6.5x284 Varmint Load?

[swampshooter]

I've quit shooting F-Class due to arthritis in my neck and would like to use my 6.5x284 shooting prairie dogs. I have some 100 gr. and 120 gr. Sierras left over from another rifle. Due to the component shortage I would probably like to start with these. Any ideas?

 

[Rimfire]

What was your F class load?

Do you have another rifle for the closer ones

 

[swampshooter]

I have 3 or 4 others for 400 or under. But I can't hardly see shooting 140-142 gr. bullets at young prairie dogs. Maybe I should though, just set it up for an over 400 yds. rifle. I was thinking to set it up for 3-500 yds, but maybe 400+ would make more sense. There is a problem with bullet availability though. I already have enough 120 Sierras if I shoot them.

 

[Rimfire]

Mine were used on deer / g-hog comps and live ground hogs. I shot mainly 142's but gave 120 NBT's a go and they shot great. I only used it as a 400 and out on G-hogs so that was between 0-10 shots on an outing. I think if you use it for under 400 on p-dogs you could nuke a barrel on a good day. I would shoot it long and use what works best.

I have since went to a 8 twist no neck turn 6br and barrels are lasting longer

 

[swampshooter]

It's a barrel burner for sure, but any really flat shooting varmint load is. When this bbl. is gone I'm going to re-barrel to another barrel burner of some kind. I'll have 3 or 4 other rifles with me, so I won't burn it out in one trip. This barrel only has 160 rds through it. I also shoot prairie dogs with a 22 Hornet, a 223AI, a 204 and a 243. None of my bbls. currently have a high round count. Between all of them I only shoot about 2,000 rds per year, most of those through the three smaller caliber rifles.

 

[johnnyk]

swampshooter,
I had great luck with the 100gn Ballistic Tip, but unfortunately it was with AA3100, which is no longer available. Great powder, wish it was still around. It also slung the 120gn SMK's in tight clusters.
120gn SMK, IMR 4831, 50.0-51.5gn's & BR2's shot sub MOA. I tried this load based on a shooting friends suggestion. While his rifle shot them a lot tighter, mine was so-so (.4-.8"), which is nothing spectacular, especially for a 6.5-284.
I tried some Sierra 100gn HP's using H4350/BR2's. 53.5gn & 54.0gn were .204" and .257", respectively. The 54.0gn load averaged 3331fps in my stock Savage w/26" barrel.
120gn NBT, IMR 4831, BR2, 52.0gn averaged .381" and 3145fps.
120gn NBT, RL25, BR2, 58.5gn = .3445" @ 3225fps, 59.0gn = .380" @ 3267fps. Pleasantly surprised with this load. It turned out 1.5 - 1.75" groups at 500yds.
I tried the 130gn Berger Hunting VLD and 140gn Accutip with various powder's and nothing really stood out. I got a few sub 1/2" groups but they usually couldn't be repeated. JohnnyK.

 

[swampshooter]

I've still got about 3#'s of 3100. I'll give it a try. Do you remember any other particulars about that load that worked so well for you?
Thanks for your help. The 120's might work well for me also.

 

[264WM]

The Hodgdon online reloading chart has a lot of good data for the 6.5x284. I load 85gr sierras HP, 95gr Hornady Vmax, 100gr sierra HP, and 100gr Nosler BT in my 264wm with 72gr H4831. The 100 gr bullets work great on deer also. Rock Chucks are starting to come out here in Eastern Washington.

 

[johnnyk]

swampshooter,

For the 100gn Ballistic Tip, I used 54.5gn of AA3100 w/BR2 primers, with bullets seated .010" off.

For the 120gn SMK, using AA3100/BR2's, 53.5gn produced .346" and 54.0gn produced .3845". Not a lot of difference in the accuracy but never got a chance to chrono either of these loads.

JohnnyK.

 

[PaperPuncher]

swampshooter,

For the 100gn Ballistic Tip, I used 54.5gn of AA3100 w/BR2 primers, with bullets seated .010" off.

For the 120gn SMK, using AA3100/BR2's, 53.5gn produced .346" and 54.0gn produced .3845". Not a lot of difference in the accuracy but never got a chance to chrono either of these loads.

JohnnyK.

I found my load the same load except a 120gr NBT, I know they shot in the 4's and i cant find where i chrono them it was a few years ago,maybe longer.

 

[65WSM]

My 6.5-284 is a portable deer rifle. I like the 85 Sierra because I do not have a brake and prefer less recoil. I have shot the 100 gr Sierra, which does open up compared to the 100 and 120 gr Ballistic tips in coyotes. I like to use a CCI 250 or Wolf magnum primer under 2.0 to 2.1 grams of Accurate 5744. for 2700 to 3050 fps. These will shoot under an inch with SD in the teens. Surprising with room in the case. All bullets HBN coated. I believe this load will not destroy your barrel quite as fast.

To go fast, I like Reloader 17, VV N-550, Reloader 19 and IMR 4350 in that order. Although I doubt that any powder has the formula advantage over Reloader 17 from Nitrochem in Switzerland, Superperformance, Hunter and MagPro might be worth trying.

 

[nifrand]

I shoot the Sierra107 HPBT Match under57grs Ramshot Hunter.Very accurate.



Randy

 

[65WSM]

I like the 85 gr Sierra for varmints. We have coyotes, marmots and crows in my region.

I have Reloader 17 loads for high velocity to 400 yards and I load 2.15 grams (yes grams) of Accurate 5744 as a short range reduced load at about 2900 fps. I use F210s for both in Lapua cases.

The 85 gr Sierra expands on varmints. The 100 gr Ballistic Tip is a big game and not a varmint bullet. I once shot two coyotes with one bullet. One was facing West the other East. The one facing West had bullet diameter entrance and exit holes, the East facing coyote had a big exit hole. The bullet finally expanded.

The 85 gr will expand on crows. The 100 gr Ballistic Tip will not. I have tried both.