6.5x284 load advice

[GunsnFitness]

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.

Ok thank you for the info. I guess you're right +-40fps won't really matter to much when it comes the performance end of it. Thank you.

 

[CaptnC]

I've been meaning to tag into this thread...

 

[dougduey]

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.
View attachment 93360

Greyfox
I'm sure you're very aware of this fact, but it was a revelation to me once I bought a MagnettoSpeed chrono. For a specific bullet, once you found the node and best load, no matter which powder you used, as long as you had the bullet doing the same velocity, it would have the virtually the same accuracy. I'm sure if you use RL26 and match the velocity of your Retumbo load, they would pretty much be the same in the accuracy department. Sounds like RL26 just doesn't quite get to the next accuracy node in your rifle, which is a bummer cuz we all like more velocity.......or at least I do!!
I based my 140 VLD load off of your Retumbo load, but couldn't quite get the same velocity you do. My load is 57.6gr of Retumbo at 2976 fps. It's stupid how accurate it is, so I stopped trying to get anything faster. I use RL26 with a 130gr Ballistic Tip that gives me about 50 fps more velocity than the 140 VLD Retumbo load

 

[CaptnC]

I use RL26 with a 130gr Ballistic Tip that gives me about 50 fps more velocity than the 140 VLD Retumbo load

doug...you mind sharing that that 130BT load data? I think I'm going to run 130's in mine for hunting. 300 yard shots are few and far between where I normally hunt so high BC bullets are only going to be used on long range steel. Then it will seldom be over 600 yards.

 

[Greyfox]

Greyfox
I'm sure you're very aware of this fact, but it was a revelation to me once I bought a MagnettoSpeed chrono. For a specific bullet, once you found the node and best load, no matter which powder you used, as long as you had the bullet doing the same velocity, it would have the virtually the same accuracy. I'm sure if you use RL26 and match the velocity of your Retumbo load, they would pretty much be the same in the accuracy department. Sounds like RL26 just doesn't quite get to the next accuracy node in your rifle, which is a bummer cuz we all like more velocity.......or at least I do!!
I based my 140 VLD load off of your Retumbo load, but couldn't quite get the same velocity you do. My load is 57.6gr of Retumbo at 2976 fps. It's stupid how accurate it is, so I stopped trying to get anything faster. I use RL26 with a 130gr Ballistic Tip that gives me about 50 fps more velocity than the 140 VLD Retumbo load

While I have had cases when I can achieve the same accuracy/ES duplicating the velocity with a different powder and the same bullet/seating depth, it can't be assumed that this will always be the case, particularly taking ES into account. I have experienced differences in accuracy/ES at the same MV with not only different powders, but different primers as well. I believe burn rate/pressure ramp of a particular powder can be a contributor to not only accuracy, but ES as well. In testing one of my 6.5x284's using the same 140 HVLD/seating depth, and 210M primer between Retumbo and R26. I was able to generate 2980FPS with each powder using 57gr of Retumbo vs. 54gr of R26. While the 200 yard, 5 shot groups were .2MOA for the Retumbo load, and .5MOA for the R26, which was very promising, the ES of the R26 load was 28FPS compared to <10FPS with Retumbo, a showstopper for 1000 yard LRH. I expect that I could tighten up the R26, and potentially even end up with a higher velocity load(+50-100FPS) with some further work, but as I have mentioned in other posts, I'm not sure the view is worth the climb given my current LRH results.

 

[demonjigger]

Any more loads for the 147's out there?

 

[Longtooth32]

While I have had cases when I can achieve the same accuracy/ES duplicating the velocity with a different powder and the same bullet/seating depth, it can't be assumed that this will always be the case, particularly taking ES into account. I have experienced differences in accuracy/ES at the same MV with not only different powders, but different primers as well. I believe burn rate/pressure ramp of a particular powder can be a contributor to not only accuracy, but ES as well. In testing one of my 6.5x284's using the same 140 HVLD/seating depth, and 210M primer between Retumbo and R26. I was able to generate 2980FPS with each powder using 57gr of Retumbo vs. 54gr of R26. While the 200 yard, 5 shot groups were .2MOA for the Retumbo load, and .5MOA for the R26, which was very promising, the ES of the R26 load was 28FPS compared to <10FPS with Retumbo, a showstopper for 1000 yard LRH. I expect that I could tighten up the R26, and potentially even end up with a higher velocity load(+50-100FPS) with some further work, but as I have mentioned in other posts, I'm not sure the view is worth the climb given my current LRH results.

I mainly shoot RL26...However I an going to try your Retumbo loads in my 6.5x284. Thanks for the insight...

 

[dougduey]

doug...you mind sharing that that 130BT load data? I think I'm going to run 130's in mine for hunting. 300 yard shots are few and far between where I normally hunt so high BC bullets are only going to be used on long range steel. Then it will seldom be over 600 yards.

Sure, it's 55.5 gr of RL 26 and my COAL is 2.980". I ran the Berger seating depth test and found that the BT (like the AB) likes jump and 2.98 was the winner
This is a hot load in my rifle

 

[dougduey]

doug...you mind sharing that that 130BT load data? I think I'm going to run 130's in mine for hunting. 300 yard shots are few and far between where I normally hunt so high BC bullets are only going to be used on long range steel. Then it will seldom be over 600 yards.

I just looked at my load data, and I gave you the load for the 140 gr BT. I used RL22 for the 130 BT

 

[CaptnC]

Thanks doug...what powder charge are you using with R22. I like that powder a lot. I get good results in a couple different calibers with it. My 6.5-06 like it a lot.

 

[dougduey]

Thanks doug...what powder charge are you using with R22. I like that powder a lot. I get good results in a couple different calibers with it. My 6.5-06 like it a lot.

54.0 gr of RL22 gave me 3058 fps. The !40gr BT using RL26 gave me 3019 fps.
Both have a COAL of 2.980". BT's & AB's like jump. Did a bullet seating depth test and found that 2.980" was the best. That's a lot of jump in my rifle since it's on a long action, but can't complain about the results!!

 

[CaptnC]

Thanks doug...if it' like mine my bullets rarely gets half way down the neck. My rifle apparently has a loooooong neck...with 120's and some 130's I can' reach the lands.

 

[26Reload]

Curious if any of you worked up loads of rl26 & 130gr lrab....
Being I have a 26 nosler I would rather shoot the 140 thru it....
Or if I can get a likely starting point on the rl26 & 130 lrab...
I have retumbo and just finished off a pound of 4831sc...just want to try the rl26...
Thx

 

[Kgkimerer]

Curious if any of you worked up loads of rl26 & 130gr lrab....
Being I have a 26 nosler I would rather shoot the 140 thru it....
Or if I can get a likely starting point on the rl26 & 130 lrab...
I have retumbo and just finished off a pound of 4831sc...just want to try the rl26...
Thx

I have almost settled on 50 gr. H4831, 140 Gameking,cci200. Can't remember coal