Benefits of 129/130 gr bullets w 6.5x284?

[dporter99]

I have seen all the merits of the 140 gr Berger VLD for hunting with a 6.5x284. I'm about to start reloading for mine, any reason why I should consider the 130 gr Berger or the Nosler AB Long Range 129 grainer? would be a Cooper 1:8, 24" barrel.

Just curious as to which bullet / powder combo should be the first I purchase... sounds like the 140 gr Berger with H4831sc might be a logical option.

 

[Derek M.]

H4831SC didn't produce the velocity I had hoped for in my 6.5-284 with a 24" Bartlein bbl. I ended up with 130 Nos AB and 53.0 gr Re19. Killed 2 deer with it this year in SC.

 

[Derek M.]

I do plan on working on more test loads with the 140 Berger VLD. I wanted a light rifle though. I will try H4350 and VVN160 and 165 also. If I can't get expected speeds from those in the 24" tube, I will just stick with the 130 AB since it shot so well in this rifle. If I ever build another 6.5-284, which is kind of doubtful, I will go with a 26" or 27" barrel.

Right now I'm thinking the next 6.5 is going to be the Sherman.

 

[dporter99]

Derek - thanks for the feedback, much appreciated! And great pics!

 

[backwoods83]

Imr7828 and Magpro with CCI250s is a good combo for the 129/130, best accuracy/velocity combo typically. If you want accuracy and velocity in a 24" barrel with 140s H1000, Retumbo, and Ramshot Magnum will get you 2900+ with good accuracy using fed215Ms.

 

[roninflag]

DPORTER- what are you shooting at? i have 2 6.5-284. commonly i shoot 123 and 139 scenars and 120 balitic tips.

 

[Greyfox]

Unless you are limiting your shooting to a load for mid range hunting, I would opt for the 140 Berger. My Cooper 1:8 twist generates excellent ballistic performace, sub .5MOA accuracy, and single digit ES with with Retumbo. Velocity runs 2975FPS in a 26" barrel. No pressure signs, and easy on brass.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

Imr7828 and Magpro with CCI250s is a good combo for the 129/130, best accuracy/velocity combo typically. If you want accuracy and velocity in a 24" barrel with 140s H1000, Retumbo, and Ramshot Magnum will get you 2900+ with good accuracy using fed215Ms.

Mild curiousity on my part here so take my question for what it's worth.

Why the usage of Magnum primer in the x284 case? Were they tested against large rifle primers & proven to provide lower ES or?

Not that it makes much of a difference to me, just wondering how they came to be part of your recipe.

OP- The 130's will add some velocity to your rig for sure however, the 130's also allow the x284 to burn more powder; which in turn, CAN lead to a decrease in barrel life for a cartridge that is fairly well known to be on the short end of the stick already.


t

 

[backwoods83]

Outlaw I'll satisfy your curiousity on two things, number 1 a 6.5x284 can last well beyond 2k rounds as a hunting or plinking rifle that doesn't get overheated. It got its bad reputation from benchrest shooters putting 10-20rnds downrange in about 7 minutes (that's hard on anything) no to mention when using charge of around 56grn or so its one of very few cartridges that maintain its burn (flame vortex) inside the case, can be hard on throats but that's why people set them back a time or 2 and continue as they were.

Number 2, yes I have found in several cases with 7828 or 7828ssc, 6.5x284, 7mm rem mag, 270wby, 300wm, 300wby mag, 270win, that CCI250s give a better ES and SD than CCI200s or Fed210Ms, WLR primers are close to what the 250s will but not quite as good. Also if you are burning 90grns of 7828 or less the 250s work best, 215Ms are a little radical in the ignition, but with over 90, (I use 94 in a 338lm) the 215Ms give better consistency.

My go to loads for the 6.5x284 are various 139-142 pills with H1000 or Retumbo and 215Ms, with the Retumbo/140Berger coming in first at 3160-3170fps (30" barrel) it thinks its a 264wm!

 

[Outlaw6.0]

Thanks for the primer info, interesting for sure. It never ceases to make ones eyebrow raise when the testing conducted by others leads to an answer you wouldn't expect to see.

On barrel life, it's subjective at very best, which is why I refrained from posting about it. Just trying to let the OP know that the 130's can shorten it some.


Enjoy,


t

 

[BrentM]

I have used the 215M with retumbo. I backed off .5 to 1 grain depending on the bullet used etc and had good results. Seems the mag primer builds pressure more quickly and I would get sticky bolt unless I back off. Spread and speeds were still good.

 

[Drift141]

I have had good luck with 55.5gr 7828, Fed 210s, Barnes LRX 127s, and Laupa brass. 5 shot average through chrony is 3222 with a group measuring .435. I just ordered Berger 130s and 140s to try out. All the info is posted here:

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/here-122651/index3.html

 

[Custom66]

Just a thought, In my humble opinion, if you use or test any powders that are not temp stable, you should test them in hunting conditions, temp especially. My first powder choice would be Hodgdon H-4350, and second, Hodgden Hybrid-100. I would not be afraid to use a CCI-200 primer. No need for a magnum primer. Also, a 130gr bullet would work just fine, as long as your ethics, and or shooting skills don't suffer. Will gain BC with a 140, or 142gr bullet, and could be helpful for longer shots. I would think, anything is possible, as long as your abilities, and common sense are considered, as the 6.5X 284 is one of the best all around cartridges of our modern era. I guess everybody has an opinion, and mine are no more correct than anybody else! Hope this helps you! Long Range Bandit!

 

[BrentM]

True there is no need for the mag primer but if you have them, like I do, and finding any primer is a hell of a chore then by all means you have options.

What velocity did you see with 100? My 6.5 did not like 4350 as well as 4831.