Hey guys i just tried 140 gr vld with h4831sc 49gr. Out of my 6.5 284 norma. My nosler book shows 49 gr as max load. Really happy with accuracy but it chonographed at 2700 i do have a 24" barrel. Is this speed what i should expect with this powder? Is anyone shooting more grains of this powder out of there 6.5 284 norma? With 58gr retumbo i got 2860fps havent shot longer ranges with the retumbo so dont have accuracy for it yet. Pic is the 140vld hunter at 600 with h4831sc. Should i just stick with it?
6.5-284 norma 140gr velocity
- Thread starter DPO
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Both my 6.5x284's with 24/26" barrels shoot 2945-2960 FPS with 53 gr of H4831sc, 210Fed timers, Lapua brass, 140 Berger VLD's. 2965-3010FPS with 57.5-58.5 gr of Retumbo, Fed 215's. both loads get sub .5MOA.
If I could consistently shoot half-o-bic lighter at 600 with a medium load I would stick to it. I would want to keep those lands and the barrel shooting the best. How much would you really gain with a higher MV if your groups open up to a Zippo lighter? Seriously if it works keep it. You can tinker but don't hesitate to go back to what works unless that's what you want.
BTW this
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/1-2-moa-complete-gun-package-1k-107615/index2.html
is only a tad over 2800 with a 26" barrel.
Keep it. It looks like you have a shooter.
BTW this
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/1-2-moa-complete-gun-package-1k-107615/index2.html
is only a tad over 2800 with a 26" barrel.
Keep it. It looks like you have a shooter.
You might want to check your chronograph/conditions, your Retumbo velocity of 2860FPS seems low by 60-100FPS. Your group shown is excellent. What is your seating distance from the lands? For mid range target/hunting that load would serve well and prolong barrel life with the lower velocity, but you are at 260 Remington performance. If you are planning to shoot game at longer ranges I would work on getting more velocity. Velocities in the 2950-3000FPS range gives excellent ballistics, seems to be an accuracy sweet spot, and is deadly on deer sized game with 140's at 1000 yards. It's very easy to be tempted to stop short velocity wise with the 6.5x284 because of the superb accuracy experienced during load development. I had the same thing happen to me when I first started shooting this caliber because I had never owned a hunting rifle that would hold .25MOA or better at 500 yards with absolute consistency. I found that with both my rifles, the accuracy did hold at higher velocities, as did a couple of my buddies that own 6.5x284's. Of course, rifles can be different, but it's well worth trying if you want to extract full potential. IMHO.
In my experience I have found that Fed210 Match primers, or standard large rifle primers give the best accuracy and ES with H4831sc as has other shooters. Retumbo produces the best velocities with Federal 215 Magnum or CCI Magnum primers but standard rifle primers can be used. You will generally see a decrease in velocity of 50-75 FPS using standard primers. I have gotten equivalent accuracy and ES with either LR or Magnums with Retumbo.
Tonight i worked up the charge of h4831sc at 52gr the bolt got a little sticky. However my velocity went to 2850 that was with federal 210 lr primer. Tomorrow will see if the accuracy stays the same. I would feel alot better for hunting at the 2850 mark. I will post my results. Thanks for all the info so far.
dk260
Active Member
Post your conditions and come-ups for that day and we can reverse calculate your velocity.
dk260
Active Member
Don't forget barrel twist and sight hieght.
Shot the 140vld hunter 52gr h4831sc group grew. Pushed bullet down .010 and it came back. Thanks Greyfox i was afraid to go above 49gr until i read your post now i have the accuracy i want and the velocity. This is the load im stickn with for whitetails this year. Hopefully the new pic comes through. And thanks everyone else for the info.
