Reloader 17 for the 6.5-284 Norma

[Desert Fox]

I will give this powder a whirl on my 6.5-284 and see what kind of velocity and accuracy I can squeezed out from this cartridge. Maybe this is the powder that can get me over that 3,000 ft/sec threshold with 140 grain Berger VLD without pressure. We shall see.

 

[JD338]

DF,

Good luck with your load development.
The 140 gr VLD at 3K would make it a flat liner.

JD338

 

[DrMike]

Rommel, RL17 will be an interesting choice. I note, however, that RL19 or RL22 will yield slightly higher velocity and a better case fill. Any insight on why you'd choose RL17?

 

[Desert Fox]

Rommel, RL17 will be an interesting choice. I note, however, that RL19 or RL22 will yield slightly higher velocity and a better case fill. Any insight on why you'd choose RL17?

I have read a lot of article from different sources, from people who tested this powder and getting extra 100 ft/sec more velocity with no sign of pressure. To date, I've only use IMR 4831 on my 6.5-284 and getting outstanding velocity and accuracy. However, for some reason, I'm experiencing pressure spike with just a slight changes in temperature. I never had any problem with this powder on my 280 or my 300 Winchester for that matter. This is really the main reason why I'm looking for an alternative powder.

If this won't work, I'll try H4831. Every 6.5-284 shooter use this powder.

 

[DrMike]

Gotcha. I know that burn rates change with volume, projectile weight, primer brisance, etc. It is a never-ending search for the perfect load. I'll be most interested in your tests. The 6.5-284 is a cartridge that could be very intriguing for me. I've loaded for a few with some good results.

 

[JohnB]

Desert Fox

I have used rl17 in my 6.5-284. 50 gr of rl17 in Nosler brass with a fed 210M gets me 3050 fps with a 140 SST out of a 26in barrel.

JohnB

 

[woods]

http://www.6mmbr.com/reloder17.html

6.5X284 close to bottom of article

Rifle #2: 6.5-284 with 140gr Berger BTs
6.5 x 284 Prone Rifle built up by Warner Tool Co with Masterclass Laminate Stock by Carl Bernosky, Barnard Action, Bartlein 1:8.5" twist 5R rifled barrel (31" long).

All loads used neck-turned Lapua 6.5 x 284 brass, Fed 210M primers, and naked (no moly) Berger 140gr BT Thick Jacket bullets jumped .010":

48 gr RL 17 - Mean Velocity 3035 fps, ES 17, SD 7 - No pressure issues at all
49 gr RL 17 - Mean Velocity 3078 fps, ES 25, SD 11 - No pressure issues at all
50 gr RL 17 - Mean Velocity 3130 fps, ES 35, SD 12 - No pressure issues at all
51 gr RL 17 - Mean Velocity 3185 fps, ES 17, SD 6 (Sticky bolt lift on 4 rounds - this is about top end for my liking but I would not hesitate to shoot it however if it turns out to deliver good accuracy).

Bear in mind my typical loading with this rifle is 48 grains of H4350 with a Fed 210M primer and the Berger 140gr BT Thick Jacket bullets (no moly) jumping .010". This H4350 load runs 2987 fps and has sticky bolt lift on just about every round.

Nearly 200 fps More Velocity Using RL17 with 140s in 6.5-284
In this rifle, Reloder 17 clearly enables me to run the Berger 140s almost 200 fps faster than I normally was able to shoot them with H4350 in this rifle. My previous H4350 load ran around 2987 fps with the Berger 140s and that was about all I could get out of it.

Caution -- The 6.5-284 already has a reputation as a barrel burner. We can't predict the long-term effects of using RL17 and shooting 150-200 fps faster, but the higher velocities might cause barrels to wear even more quickly.

My experience with RL17 is that it does get significant increases in velocity with no pressure signs. MOF I have yet to see a pressure sign in

6.5 rem mag - pushing 130 gr bullets to 3225 fps
280 AI - pushing 160 gr bullets to 3100 fps
30-06 - pushing 200 gr bullets to 2750 fps
375 Ruger - pushing 260 gr bullets to 3000 fps

I just got to where I wanted to go with velocity and laid back and worked on seating depths for loads

YMMV

BTW - in every case I started way way low and worked up gradually AS ANYONE SHOULD

 

[SJB358]

That feller is getting some unreal speeds, granted its a 31" barrel, but man, 3100+ with a 140 in the 6.5 is screaming!

Good luck DF.. Hope it works for you buddy. Although, your rifle is a known shooter, so I won't be too surprised with dime sized groups!

 

[Desert Fox]

Also loaded some for 6.5-47 Lapua. I will try to make it to the range tomorrow.

 

[SJB358]

Also loaded some for 6.5-47 Lapua. I will try to make it to the range tomorrow.

That set up just looks awesome DF!

 

[Desert Fox]

Thank You Scotty. I have 25 loaded, 5 each starting at 40 grain and max at 42 grain. Loading density is around 92-95%. My goal is to get the 130 grain Berger VLD to at least 2950 fps or better yet, 3000 fps with no pressure issue. This apply to both cartridges.

 

[SJB358]

Good luck DF. You and Jeff really got me thinking about that 6.5 Lapua. Seems like a stinger of a round. I would love to have one in a M70 Featherweight for my daughter.. I would make sure it is thoroughly tested before handing it over though!

 

[Desert Fox]

Good luck DF. You and Jeff really got me thinking about that 6.5 Lapua. Seems like a stinger of a round. I would love to have one in a M70 Featherweight for my daughter.. I would make sure it is thoroughly tested before handing it over though!

This is a great cartridge, very efficient and inherently very accurate. I have a fluted number 3 Lilja that I'm contemplating on building a lighter version for hunting. IMO, it will be a more versatile do it all cartridge.

 

[SJB358]

Good luck DF. You and Jeff really got me thinking about that 6.5 Lapua. Seems like a stinger of a round. I would love to have one in a M70 Featherweight for my daughter.. I would make sure it is thoroughly tested before handing it over though!

This is a great cartridge, very efficient and inherently very accurate. I have a fluted number 3 Lilja that I'm contemplating on building a lighter version for hunting. IMO, it will be a more versatile do it all cartridge.

That sounds like a great build! I would have to think a little 6.5 in a Featherweight like rifle would be pretty sweet for carrying! I have come to like the slimmer lighter rifles and the 6.5's seem to really eek alot of performance in a small package.

 

[Desert Fox]

Woke up at 4:30 AM this morning, brewed my self a fresh cup of ground coffee, loaded up the truck and off to the range I went. Got there just at the crack of dawn and began the ritual of seating up the target, spotting scope, rifle, bullet and chronograph. One problem however, I have the chronograph but left the the darn sky screen at home. I hate when that happens. I just don't feel comfortable shooting my untested load without a chronograph.

But I went ahead and shoot the first five round of my start load anyway just to observe pressure sign if any, and then call it a day afterwards. My wife was surprised to see me back at home so early.

Here's the 4 shot group each from both the 6.5-284 and 6.5-47 Lapua @ 110 yards. There's potential that warranted further testing.

6.5-284 with 48 grain of Reloader 17 and 140 grain Berger VLD.

6.5-47 Lapua with 40 grain of Reloader 17 and 130 grain Berger VLD. 3 shot went on the same hole.

 

[DrMike]

Very gratifying when your shooting produces such targets, Rommel. Congratulations.

 

[SJB358]

DF! That kinda shooting makes me wanna start mine all over! :twisted: