very early on the loads for the rifle so I just decided that 2860 to 2870 was enough. Not sure if I want to stay with the 6.5 or go to something like the 280 Ackley running a 168.

 

[Sgt. grizz]

I have been using 147 eld-m and H4831 I also use Norma mrp2 both work great

 

[dennisinaz]

View attachment 104107 View attachment 104106 View attachment 104106
Hello buddy! I would suggest RL17. Start at 47grains up to 50 grains. This is what we do at IN-RUT Rifles. You'll find your sweetheart of a load by doing this. We've sold a lot of 6.6x284's this is very accurate load.

 

[dennisinaz]

I have used a lot of R17. I had good results with it. My last two barrels only lasted 600 to 800 rounds.
R17 is very hard on them. 4831 and VV N160 were both good for 1800-2000 rounds of competitive accuracy. R17 is mostly good for velocity

 

[Backcountry_IDN]

I have used a lot of R17. I had good results with it. My last two barrels only lasted 600 to 800 rounds.
R17 is very hard on them. 4831 and VV N160 were both good for 1800-2000 rounds of competitive accuracy. R17 is mostly good for velocity

Thank you for that info. Good to hear!

 

[mmgravy]

I have been happy with Vias brakes over the years......

 

[FURMAN]

RL17 is another very temp sensitive powder. Why anyone would use it in a hunting rifle is beyond me. I guess if you're only shooting a couple of hundred yards it probably does not matter but then why would you be spending a bunch of money on a high dollar rifle and wasting time and money reloading? Stick with a Hodgdon Extreme.