6.5x284 Ladder Test Results

[NW Hunter]

Just finished up a ladder test at 300 yards with H4831 loaded at .3 grain increments today.
Components are 3x fired Lapua brass, Remington 9 1/2 large rifle primers and Berger Hybrid 140's seated at 2.475" CBTO, .072" off the lands.
I got this seating depth with a seating depth ladder test at 300 yards.
On the 52.7 gr shot, I forgot to dial up 1 moa at the start of the ladder.
All the remaining shots had 1 moa dialed in.
All shots felt good, but looking at 53.6 gr., could I have pulled it out of the bottom node?
Or do you guys think 53.6 gr is part of a scatter node?
54.2 thru 54.8 may be where I work up again.
Primers not flattened, no stiff bolt and case heads all at .499" still.
Looking for any experienced thoughts.

 

[Dmagna]

Did you have a chrono running?

 

[NW Hunter]

I have a magnetospeed and decided not to attach it for the ladder.
I will check speeds on the next step.

 

[Dmagna]

Also try retumbo and reloder 26, probably give a lot better velocity than 4831. The goal is right around 2950-3050, that's where my accuracy was for both my 6.5-284.

 

[LongBomber]

54.2-54.5 (possibly up to 54.8) looks like one node, and you might have another at 56-56.3gr.
I would prob try a 5 shot group at 54.5 and see what happens, and check the es/sd is at that load. Could try a couple groups 54.3-54.4-54.5 and see what the groups and numbers look like.

 

[Greyfox]

From your test, 54-55g seems to be a promising node, but velocity/ES results will likely determine the best node. While I currently shoot Retumbo which produces 50-100FPS higher velocity in my 6.5x284's, I originally used the short cut version of H4831 in my 6.5x284's with excellent results. I ran into pressure and high ES as loads approached 53.5gr. Shown is my current load of Retumbo(200 Yards)and my original load with H4831sc(500 Yards)in a Savage 24" LRH.

 

[NW Hunter]

From your test, 54-55g seems to be a promising node, but velocity/ES results will likely determine the best node. While I currently shoot Retumbo which produces 50-100FPS higher velocity in my 6.5x284's, I originally used the short cut version of H4831 in my 6.5x284's with excellent results. I ran into pressure and high ES as loads approached 53.5gr. Shown is my current load of Retumbo(200 Yards)and my original load with H4831sc(500 Yards)in a Savage 24" LRH.
View attachment 101276 View attachment 101277

 

[NW Hunter]

View attachment 101952

I got out today and shot 54.3, 54.4 and 54.5 grains of H4831.
54.3 and 54.4 both shot 4 in groups at 300 yards.
Mirage was horrible.
Then 54.5 comes in at 1.15" for 5 shots.
Average velocity is 2940 fps with an ES of 15.
While I am happy with 54.5, I can't help but wonder if going to 54.6 might be a better spot where the barrel is quiet.
Have any of you had a good load so near to one with so much dispersion?

 

[jasonco]

Makes me want to get my 6.5x284 Norma out and re-experiment!

 

[RockyMtnMT]

For me it is hard to get quality data when there is much mirage let alone horrible. Always seems like a waste of components.

Steve

 

[NW Hunter]

For me it is hard to get quality data when there is much mirage let alone horrible. Always seems like a waste of components.

Steve

Yeah, I should have got my butt out of bed alot earlier.

 

[NW Hunter]

Makes me want to get my 6.5x284 Norma out and re-experiment!

I am really happy with H4831.
Retumbo gave better velocity, but I'm enjoying the accuracy with H4831.

 

[jasonco]

I am really happy with H4831.
Retumbo gave better velocity, but I'm enjoying the accuracy with H4831.

Crazy good accuracy/velocity in mine with good ole H4831 in my 26" tube with 140 VLDH and 143ELDX, but still haven't set anything in stone yet.

 

[codyadams]

I got out today and shot 54.3, 54.4 and 54.5 grains of H4831.
54.3 and 54.4 both shot 4 in groups at 300 yards.
Mirage was horrible.
Then 54.5 comes in at 1.15" for 5 shots.
Average velocity is 2940 fps with an ES of 15.
While I am happy with 54.5, I can't help but wonder if going to 54.6 might be a better spot where the barrel is quiet.
Have any of you had a good load so near to one with so much dispersion?

That much of a change with only .1-.2 grains difference leads me away from the loads. I personally have never seen that small of a change cause groups to go from 1.3 MOA down to under .5 MOA, and if it did that would be too finicky and non repeatable of a load anyway, and I would try something else. I HAVE however seen mirage make a .25 MOA rifle/shooter combo produce groups well over MOA.