Testing the 147's in 6.5 x 284 ( Continued )

[TackDriver284]

Continued fireforming Lapua brass, worked up charges in .4 increments to find max pressure / velocity. Recent highest work up was at 50.5 grains at 2717 fps average in recent post.
H4831SC, virgin Lapua brass, full sized bushing, .263" mandrel, BR2 primer, 147 ELD-M
50.6 grains - 2735, 2733, 2733
51.0 grains - 2743, 2752, 2740
51.4 grains - 2761, 2757, 2755
51.8 grains - 2785, 2779, 2800
52.2 grains - 2792, 2803, 2817
52.6 grains - 2811, 2827, 2817 ( slight ejector mark on 2 cases )
53.0 grains - 2850, 2860, 2861 ( defined ejector mark on 3 cases )

50.6 grains at 2733 fps average printed a nice one hole group, after fireforming it it may change
51.4 grains at 2758 fps average printed , again, a nice one hole group
51.4 - 52.4 grains will be the next loads to pick to tweak it up ( once fired brass ) As Jimbires mentioned, once fireformed it may increase speed hopefully. 2800 fps is a nice speed with the 147's with H4831SC. 50.6 grains is nice with that 1 hole group, but a tad slow.

 

[SJB358]

That's excellent accuracy. Nothing for nothing but RL26 with 147's in my Tikka were 2775 with RL26. But you're right, one hole groups at 2800 wouldn't be hard to take either.

 

[DrMike]

Continued fireforming Lapua brass, worked up charges in .4 increments to find max pressure / velocity. Recent highest work up was at 50.5 grains at 2717 fps average in recent post.
H4831SC, virgin Lapua brass, full sized bushing, .263" mandrel, BR2 primer, 147 ELD-M
50.6 grains - 2735, 2733, 2733
51.0 grains - 2743, 2752, 2740
51.4 grains - 2761, 2757, 2755
51.8 grains - 2785, 2779, 2800
52.2 grains - 2792, 2803, 2817
52.6 grains - 2811, 2827, 2817 ( slight ejector mark on 2 cases )
53.0 grains - 2850, 2860, 2861 ( defined ejector mark on 3 cases )

50.6 grains at 2733 fps average printed a nice one hole group, after fireforming it it may change
51.4 grains at 2758 fps average printed , again, a nice one hole group
51.4 - 52.4 grains will be the next loads to pick to tweak it up ( once fired brass ) As Jimbires mentioned, once fireformed it may increase speed hopefully. 2800 fps is a nice speed with the 147's with H4831SC. 50.6 grains is nice with that 1 hole group, but a tad slow.

The load will work, that's for sure.

 

[IdahoCTD]

Looks like your top load on your targets has potential but if your getting ejector marks with virgin brass then I'd say that node will be beyond reach if you want any kind of brass life. If your not up to 100 rounds or more then your barrel will probably speed up a bit more and you'll have to tune the load again.

I'm with Scotty, R-26 would supply your missing speed, it would probably be 100+fps faster. H-1000 is quite a bit faster then H-4831 too

 

[TackDriver284]

That's excellent accuracy. Nothing for nothing but RL26 with 147's in my Tikka were 2775 with RL26. But you're right, one hole groups at 2800 wouldn't be hard to take either.

Thanks Scotty, RL26 is sure a fast powder, got a couple pounds of my shelf but saving it for later. I have plenty of H4831SC to use to last the life of this barrel.

 

[TackDriver284]

Looks like your top load on your targets has potential but if your getting ejector marks with virgin brass then I'd say that node will be beyond reach if you want any kind of brass life. If your not up to 100 rounds or more then your barrel will probably speed up a bit more and you'll have to tune the load again.

I'm with Scotty, R-26 would supply your missing speed, it would probably be 100+fps faster. H-1000 is quite a bit faster then H-4831 too

I am more into accuracy than speed, I did this to find max pressure / velocity. I picked H4831SC which has been my only powder I used since my first 6.5 x 284 back in the late 90's, this is my 2nd new 6.5 x 284. I mentioned I'll do my final tweaking with 51.4 -52.4 grains which is less that the last two charges with shows pressure with those slight ejector marks. At 52.6 is when I saw those slight ejector marks. I do have a couple of pounds of RL 26 and H1000 on hand, but not using them due to surplus H4831 SC which will last the life of my barrel. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[TackDriver284]

The load will work, that's for sure.

Thanks Mike, it sure will be wicked for deer.

 

[SJB358]

Those bullets at 2800 is actually perfect in my opinion Mark. They don’t handle speed real well so in all reality you should like them more at 2800 and with their BC they tend to do real well at distance as well.

I was debating on trying them in my PRC but at around 3k I think they’d be messy till they were a long way out.

Your accuracy is great. Let’s see your final stuff!

 

[IdahoCTD]

Scotty,

3000fps is only 150fps faster then my dad shoots them, or about 100yds, and he has killed 4-5 cow elk with them. I'm going to rechamber my kids 6.5x47L to a 6.5PRC this year and run them as fast as I can in a 24" barrel. He was only shooting them 2725fps when he shot his bull at 200yds and it hammered his lungs.

 

[SJB358]

Scotty,

3000fps is only 150fps faster then my dad shoots them, or about 100yds, and he has killed 4-5 cow elk with them. I'm going to rechamber my kids 6.5x47L to a 6.5PRC this year and run them as fast as I can in a 24" barrel. He was only shooting them 2725fps when he shot his bull at 200yds and it hammered his lungs.

That's good stuff, I was always just worried about them really getting nasty at those speeds myself. I shot deer with the 147 at 2775 from my CM from 80 to 220 yards and they dug on through just fine. Maybe, I will back up and try the 147's as well, just to see what they'll do. The 139 Scenars are shooting pretty well for me right now to, so I have some choices.

 

[TackDriver284]

That's good stuff, I was always just worried about them really getting nasty at those speeds myself. I shot deer with the 147 at 2775 from my CM from 80 to 220 yards and they dug on through just fine. Maybe, I will back up and try the 147's as well, just to see what they'll do. The 139 Scenars are shooting pretty well for me right now to, so I have some choices.

Did the 147's make an exit? Did it leave bits of lead / jacket material behind? I'm interested in using the 147's for deer this season or possibly a red stag.

 

[SJB358]

Did the 147's make an exit? Did it leave bits of lead / jacket material behind? I'm interested in using the 147's for deer this season or possibly a red stag.

Oh yeah, the bullets exited with 1.5"ish exit holes with scrambled innards. They were/are fantastic in the part where I used them. I wouldn't sweat ever putting one in the ribs, and Nathan has proofed them on elk, so that is saying something as well. If you're using them at 2800'ish Mark I'd never sweat it a bit. They just plain poleaxed deer. I may monkey around with the 147's a little in the PRC, just to see how they shoot.

Some folks like and always want two holes, on deer, I'd prefer rapid expansion and little to no running around. The ELD's work well in that regard.

 

[PaLuke]

Oh yeah, the bullets exited with 1.5"ish exit holes with scrambled innards. They were/are fantastic in the part where I used them. I wouldn't sweat ever putting one in the ribs, and Nathan has proofed them on elk, so that is saying something as well. If you're using them at 2800'ish Mark I'd never sweat it a bit. They just plain poleaxed deer. I may monkey around with the 147's a little in the PRC, just to see how they shoot.

Some folks like and always want two holes, on deer, I'd prefer rapid expansion and little to know running around. The ELD's work well in that regard.

I found that RE26 game me the best results. I’m getting 2840 with the 147 ELDM’s. Groups are always around 1/2”.

 

[TackDriver284]

UPS truck just dropped off a package which weighed 17 pounds, inside was 3 heavy duty individual bags. Each bag is 5.25 pounds of 147's in each bag totaling 750 bullets in addition to 2 boxes of 147's on my shelf. With a jug of H4831SC, I'll be sticking with the 147's for the 6.5 x 284 for a while now since it shoots wicked accurate.

 

[TackDriver284]

Final results: 52.0 grains - 2820 fps - 147 ELD-M- 1X fired
Conditions: humid / cloudy
Loaded only 3 for a quick test, I pulled a little on the 2nd shot which was a little to the right / shooter error
Good enough for me for some deer hunting
Speed did increase some after once fired by about 25 fps, used half a grain less to get the same speed. ( Jim mentioned it earlier )
Now time to load 20 to have some fun.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Sharpen the knife you're ready to hunt. Dan.

 

[DrMike]

Final results: 52.0 grains - 2820 fps - 147 ELD-M- 1X fired
Conditions: humid / cloudy
Loaded only 3 for a quick test, I pulled a little on the 2nd shot which was a little to the right / shooter error
Good enough for me for some deer hunting
Speed did increase some after once fired by about 25 fps, used half a grain less to get the same speed. ( Jim mentioned it earlier )
Now time to load 20 to have some fun.

Oh, yeah. That'll do.

 

[SJB358]

I think you’re in the perfect spot in regards to velocity with those. Nathan said they worked well even a bit faster but I know for sure you’re going to smile when that wrecking ball touches down.

I have a bunch of them myself I am planning to try in my 6.5 Swede. They worked so well from the Creed they should be just as good in the Swede.

 

[TackDriver284]

I think you’re in the perfect spot in regards to velocity with those. Nathan said they worked well even a bit faster but I know for sure you’re going to smile when that wrecking ball touches down.

I have a bunch of them myself I am planning to try in my 6.5 Swede. They worked so well from the Creed they should be just as good in the Swede.

I will be bored soon and thinking to do a little project,,,remember those 6.5 Hot Cors ( still have 1 and a half boxes ) that did not work well in the 6.5 x 284 recently,,,,I'll try them in the 6.5 Creedmoor with H4350,,,see how it does on target. If it sucks,,,,I'll donate those bullets to whomever will pay the shipping cost.
Currently, the 6.5 Creed loves the 120 Ballistic Tips and the ELD -143. Still waiting for the BT / AB 140's,,,,

 

[SJB358]

You’re not the first person that’s had issues with them. I’m betting they aren’t balanced very well.