6.5 x .284 I need load info.

[188MULE]

Howdy, I know there is some load info some where in the reloading forum but I just can't find it so I'll ask everyone again for some help.

I recently finished a rifle built by .308nate from SSG in 6.5x.284 Lapua or Norma. It has a 28" Brux barrel 1 in 8 on a 721 action with what I think is a Richards microfit walnut stock. I traded a guy for the rifle, it was finished except for the stock which was inletted and pillar bedded I needed to take down the pretty rough stock and oil. Ten coats of linspeed did the trick nicely, now I need some load advice.


I would like to start out using H4831SC but any loads would be great.

I currently have a few hundred 130 gr berger vld target bullets but would like to start using the 140gr vld hunting bullet. Loads for both would be great.

Also any one have experience with any of these bullets for hunting out to 1000?
Is there any other bullets that have performed for you on mule deer size game out to 1000?

Thanks
Joe Vogle

 

[Len Backus]

6.5-284 Cartridge Guide

 

[Jumpalot]

With the 140grn. Berger I use 51grns of H4831sc. I could get a little more in there and more velocity, but this load shoots so well that I see no reason to change it.

 

[Weezer]

I use Retumbo with good long range results. You need to work your load out, takes a lot, I am pushing for velocity. good luck

 

[roninflag]

what Len said. i have mainly experience shooting at targets; with 123 and 139 lapua bullets. i have used mrp-2, h-4831sc, h-4350. i have heard also re-17 have not tried it yet; there is an article somewhere on 6mmbr about re-17 it will get you higher velocity from what i read. i use lapua brass. non magnum primers.

 

[geauxtigers]

I also shoot 51 grains of H4831SC. with fed 210 m's and nosler brass with necks turned to .288. 140 grain bergers. Shoots great at this.

Taylor

 

[cfvickers]

Ditto to Geauxtigers. I use that load for my average velocity target load, should be right around 3000 fps. 49.7 works well in my gun with the 130 VLD as well. That will slow it down a bit to around 2850-2900 with your longer barrel. I have gotten below .3 inch groups with both. My Savage loves those 130 VLDs. Another good one is 51.5 grains of RL17 also with the 130 at about 3150 in mine. I use Fed 215 primers but probably don't have too. COAL will of course depend on your gun, mine likes 3.170-3.185. Good Luck!

 

[johnnyk]

I have been getting good numbers and accuracy from the 120gn Ballistic Tip and RL25. I'm using 58.5gn and the CCI BR2 primer. Velocity is averaging 3225fps from a stock Savage 112BVSS 26" barrel. I shot this 3-shot group at 500yds today after work.

I have less than 200 rounds through this rifle.

 

[cfvickers]

I have been getting good numbers and accuracy from the 120gn Ballistic Tip and RL25. I'm using 58.5gn and the CCI BR2 primer. Velocity is averaging 3225fps from a stock Savage 112BVSS 26" barrel. I shot this 3-shot group at 500yds today after work.

I have less than 200 rounds through this rifle.

OOOh. Gonna go home in the morning and try that one out!! Have just tried faster burning powders than that with the 120 BT. Decent accuracy with RL19 and 4831SC but I have some RL25 on the shelf that is looking for purpose.

 

[johnnyk]

RL25 is the powder that I'm currently testing/shooting, but I have had great accuracy with AA3100 in both the 100 and 120gn bullets. 53.0-54.0gn proved to be very accurate for the 120gn.
Also, got .2's with the 100gn pills and H4350 (53.5-54.0gn). 52.0gn of IMR4831/120 NBT ran 3145fps and printed .381". JohnnyK.

 

[188MULE]

Hey thanks for the info any more is always welcome. I am starting out with 48 grns of 4831sc and gradually moving up. Is there a powder that is better suited for this cartridge? I have a surplus of RL19-22-25, ACC 3100. I don't think I'll ever go lighter than 130 grain bullets. Has anyone used the A-Max 140 for hunting deer out to 1000 or the seirra 142? Looking to stick with the bergers. The 168 bergers in my 7mm worked great on whitetail and antelope at 400, one antelope at 200 had a very large exit hole. Coyote out to 900 seemed to work fine if they were hit square they didn't have much damage but I didn't shoot any closer than 500 with that load. The ones closer were shot with a 25-06 and a 117 seirra gameking.

 

[dirtball]

4831SC seams to be the powder most people end up using. I have tried several, but I always end up back with 4831SC using 48 to 51.5 grains with either 140 Bergers or 142 SMK's depending on the individual rifle.
ALWAYS start LOW and work up.
Dave

 

[XWrangler]

JohnnyK has got me thinking also of the RL25!!! Thats one I have not tried yet.
I use Retumbo at 58.5 gr for the 140 VLDs and they are shooting about as good as you can ask for. Ragged holes at 100yds are pretty common.
The last week I been working on a load for Barnes 120 gr Tipped Triple Shock.
This morning I shot a half inch group at 100 and shot incredibly well at 500. I loaded 59.5 gr of Accurate MagPro and that is the max for this Savage 111LRH.
60 gr was too hot and I could see a little too much extractor mark for my liking.
I have a Huskemaw on this gun and the turret is made for Bergers 140 VLDs. At 500 yds I had to set the turret on 450 to have the Barnes on at 500.
Gonna try the 800 yd target tomorrow if the wind allows.
I have to admit these Barnes have really shot well with multiple loads but this seems to be the best velocity I have seen. Averaging right at 3100 and extreme spreads is only 18 fps. Gonna be fun to see what the RL25 does!
My daughter drew a big bull tag here in Utah and the hunt started a couple days ago. Plan on using the Barnes for it next week. I also tried the Vihtavuori N165 but even though the groups were very good the pressures were crazy! I could shoot 3 or 4 that showed hardly any signs of pressure and then the next one would blow a primer pocket on brand new Lapua brass. Havn't figured that one out yet.
Good luck and let us know what ya find that works best for ya.
XWrangler

Better to have it and not need it! Than to need it and not have it!

 

[cfvickers]

Xwrangler, you should try RL17 with that 140 VLD in that LRH if you hunt with that bullet at all. You can get 3100 easy with it, Mine averages 3140 with 51 grains RL17 a Fed 215 primer and the bullet seated to 3.210" ES in the single digits. I get 3203 with a 130 VLD Hunting or Target, both shoot the same in a group with 52 grains RL17 same primer and seated at 3.185, way under a half inch and groups didn't,t see to open at all at 200 ES with my gun and this load has consistently been 1 to 2 fps.I shot a 5 shot string with no cool down the other day and four clocked 3203, one was 3204. once in a while there will be a 3202 in there. Great load! another good one is 49.7 grains H4831SC with the 130 if using Lapua Brass, 50.2 with hornady, both get you about 2800 fps and will print 1 hole groups at 200.