6.5x.284 Norma Help Needed

[NZStaghunter]

Hello all,

Firstly I would like to introduce myself, I am a New Zealand lad that has been brought up with hunting. My ambition to hunt trophy animals in our home land and leave poorer heads has pushed me towards building a specialised longrange hunting rifle.

I have had built a 6.5x.284 Norma. The action is a Kelby (kodiak), shillen sm barrel (29', 8:1, No5), jewel trigger, and McMillan A-5 stock. The chamber is tight at .290' neck diameter.

I have started loading seating the bullet 2 thou into the lands, using 140grn A-max bullets. The cases are Lapua (neck turned), and CCI magnum primers. Power is H2213sc or you will know it as H4831sc.

My load is accurate at 54grns which I am concerned that is too hot and will burn the barrel too quickly. it shoots 5 shots and the base of the case covers all shots at 100yrds. (11mm)

I started with 50grns and worked up and kept getting verticle spread until I hit 54grns. I have not tested the speed of the bullets yet.

Should I be pushing into the lands further and try dropping the powder?

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards,
jansen.

 

[Derek M.]

My load is accurate at 54grns which I am concerned that is too hot and will burn the barrel too quickly. it shoots 5 shots and the base of the case covers all shots at 100yrds. (11mm)

You need no help my friend. 5 shots inside of 11mm is what we strive for. Yes, your load is hot and yes your bbl will not last as long, however, the nature of the caliber you chose is that way anyway.

If you are not having sticky bolt lift or any other pressure signs, leave it alone and enjoy.

 

[NZStaghunter]

Dereck M. I agree but I am still concerned about barrel life. If I can make some changes that may give me an extra 400 shots it maybe worth it.

I am also interested to know if the A-max is good on large animals

 

[NZP]

I have been impressed with A-maxs, been using 162gr out of my 280AI with great sucess. i believe ive shot about 15 goats and 3 big red stags, a hand full of hinds and several varmints with them. Have never had a problem with them! all but one animal just dropped on the spot after being shot in the chest, the other ran about 20 meters and landed in a wallow.

btw you should be culling out those inferior red stags! dont let em breed!

 

[xmark]

Hi their fello kiwi, Im a new member myself from the warm Bay of Plenty,just working up loads myself only on a 7RUM and hoping to get some advice this sight to speed up the proccess snd save on barrel life as well, sounds like you are as good as there! good luck.

 

[Wayne Richards]

Jansen,
Barrel life is dependent on many things,round count is only one,rate of fire,(target rifle)barrel steel is another.
Barrels on target rifles can last from 400 to 1200 rds.,f-class barrels fired in 20 shot matches plus sighters get real hot and normally wear out
faster!
On a hunting rifle, I would think your barrel life would be more, and you will be an old man, have shot tons of game by the time you wear your barrel out!
Enjoy the accuacy,and don't worry about the barrel!
Wayne

 

[älg]

Jansen, I am also using a 6,5-284 for hunting, mostly with the 140 amax.

I have not used your powder but I would say it is a hot load.- You will need to know your bullet´s velocity if you are planning to shoot LR, but I would guess you are way over 3.000 ft/s.

I would not touch the COL if it shoots well; but I would not make the bullets touch the lands either if the rifle is for hunting.

I have killed a good deal of game with the Amax, mostly goats which are not very big. Performance has been good at all ranges.
For red deer,pigs etc... , I would not trust the amax for close quarter shots especially at high speeds. I know you plan on LR hunting but on a real hunt you never know if you may shoot at just a couple of meters.

I am currently trying the Bergers 140 VLD but do not have alot of experience with them in regards of terminal ballistics. They have accounted for a couple of kills but not enough to draw a clear conclussion.

It is a shame that Nosler made tge 6,5 accubond a 130 grainer; a 140 would have been ideal for the 6,5-284.


Good luck.

 

[NZStaghunter]

xMark, good to see another kiwi on the site good luck with your 7mm

Wayne, you are probably right but we tend to clean up a few Tahr in a sitting. I am probably just over worried.

alg good to hear the a-max used as a huntin bullet. I imagine the bullet is over 3000f/s also. These custom actions make it difficult to detect pressure. measured some cases from 53gr loads and they had only expanded .0002 I believe .001 is max. probably should get speed and try and get something between 2950-3050.
Why should I sit off the land?

 

[älg]

Sit off the lands.. just an opinion.- I know some bullets will shoot better into the lands, but if they shoot ok off them, you avoid the possibility of opening your bolt to find an empty case, a bullet stuck in the klands, and powder inside your action.

Some will not agree on this but I´d rather minimize the risk.
You can also carry a cleaning rod just in case..