6.5x284

[Vince]

As some of you may remember I experienced problems with my loads for the 6.5x284 last year.

I had what I thought were good loads worked up for my rifle but all of a sudden I started blowing primers and showing other signs of high pressure. Needless to say I became a bit trepidatious.

I cleaned the rifle and put it back in the safe. Now, feeling emboldened, I will make another foray in to loading the caliber.

I'm going to try the Barnes 127 LRX bullets with the new IMR 4451. I'm anxious to see how it goes. I'll load some tomorrow and take it to the range next week.

Vince

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[DrMike]

Best of luck on this, Vince. I'm certain things are going to work out quite well for you. What I've seen of the new Enduron powders is positive.

 

[Vince]

Best of luck on this, Vince. I'm certain things are going to work out quite well for you. What I've seen of the new Enduron powders is positive.

True dat!

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[SJB358]

Vince, the 4451 isn't a bad choice but I think your real performance will come from slower powders. The 6.5x284 is really about like a 6.5-06. 4451 or similar may do all you want but 7828 or the newer 7977 along with the old reliables would really make it sing. Seems like most cartridges run better and more consistently when the powders and load densities are matched up.

 

[Dwh7271]

Vince,
If you would like, get a case capacity and run a few (10 or so) across the chrono. Once you have capacity and a baseline on actual speed we can more accurately predict in QuickLoad how your individual rifle, loads and such will perform with the powder you have chosen.
Obviously you don't have to do this but it may help take away some of the trepidation due to the blown primers and such previously.
I also agree completely with Scotty on the powders. While the 4451 may be fine with the lighter bullets if you're going to run some 140s or so out of it you may want to use a slightly slower powder. JMO. Believe it or not I have recently been messing with H1000 in the 6.5-06 and the AI version with some pretty impressive results with 140s.

 

[Vince]

The heaviest I plan on running is the 130 grain bullet.
Thank you very much for your kind offer Dwh. Don't be surprised if I take you up on it.

Vince

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[SJB358]

Even with the 127-130's you plan to run you'll benefit from slower powders Vince. I think you'll end up with a fuller case, speed and probably more consistent results over the long run.

 

[Vince]

I'll give it a look.
Right now I'm just using what I have on hand.

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[sask boy]

Good luck Vince, I am sure that you will get it to work. I am looking forward to your range report along with photos I hope :mrgreen:!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[RiverRider]

I had what I thought were good loads worked up for my rifle but all of a sudden I started blowing primers and showing other signs of high pressure. Needless to say I became a bit trepidatious.

I know that feeling well! A few years ago Reloder 17 got nasty on me for some reason...can't even recall which cartridge I was trying it in, but I just couldn't reach for that jug of powder anymore.

 

[Vince]

Went to the range this morning.
It seems my rifle maxed out using this powder well before the indicated max load.
Got an moa group and a half moa group to play with. I'll have to chronograph it next time.

Vince

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[.300winmag]

Not familiar with that bullet out of that cartridge, with my 6.5-284 and 142's I always ran H4831SC. No longer have that rifle and don't have plans for another, barrels wore out too fast for my taste. I've read and heard nothing but positive things about the new enduron powders.

 

[Vince]

Found a pound of H4831 so I'll give it a go next week.

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[Vince]

One thing I've found is that a max load in this rifle is a lot less powder than book max.
I'm lucky to get to a mid range load.

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[SJB358]

That seems odd to me Vince. Especially with book loads. Rarely, almost never have I had a rifle that gave issues with book maxes and a few took a little more to get the speed. Are the cases looking good coming out of the chamber?

Also, when you say your seeing PSI signs, what exactly are you observing?

Looking forward to seeing you dial this rifle in though. 6.5x284 is a sweet cartridge for hunting. Pretty danged good for the amount of powder it burns.

 

[Vince]

I'm thinking of calling Savage as maybe this chamber isn't up to spec. Might be too tight. If Savage doesn't want to check it out and fix it I may end up buying another barrel for it.

Vince

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[Vince]

As for pressie signs, bolt marks on the brass and enlarged primer holes. Book max loads blow the primers out.

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[wayno945]

Does the barrel have a short throat? Are you hitting the lands?

 

[Vince]

Yup

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[SJB358]

Are they pretty short Vince when your hitting the rifling. I'm not sure what spec Savage chambers the 6.5x284 since there are two.