6.5 x 284 / H4831SC

[TackDriv3r]

Going to work up a load for the 6.5 x 284 ( 27 inch barrel ) with H4831SC and 123 SMK, I see three nodes on Quickload with #4 node as the fastest around 3175 fps ( 57.6 grains) . What loads ( powders ) do most of you who sling 120 to 123 bullets out of the 6 .5 x 284 and what velocity? Just curious about highest velocity because reloading manuals say 51 grains as max charge when QL max charge would be 57+ grains. Of course I will do the .4 increment loads to find max load. Just don't want to waste bullets on a barrel burner. This barrel is close to its demise.

 

[Trnelson]

Yikes! That 57g load isn't something I'd advise trying. I ran into pressure with the 123 AMAX at 53.2g in my rifle. 53.0g didn't show any sign went over the magnetospeed at 3,088 and 53.2g have me a heavy bolt lift and strong ejector mark and went 3,191fps. Every rifle is different, you may not even get that far.
This may be an irrelevant question, but why would you develop a new load in a barrel that is close to the end of its usefulness??

 

[TackDriv3r]

Yikes! That 57g load isn't something I'd advise trying. I ran into pressure with the 123 AMAX at 53.2g in my rifle. 53.0g didn't show any sign went over the magnetospeed at 3,088 and 53.2g have me a heavy bolt lift and strong ejector mark and went 3,191fps. Every rifle is different, you may not even get that far.
This may be an irrelevant question, but why would you develop a new load in a barrel that is close to the end of its usefulness??

I figured that the 57 grain load is too hot its why I was curious. In response to your good question, I had a great load with 123 SMK and H4831SC before I ran out of the old batch of powder. Just got a new 8 pounder and I will need to find that sweet spot which may be within the 5% under or over on the 50.5 grain charge I used which I used for years. So I figured I can shoot a new load until the barrel tells me that its no longer shooting well and maybe I'll clean out the throat with JB bore paste to see if it'll shoot again, if not then I'll send it off to install a new barrel.

 

[johnnyk]

I played with the 120gn bullets for a few hundred rounds. My stock, heavy barreled Savage shot the SMK and Nosler Ballistic Tips rather nicely.

I bought my rifle in March of 2010 and back then AA3100 was still available, somewhat, and it was pretty accurate, at least in my rifle. It consistently shot groups in the .3's and .4's. After A3100 ran out I played with IMR4831, H4350 and RL22, using 120's, 100gn pills and some 140gn Accu-Tips. All these combo's were pretty accurate. I used 52.0gn of IMR4831, BR2's and 120gn BTips for deer hunting.

I also loaded the 120gn Ballistic Tip's with RL25 and BR2's, trying 58.0, 58.5 and 59.0gn's, settling on 58.5gn. Velocity averaged 3225fps and accuracy ran .3445" @ 100yds. This was my go to load for a while. I killed several deer with this load and shot some fantastic 500yd groups with it. My best being 1.75" but most hovering @ 2". I know it's supposedly temp sensitive but it shoots good.

I have since moved on to the 140-143gn projectiles and 58-59gn's of Retumbo and BR2's. My best group with the 140gn A-Max is a 13" group @ 1500yds. Not a match winner but it was under MOA and I was pleased with my stock Savage and my first attempt at almost a mile.

Kinda long winded but I have thoroughly enjoyed shooting the 6.5-284Norma. Probably the most accurate, deer killer I have ever used. JohnnyK.