What should I expect from a custom 6.5-284??

[jl3216]

I have a trued Rem 700 action with 26" Broughton 1-8" barrel in a Manners T2A stock and a Nightforce 5.5-22x50 on top. I've shot about 112 rounds through the gun trying to find "that magical load". I've tried Retumbo, H4350, and H4831SC using Berger 140VLDs. I've adjusting seating depths from jammed to jumping and powder charge weight as well.

I've gotten consisten .6" to .8" groups at 100 yards, and .8" - 1.3" at 200 yards. Is that all I should expect from that caliber and a custom rifle???!~!?!

If not, any suggestions??

Thanks!!!!

 

[Derek M.]

Every rifle is different. Every builder may use exact same or very different techniques when putting a rifle together. Accuracy also depends on YOUR loading technique, components used, etc.

In other words, it's really anyone's guess what to expect. Personally, having 2 rifles that have made one hole groups and 2 others that have produced groups in the .1s and .2s, that set the bar for my expectations on what any custom I have built can do.

I would personally expect better than .6.

 

[bigbrother]

JL3216,

My 6.5x284 has a 28"Douglas barrel but shoots similar results at 100yds. Consistently .4 to .6. My smith told me when he built it that it probably wouldn't shoot much better than that at 100 but not to worry because it would shoot under 1" at 300. I ran into the same issues as you during my barrel break in. Then I remembered what he had said and took it to the range to shoot it at extended range.

I don't worry about my 100 yard groups much anymore with the gun because my gun shoots .8 at 300 and will stay at 1 1/2" at 500yds if I do my part. Past that, it puts the first shot into a deer's boiler room as far as I've ever tried to shoot one. That's what is important to me.

As a side note, I run H1000 in mine although everyone says H4831 is the way to go. My barrel shot tighter groups running H1000.

 

[J E Custom]

I have a trued Rem 700 action with 26" Broughton 1-8" barrel in a Manners T2A stock and a Nightforce 5.5-22x50 on top. I've shot about 112 rounds through the gun trying to find "that magical load". I've tried Retumbo, H4350, and H4831SC using Berger 140VLDs. I've adjusting seating depths from jammed to jumping and powder charge weight as well.

I've gotten consisten .6" to .8" groups at 100 yards, and .8" - 1.3" at 200 yards. Is that all I should expect from that caliber and a custom rifle???!~!?!

If not, any suggestions??

Thanks!!!!

Most if not all of the gunsmiths on this web site build sub 1/2 MOA rifles but it is up to the
shooter to get the most from his rifle.

This includes great reloads. good shooting techniques.and lots of practice .

I would think that you could get 1/2 MOA or better. as stated before some times you need
to try different bullets to find the one that your rifle likes.

J E CUSTOM

 

[jl3216]

Thanks for the input, Gentlemen.

I have shot some short range BR, so I'm fairly knowledgable about good loading techniques, preparatons, wind readings, etc. All of my varmint rifles (6BR, 22BR, 220 Swift etc.) are capable of .5 MOA out to about 300, so I was expecting a lot more out of my 6.5-284.

I guess I'll keep trying.

Thanks again!!

 

[cfvickers]

Just to throw a factory gun result in here. I have a load that will only shoot .4-.6 at 100 but will make them all touch at 200. Berger states in some of their literature that in many cases they will not shoot their best groups at 100 yards but will tighten up around 200-300 and then stay that way.

 

[Coyboy]

Jim,
Shot a 300 yard four shot group last night that was .700 c to c. With three in .450.
That is with the 142 smk 51.5 g H-4831 sc.
Thanks your the best!

Paul Weinkauf
KPS Tool & Die Inc.

e-mail I got yesterday.
surgeon action, Brux barrel, heavy palma, Hs stock

 

[roninflag]

i shoot mostly mrp-2 . never got berger to shoot in mine as good as lapau . so i shoot 123 and 139 for matches. 120 baltip for hunting. sendero weight krieger and a very heavy kreiger. 8.5 twist. is your barrel heavy or sporter?

 

[trebark]

Do you have a particular reason you want to shoot the VLD? My 260 shoots .5moa or better with the 142SMK. It's my target/varmint load.

I've done some testing with the 140VLD and the best accuracy I've gotten so far is .75moa. Like you, my expectation is higher than that. I will continue to test the VLD to see if I can find the magic formula as I want the VLD to shoot at deer. (.75moa is still acceptable accuracy for now as the maximum distance I have to shoot at deer is 500 yards.)

 

[LRSickle]

I shoot 140 Amax, 48.5grs of H4320 and 215 primers with this. Most of the time the holes are snuggled up to each other like a nice little family of bullet holes.

 

[trebark]

I shoot 140 Amax, 48.5grs of H4320 and 215 primers with this. Most of the time the holes are snuggled up to each other like a nice little family of bullet holes.

Now that is cool!

 

[JUDD]

Who makes that stock??

 

[Jrigby]

looks kinda like a D&L sports stock out of Gillete WY. but could be wrong

 

[LRSickle]

It's made by Simmson Machine out of Gooding Idaho. The whole gun weighs about 20 pounds. With the muzzle brake...well, there isn't any recoil to speak of. It's such a great caliber. I get a happy little tear of joy each time I stroke the trigger. The little woman and I were out the other day and she was pegging a 12" rock at 1008 yards every time. She's quite fond of both the gun and the caliber.