6.5x284 load advice

[Longtooth32]

Agree with you Greyfox. I feel we going to give up too much in velocity with our 6.5x284's with the heavies. Should be a much better fit for 26 Noslers and up.[/QUOTE]

I have to agree with the heavies, but they are going pretty fast...

From my other post...getting over 3200fps with the 140s and almost 3100fps with the 150s

28" Proof Carbon barrel in a long action...easy extraction, no measurable bulge above case web. Cartridge fit back into chamber with no resistance with just a neck size...

Nosler brass, fireformed and neck sized, RL26 pushed with a Russian Mag primer...

 

[johnnyk]

Longtooth32,
What range of powder did you use with the 140's? Going to try the 147gn ELD-M's with RL26 and see what she'll do.
I have tried these bullets with Retumbo but I have yet to try RL26 in my 6.5-284. Thnx. johnnyk.

 

[Longtooth32]

Longtooth32,
What range of powder did you use with the 140's? Going to try the 147gn ELD-M's with RL26 and see what she'll do.
I have tried these bullets with Retumbo but I have yet to try RL26 in my 6.5-284. Thnx. johnnyk.

The 140s I am running 55gr to 56.7 with RL26

The 150s I am running 53grs to 54.7grs of RL26. Fireformed and neck sized....

 

[johnnyk]

Thnx. Will work something up this week, hopefully the weather will cooperate and I can get them chrono'd and on paper. johnnyk.

 

[johnnyk]

Tried the 147 M's today in my 28" Lothar Walther, heavy barreled Savage 112 in 6.5-284 Norma. Used RL26 with BR2 primers and Norma brass, OAL 2.6000". Loaded 54.0gn to 55.5gn.
Cleaned barrel before starting with Hoppe's 9, Foaming Bore Cleaner and then ammonia. Dry patched it out and let it set, barrel down, for 45 minutes.
54.0gn - First shot out was obviously affected by the clean barrel. Velocity was 2956fps with 2 and 3 being 3012 and 3005, respectively. Average was 2991fps with ES of 56 and SD of 30.51. Accuracy was .540".
54.5gn - 3059/3054/3041, avg: 3051fps, ES: 18, SD: 9.29, Acc: .924".
55.0gn - 3086/3083/3078, avg: 3082fps, ES: 8, SD: 4.04, Acc: .6915".
55.5gn - 3107/3104/3103, avg: 3104fps, ES: 4, SD: 2.08, Acc: .425".

All testing was down at 100yds. Temp.: 55-58*, BP: 29.96in.

Slight primer cratering on all loads, with no other pressure signs. Very pleased with this powder/bullet combo and I feel like I could possibly go up to 56.5-57.0gn but will stay here for now.

 

[Longtooth32]

Tried the 147 M's today in my 28" Lothar Walther, heavy barreled Savage 112 in 6.5-284 Norma. Used RL26 with BR2 primers and Norma brass, OAL 2.6000". Loaded 54.0gn to 55.5gn.
Cleaned barrel before starting with Hoppe's 9, Foaming Bore Cleaner and then ammonia. Dry patched it out and let it set, barrel down, for 45 minutes.
54.0gn - First shot out was obviously affected by the clean barrel. Velocity was 2956fps with 2 and 3 being 3012 and 3005, respectively. Average was 2991fps with ES of 56 and SD of 30.51. Accuracy was .540".
54.5gn - 3059/3054/3041, avg: 3051fps, ES: 18, SD: 9.29, Acc: .924".
55.0gn - 3086/3083/3078, avg: 3082fps, ES: 8, SD: 4.04, Acc: .6915".
55.5gn - 3107/3104/3103, avg: 3104fps, ES: 4, SD: 2.08, Acc: .425".

All testing was down at 100yds. Temp.: 55-58*, BP: 29.96in.

Slight primer cratering on all loads, with no other pressure signs. Very pleased with this powder/bullet combo and I feel like I could possibly go up to 56.5-57.0gn but will stay here for now.

Good info...but why did you load to a COAL that was so short?

Your testing will allow me to go over 3100fps with my 150 Sierras...

Report back tomorrow....

 

[johnnyk]

"but why did you load to a COAL that was so short?"

Measurement from ogive to base was 2.6060" with Stoney Point O.A.L. Gauge...backed it down sixty thousandths to an even 2.6000" (easy to remember and fits the caliber, i.e. 2.6000 = 260, lol). My OAL from tip to base was 3.2365". I don't like to use that measurement because the tips of some bullets vary quiet a bit.

"to go over 3100fps with my 150 Sierras..."

I feel like I could go higher with the 147's but 55.5gn's was as high as I had loaded. Definitely pleased with results so far. With RL26, 3100fps is probably safely "do-able" with the Sierra 150's and maybe 3050fps with the Berger 156's!

Keep me posted. johnnyk.

 

[Larson562022]

Hi,don't know alot of reloading information!but I have a friend reloading for me and Gunwerks had this recipe,not sure if it's the correct one each gun likes a different combo!good luck!

 

[Kgkimerer]

Lapua brass, H4831sc, CCI 200, Sierra 140 gr, Gameking COAL is 2.95

 

[Kgkimerer]

Oops

 

[Greyfox]

Hi,don't know alot of reloading information!but I have a friend reloading for me and Gunwerks had this recipe,not sure if it's the correct one each gun likes a different combo!good luck!View attachment 93355

This load is well proven in all three of my rifles with 140 Bergers and JLK's, the only difference being seating depth, and average velocity for each barrel. I have also gotten OK results with Reloader 26 which can procuce velocities 100+FPS faster, but I have been hesitant to switch because I have not yet achieved the same level of accuracy that I get with Retumbo. I would also like to feel more certain about the temperature stability. Retumbo has been very stable for me from 20-85F.
IMO, the greatest attribute of the 6.5x284 is the benchrest grade accuracy possible....in a hunting grade rifle.

 

[GunsnFitness]

New here and this thread is awesome! Like a few of you I have a 6.5-284 in the works (currently in parts and pieces in my shop) and reading all of this really makes me want to get it finished. I do have one question though. I planned on shooting the 142g Nosler ABLRs out of my gun, currently I have a 31" 1-8 twist Heart blank and was planning on having it finished at 28"... but it seems that everyone is running at 26" and below. Is there a significant difference that can be lost/gained in those two inches? I know with my 300RUM there is a big difference but could be due to using slower burning powder. Any thoughts/info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Greyfox]

New here and this thread is awesome! Like a few of you I have a 6.5-284 in the works (currently in parts and pieces in my shop) and reading all of this really makes me want to get it finished. I do have one question though. I planned on shooting the 142g Nosler ABLRs out of my gun, currently I have a 31" 1-8 twist Heart blank and was planning on having it finished at 28"... but it seems that everyone is running at 26" and below. Is there a significant difference that can be lost/gained in those two inches? I know with my 300RUM there is a big difference but could be due to using slower burning powder. Any thoughts/info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

You can generally figure 20 FPS/in of barrel length from 24-30" . I say generally because a specific barrel can vary in absolute velocity. My 24" barrel is faster then my 26". For hunting purposes I like a 24-26", without the muzzle brake for easier handling. I doubt any game I've shot could tell the velocity difference in a few inches.

 

[IndianaMatt]

140 gr Berger VLD
49.5 gr R17
Lapua brass
Kreiger 8 twist 24 inches
PTG trued Action
McMillan A5
The rifle shoots much better than I can.