The 6.5-.284 can be finicky to load. I have 2, one for mostly long range hunting woodchucks and a few deer and the other is a heavy bench 1,000 yard target gun. I built them using the same reamer and the loads are close but what one gun likes the other does not.
In my hunting rifle I'm using:
6.5-.284 Lapua Brass
140 g. Hornady A-Max
53.0 g. H4831sc
Federal 210 primer
Seated right on the lands
Average velocity of 2973
28" barrel
Rifle shoots 1/4 moa and has an S.D. of 5
In my target rifle I'm using:
6.5-.284 Lapua Brass
142 g. SMK
53.3 g. H4831sc
Federal 210 primer
Seated right on the lands
Average velocity of 3010
30" barrel
Rifle shoots under 1/4 moa and has an S.D. of 2
I've worked up to 54 g. of H4831sc just showing pressure in both guns. The target rifle at 53.0 g. will shoot 1moa and S.D. is 22. (Terrible) It must be fed 53.3 g. and the bullet must be kept seated right at the lands or this gun won't shoot worth a **** at 1,000 yards.
The hunting rifle is a little more lenient. 52.8 - 53.5 g. H4831sc. All shot well but settled on the even 53.0 g. The bullet seating depth is the same in this rifle as the target, it must be kept right at the lands.
I'm pretty anal about brass prep and making everything as identical as I can and segregate the odd balls out. I don't normally load more than 25 rounds the same as I'm constantly keeping an eye on the seating depth. The 6.5-.284 is notorious for burning out a throat quickly. I've shot 236 rounds through my hunting rifle in 4 years and my seating depth as moved .023" , but if throated correct from the start you can get between 800 and 1,000 rounds before the barrel needs set back. Hope this helped.
