My 6.5x284 Results!

This is just a general over view of what worked and didn't work with my 6.5x284. I had some good starting points from Grey Fox on here and just figured I'd unload some real info from what I've done so far.

Rifle-
Defiance Hunter LA
Bartlein Med Pal 4Groove 1/8 26"
Thunderbeast Ultra 7
BTO-2.508"
Latest load for accuracy and consistency Lapua brass, 140Berger HVLD, Fed GM 210M, Retumbo for 2915avg. No pressure and avg .350" or less. On 3shot groups. ES of 8.

The gun is SOOO sweet to shoot. Zero recoil and noise is very minimal.

What didn't work for my rifle so well was anything with the bullets seated more than .015 off. Seemed the further I got out of the rifling the groups opened up. I stuck with .010" off.

Ended up using this load mainly because I was in a crunch for time to make these hunts. With about 70shots down the barrel there is a significant margin to move up in FPS. I ran one load to 3025 with slight pressure.

First hunt was a cull 8 at 305yds. Shot facing head on. Shot entered exactly between the shoulder blades and dropped him on the spot. TONS of hemmoraging.

Next hunt 2 does at 501yds and 607yds and the 12" gong at 1000yds. Both does hit in the vitals both down in less than 15yds. Unreal damage from the Berger. Exit wounds near baseball size. The 12" gong was a single shot. Roughly 1"high and 5.25"right

Final hunt no pics, doe at 440yds. DRT with results identical to above.

I've always been a Barnes fan. These bergers have made me a believer. The devastation on game at a distance is I feel like almost unmatched. I hope this info helps someone make some decisions! I know it would have with me.

What was the accuracy like when you went up in the fps. Mine at 2990fps and seem to be the best with 10thou off land also

try re26, I'm getting 3015 in my 6.5-06

That is some good shooting. Gorgeous looking rifle. I just shot my HS Precision for the first time yesterday in that same caliber. Seems to like the 140 Accubonds. I tried a few loads using info from the last Nosler book. No hunting for me until much later this year. Unless try some coyote calling.

Accuracy was still less than .5moa, I think with some fine tuning it would do well around 57-58 grns. That was also earlier on in the barrel life. I feel like it's really getting settled in now.

Have you checked to see how much POI shift there is with the Ultra 7 vs without?

Yes. With this rifle it was exactly 2" Low with the Can on from zero.

Nice shooting and beautiful rifle! I've been hunting with a 6.5 x 284 for over 10 years. I use the Hornady 129 Interbond . I'm getting 3100 fps with 51 gr. of 4350. Does not explode as much as the Berger but holds together better. Dropped a cow elk, one shot at 328 yards and still opens up on 500 yard speed goat shots.

I have been using a 6.5x284 with 140 hvlds and H4831sc for a long time. My favorite gun. Ive never been disappointed.

Nicely done!