New 6.5-284, keep working on load development???

I have been testing loads over several trips to the range. Accuracy has been great ( always less than MOA), but my extreme spread for velocity has been way to high (most 5 shot groups over 50 fps extreme spread). Today was finally the exception, ran a 6 shot group with H1000 and another with H4831, both shot at 20 ES. The H1000 is getting the velocity I was hoping for and looks very accurate. So, the question is, do I still try and find a good node and run through a ladder test? This is going to be my new deer hunting gun and will be shooting lots of steel out to 1000. I am thinking of loading up some of the H1000 and shoot some groups at 800 yards, if I get close to ½ moa I just call it good. Any thoughts?

Build details

6.5-284

Defiance Deviant Hunter

Proof Sendero light

McMillian Game Hunter with edge fill

Leupold VX6 3-18

APA scope rings

Hawkins bottom metal and brake

Timney trigger

Keeping trying! Did you try H4831sc?

If accuracy is good but ES is high then neck tension might be an issue?

I'd take that H1000 load out to distance and see how she does, looks like a winner to me.

My 6.5-06 using IMR-4350 , Barnes 120gr TSX, 3277fps. Very low shot to shot vel divination. Super accurate. 24" E.R. Shaw stainless Bbl., 1/8 twist. My longest target on my range, 522yds. Shoots this rang easily. Gets there right now.

Nice group...
but which bullet....missed that...
If it's 140 right in the ballpark....less grains..maybe faster...the sd will fall as you the best...
I have had 12 fps dev. and down to 4 sd...
But that is right at the top of the fps for me....if i remember correctly..
142lrab...3070fps...but three shots opened up lapua brass pockets...
Kicked it down to 2975 or so.....shoots deer down well...two last year traveled from stem to stern...found both bullets...perfect performance...

duckhunter175 said:

Keeping trying! Did you try H4831sc?

If accuracy is good but ES is high then neck tension might be an issue?

Click to expand...

I have ran the H4831 but the H1000 is shooting really good. I did lube the inside of the necks and that really helped drop the ES to good values.

26Reload said:

Nice group...
but which bullet....missed that...
If it's 140 right in the ballpark....less grains..maybe faster...the sd will fall as you the best...
I have had 12 fps dev. and down to 4 sd...
But that is right at the top of the fps for me....if i remember correctly..
142lrab...3070fps...but three shots opened up lapua brass pockets...
Kicked it down to 2975 or so.....shoots deer down well...two last year traveled from stem to stern...found both bullets...perfect performance...

Click to expand...

I have been shooting the Berger 140 vld hunter. At 2975 I was not wanting to go faster and start creating other problems. No pressure signs at this time. I am a big fan of hunting with Accubonds, I might give the 142's a try.

Never tried the VLDs in mine but people say they are seating depth sensitive. I ran 140gr Amax and 130gr NABs at magazine length with RL19 and had 1/2 moa results we acceptable (for hunting) ES.

You know that lots of guys chase that last tiny bit? But if you look at money and time spent to gain tiny little amounts it's not cost efficient? You are looking at re-barreling
by the time you find the "exact" load But the new barrel likes something different?
I go until I'm happy and just shoot it!
With a fairly hot rifle like a 6.5 X 284 the Ace load at 300 rounds might not be the one at 750 rounds? Things change..

Looks like a great load. I agree try it at 600 to 1000 yards. Just for another load try 57-58 gr. Retumbo with 140 gr. Berger VLD. Works great in my BOTW 6.5x284. 3000 fp, ES around 10.

First off what chrono are you using ? If not Lab Radar or MS that may be your problem.
High ES can be from neck tension/annealing issues. What brass are you using ? How do you prep your brass ? How often do you anneal ? Have you checked runout ? Tried different primers ?
What are you using to measure powder ?
I have good loads with H1000 & Retumbo

My first thought would be to try a different primer, especially if you are using magnum primers, try a premium standard primer like CCI BRs

Jeffrthehunter said:

I have ran the H4831 but the H1000 is shooting really good. I did lube the inside of the necks and that really helped drop the ES to good values.

Click to expand...

Hey Jeffrthehunter, with what and how do you lube your neck. I'm starting load development for my 26" 1 to 8 Encore. I'm bound and determined to make my Swift 130 grain Scirocco work until it doesn't.

Any experience with 130 grain Scirocco in a 26" barrel? I'm starting load development. Looking to do some long range wolf hunting.