Another 6.5-284 Norma load thread

[jpfrog]

Okay, so I've posted a few times about the 6.5-284 Norma I cobbled together from a Criterion Remage barrel, a trued 700 action, upgraded trigger, etc., etc.

Long story short, I was really liking the groups I got with 56.0 grains of Retumbo for both of my test bullets- the 147 ELD-M and the 124 Hammer Hunter. Both were shooting in the .2xx" at 100 yards, and both started to open up with test loads of 56.5 and 57.0 grains. I didn't chrono the 124 Hammer Hunters, but I did check speed on the 147 ELD-M and ended up at 2863 fps average over 10 shots.

I know the "golden" number is 2950 fps but that's with a 140 grain bullet, so I was questioning whether I should be content with my 147 going 2863. Well, I don't know if I am. I also REALLY wanted to give the 137 grain Hammer Hunters a try, and those came in several days ago, so I finally sat down and threw together some more test rounds. I'm going to take 0.5 grain increments from 57.5 up to 59.0 grains with the 147 ELD-M and since it's a new bullet I'm not familiar with, I'm going to start at 53.0 grains with the 137 Hammer Hunter and work up slowly to about 57.0 grains, and will stop if I see signs of pressure. I'm hoping to get to the range next weekend to see how they group and chrono.

I will say this- @RockyMtnMT makes one GOOD looking bullet in that 137 grain Hammer Hunter! I've included some pics of a loaded test round next to a test round with the 147 ELD-M. Both rounds have the bullets 0.015" off the lands. Those 137s are LOOOONG! Fortunately, I have a long action, so I have the room in my magazine. I've also included bullet side by sides of the 147 ELD-M, 137 HH, and the 124 HH for comparison.

I wish there weren't so many days between Sunday evening and Saturday morning- I need to get to the range!

 

[dougduey]

I love Hammer Bullets. I shoot them in 5 different calibers.
I'm just about done with final load tweaks for the 124 gr Hammer Hunter. On the top end, my load is 0.417 moa, running 3215 fps using H4831. I've got a lower node that had a 4 shot group of .287 moa, but when I did a velocity check, I had an ES of 60! I'm going to try it again, since my workup had an ES of 2 from 53.7-54.1 gr H4831(working in 0.2 gr increments). Velocity should be 3137 fps, which the first shot over the chrono was! Not sure if I messed something up, so we'll see. I'll report back
I run the 143 gr ELDX with 55.4 gr of Retumbo and a velocity of 2903. It's a little under 0.5 moa, so I can't complain.

 

[Farmerboy78]

I run a 6.5-06 which is a ballistic twin. I'm running 56gr re26, 30-06 norma brass, 140gr Berger hybrid. I'm getting an sd of 3 and 3015 fps average. this load is <3/8" @ 100. I just used this combo this past weekend in fclass where I shot 573 of 600 @ 600yds

 

[Douglasskid]

Gotta try Re26 in my 6.5x284

 

[BUSTINDOGS]

When I got my 6.5-284 I started with retumbo which worked ok then I went to H4831 which is super accurate and gives easy single digits sd numbers but was lacking velocity. Then I used H1000 which gives better velocity than H4831. But I have been really liking the reloder 26 lately great velocity great accuracy super consistent, and in my area alot cheaper.
I was pushing the H1000 to get 2980 fps with a 140 Berger in my gun. I get a nice and easy 2992 fps with RL 26. And a cci-250 mag primer. I would try H4831 with those hammer bullets and H1000 or RL26 with the 140 and heavier bullets

 

[eshorebwhntr]

What is magical about 2950 fps MV?

Load the ladder, check for scatter, verify SD & ES.

Listen to your gun and your targets...not someone else's keyboard.

 

[stx]

tagging in

 

[stx]

When I got my 6.5-284 I started with retumbo which worked ok then I went to H4831 which is super accurate and gives easy single digits sd numbers but was lacking velocity. Then I used H1000 which gives better velocity than H4831. But I have been really liking the reloder 26 lately great velocity great accuracy super consistent, and in my area alot cheaper.
I was pushing the H1000 to get 2980 fps with a 140 Berger in my gun. I get a nice and easy 2992 fps with RL 26. And a cci-250 mag primer. I would try H4831 with those hammer bullets and H1000 or RL26 with the 140 and heavier bullets

Whats your load with RL 26?

 

[BeaverHunter]

What is magical about 2950 fps MV?

Load the ladder, check for scatter, verify SD & ES.

Listen to your gun and your targets...not someone else's keyboard.

I tried the "just look at your sd" method and never could get a good group. I agree with you, find a load that groups well and then confirm the sd and es are solid. Doing it the other way was a waste of my time and components. I had single digit sd's with a load that wouldn't group. Doesn't help that on most factory rifles, you're limited by magazine length so loading the bullets .020 off the lands isn't possible for a lot of people. So unless the bullet/powder combo groups well, who cares about the sd/es or FPS.

 

[BUSTINDOGS]

Stx
Load is
53.6gr RL26
140 Berger hunting vld with a .01 jump using a CCI-250 primer in Lapua brass
My overall length is 3.112 for reference
My last trip to the range I had an average velocity of 3002 fps at 77 degrees

 

[stx]

Stx
Load is
53.6gr RL26
140 Berger hunting vld with a .01 jump using a CCI-250 primer in Lapua brass
My overall length is 3.112 for reference
My last trip to the range I had an average velocity of 3002 fps at 77 degrees

Thanks

 

[jpfrog]

Made it to the range today...before it got unbearably hot. It was still in the mid to upper 90s, but I had fun and got some good data on a few different rifles, so it's a win!

I found a pretty good node on the 147 ELD-M with Retumbo- around 58 grains did the trick at about 3040fps and a grouping in the .3xx" range. I think I can play with seating to get that down, but very happy with it. My 56 grain load was in the .2xx" but the speed was only around 2860fps. I'm hoping I can get this faster load to drop down into the .2xx" range like that 56 grain load, but .3xx" is certainly nothing to cry about.

I also think I'm starting to sound like a broken record...these Hammer Hunters are great! I was previously playing with the 124g 6.5mm bullets, but since I have a 1:7.5" twist I decided to try the 137 as well...even though it's recommended for use with a 1:7" twist. Well, I'm glad I tried! 57 grains of Retumbo gave me 3035fps with the 137gr Hammer Hunters...and the attached group. It was also my last group of the day, so I was tired and I think I rushed the third shot. Even if I didn't, I've got a good load here I think and look forward to working with it a bit more. One thing I noticed with them is that they seem to need a tad more neck tension than the ELD-M needs. I'm going to try a smaller bushing in my die the next time I load some. Now I just need that AMP Annealer Mark 2 to get here so I can anneal these cases...mid to end of the month before that ships, I'm told.

 

[Larson562022]