6.5-284 Load Development is done

Desert Fox · Dec 20, 2009

Just concluded load development for my 6.5-284. My goal of 2900 fps using the 140 grain bullet was reached without signs of pressure. With 50.3 grains of IMR 4831, the 140 grain Berger reach 2920 fps on average according to my Pack Professional chronograph. With half a grain more at 50.8 grain, 2960 fps was attainable again without pressure sign. This will be a good winter load but probably a bit hot for summer. I'll find out. This is already in the realm of my 140 grain 280 load but with bullet that have a much higher ballistic coefficient. It's time to stretch Marilyn's legs farther.

Here's a 5 shot group at 2960 fps average velocity. Nothing spectacular but very consistent. I suspect longrange performance will be much better.

corbin9191 · Dec 20, 2009

CONGRATS! Looks like it will put some meat in the freezer :grin:

Powerstroke · Dec 20, 2009

That's a beautiful piece of machinery you have there ! The B/C on those 140gr 6.5's is through the roof ! :wink: Very impressive to see them almost tickle that 3000fps mark.

You might see those settle down a little with some added range ??

DrMike · Dec 20, 2009

What a great cartridge, and it is certainly showing great promise in your hands. Thanks for posting the pictures. It is indeed a sweet looking rig.

JD338 · Dec 20, 2009

DF,

Very nice man, good job on the load development. Beautiful rifle and shoots like a winner.

JD338

Desert Fox · Dec 20, 2009

Powerstroke":2cbcn308 said:
That's a beautiful piece of machinery you have there ! The B/C on those 140gr 6.5's is through the roof ! :wink: Very impressive to see them almost tickle that 3000fps mark.

You might see those settle down a little with some added range ??

Thanks to you Mark. These are still the bullet that you've sent me. I have the hunting version on hand to try which is the mirror image of the target bullet but with a little less B.C but, I thought I'll use the target bullet for load development first. The 142 SMK shoots much better than the Berger but I much prefered to use the Berger for hunting.

I think with necksized brass and about 51 grains of IMR 4831 I'll be able to get 3000 from the 26" Lothar Barrel. I can still see the rounded edge of the Federal 210M even at 2960 and the extraction is smooth and easy. I believe the barrel have not settled down yet. I've heard Lothar takes a while to break.

Desert Fox · Dec 20, 2009

DrMike":36xrkozx said:
What a great cartridge, and it is certainly showing great promise in your hands. Thanks for posting the pictures. It is indeed a sweet looking rig.

Thanks DrMike! I'm still getting the feel of the thumbhole stock, the thickness of the Vortex reticule and the lightness of the rifle. In time, Marilyn will come to me. For right now she's just showing me a glimpse of what's in store. 8) 8)

Desert Fox · Dec 20, 2009

JD338":25lgeicz said:
DF,

Very nice man, good job on the load development. Beautiful rifle and shoots like a winner.

JD338

Thanks JD! I'm really excited on this one.

DrMike · Dec 21, 2009

For right now she's just showing me a glimpse of what's in store.

And a great vision she is presenting. This is still in break-in. I note in my loading notes that when I tweaked some loads for a custom rifle that was brought in last year. One of the smiths just finished making himself a 6.5-284 for 1000 yard shoots. I might have to build one for myself one of these days. Someone did some beautiful work on this rifle for you.

sask boy · Dec 21, 2009

What a beautiful set up, there is years of fun in that picture.
I never experimented with wildcats or fire forming.
Is the 6.5 X 284 a necked down to 280?
I have watched a couple of long range shooting shows and they were using the 6.5.

Blessings,
Dan

3006savage · Dec 21, 2009

You may want to take a look at RL17 in your 6.5. It is getting 150 + fps over 4831 and 4350 with that cartridge. See the link below. You could get 2900 with much lower pressures or you could run at the same pressure and get around 3100 fps.

http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/20 ... n-and-6xc/

Guy Miner · Dec 21, 2009

DF - great looking rifle!!! Should be a mighty fine hunter...

sask boy - the ol' .284 Win is the base for this, a short-action round with a considerable case capacity. Some years back the long-range target shooting crowd started necking it down to 6.5mm, and loading it long, mostly in long-action rifles, or single shot rifles where overall length isn't a problem. It's proven to be a remarkably successful long-range match cartridge, and now I'm hearing of more and more hunters turning to it as well. Recoil is typically mild, and long-range ballistics are excellent due to the high BC bullets avail and decent starting muzzle velocity.

Hornady, Nosler, Norma and Lapua even make 6.5-284 brass now, so necking down the .284 isn't even necessary.

When I'm shooting my .308 Win in long range matches, I've learned to really dislike the 6.5-284.... :grin:

Desert Fox · Dec 21, 2009

3006savage":xyi58la4 said:
You may want to take a look at RL17 in your 6.5. It is getting 150 + fps over 4831 and 4350 with that cartridge. See the link below. You could get 2900 with much lower pressures or you could run at the same pressure and get around 3100 fps.

http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/20 ... n-and-6xc/

Thanks for the info. Those rifles have 30 inch barrel. Mine is only 26. I'm not too crazy about sticky bolt lift. When I develop load, I'll set my perimeters and once I reach that, I won't go any further! pressure or no pressure. I like to extend the life of my brass too if I could. IMR 4831 is a good powder. They're kind of old brew but it's still reliable. IMR's are my go to powder when developing loads. It always works for me.

sask boy · Dec 22, 2009

Thanks Guy, there are so many calibers and so little time :wink:

Blessings,
Dan

Desert Fox · Dec 23, 2009

sask boy":eyhftsjj said:
What a beautiful set up, there is years of fun in that picture.
I never experimented with wildcats or fire forming.
Is the 6.5 X 284 a necked down to 280?
I have watched a couple of long range shooting shows and they were using the 6.5.

Blessings,
Dan

Dan, Just as Guy said, no fireforming needed for this cartridge. Lapua and Norma makes excellent brass. I prefered the Lapua over other brand because they're the best there is. As far as bullet goes, I'd choose Berger because it has the highest B.C on any of the commercially available 6.5 hunting bullet. I can't wait to test this bullet on games.

FOTIS · Dec 24, 2009

That is one pretty rifle. Nice!

SJB358 · Dec 24, 2009

That is an awesome looking rifle. Very smooth looking. Those Bergers look like some sleek projectiles. That really looks like a shooting machine. Scotty

Desert Fox · Dec 25, 2009

beretzs":7jflfdwy said:
That is an awesome looking rifle. Very smooth looking. Those Bergers look like some sleek projectiles. That really looks like a shooting machine. Scotty

I'm proud of the work I did on the stock. It came out really good although I have to redo the finish several time. Made a mistake in using lacquer rather than polyurethane. The lacquer can't withstand the cleaning solvents. I ended up stripping the lacquer and started over. This also my first attemp on pillar bedding and that came out okay also.

After putting it all together

And the first trip to the range

SJB358 · Dec 25, 2009

Again, that is an awesome set up. I am officially jealous of that rig! Great work. I saw the work you did on your Accumark and that looked really good too. Need to come and get some classes from you. Scotty

Desert Fox · Dec 25, 2009

Thanks for your kind words Scotty. Actually it's not that hard. You just need to have the patience of a saint to do a bedding job LOL. Amazing what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it. Of course you have to be a bit handy too. I have friends who can't even turn a screwdriver