This is just a general over view of what worked and didn't work with my 6.5x284. I had some good starting points from Grey Fox on here and just figured I'd unload some real info from what I've done so far.
Rifle-
Defiance Hunter LA
Bartlein Med Pal 4Groove 1/8 26"
Thunderbeast Ultra 7
BTO-2.508"
Latest load for accuracy and consistency Lapua brass, 140Berger HVLD, Fed GM 210M, Retumbo for 2915avg. No pressure and avg .350" or less. On 3shot groups. ES of 8.
The gun is SOOO sweet to shoot. Zero recoil and noise is very minimal.
What didn't work for my rifle so well was anything with the bullets seated more than .015 off. Seemed the further I got out of the rifling the groups opened up. I stuck with .010" off.
Ended up using this load mainly because I was in a crunch for time to make these hunts. With about 70shots down the barrel there is a significant margin to move up in FPS. I ran one load to 3025 with slight pressure.
First hunt was a cull 8 at 305yds. Shot facing head on. Shot entered exactly between the shoulder blades and dropped him on the spot. TONS of hemmoraging.
Next hunt 2 does at 501yds and 607yds and the 12" gong at 1000yds. Both does hit in the vitals both down in less than 15yds. Unreal damage from the Berger. Exit wounds near baseball size. The 12" gong was a single shot. Roughly 1"high and 5.25"right
Final hunt no pics, doe at 440yds. DRT with results identical to above.
I've always been a Barnes fan. These bergers have made me a believer. The devastation on game at a distance is I feel like almost unmatched. I hope this info helps someone make some decisions! I know it would have with me.
Rifle-
Defiance Hunter LA
Bartlein Med Pal 4Groove 1/8 26"
Thunderbeast Ultra 7
BTO-2.508"
Latest load for accuracy and consistency Lapua brass, 140Berger HVLD, Fed GM 210M, Retumbo for 2915avg. No pressure and avg .350" or less. On 3shot groups. ES of 8.
The gun is SOOO sweet to shoot. Zero recoil and noise is very minimal.
What didn't work for my rifle so well was anything with the bullets seated more than .015 off. Seemed the further I got out of the rifling the groups opened up. I stuck with .010" off.
Ended up using this load mainly because I was in a crunch for time to make these hunts. With about 70shots down the barrel there is a significant margin to move up in FPS. I ran one load to 3025 with slight pressure.
First hunt was a cull 8 at 305yds. Shot facing head on. Shot entered exactly between the shoulder blades and dropped him on the spot. TONS of hemmoraging.
Next hunt 2 does at 501yds and 607yds and the 12" gong at 1000yds. Both does hit in the vitals both down in less than 15yds. Unreal damage from the Berger. Exit wounds near baseball size. The 12" gong was a single shot. Roughly 1"high and 5.25"right
Final hunt no pics, doe at 440yds. DRT with results identical to above.
I've always been a Barnes fan. These bergers have made me a believer. The devastation on game at a distance is I feel like almost unmatched. I hope this info helps someone make some decisions! I know it would have with me.
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