Looking for advice 6.5x284

[Longranger1]

I'm building a 22" barrel 6.5x284 on a long action. I know the cartridge does great and "better" in a long barrel as I've had several of them over the years. But I'm wanting to do a short barrel this time for a lighter weight And more maneuverable rifle and I'm trying to decide on either the 144 or 153.5 bergers. And more importantly which powder would give the best velocity and temperature stability. Use will be hunting and target shooting out to 1000 yards, our matches only shoot 5 shot strings. Thanks for any and all advice

 

[338 dude]

I've had a 6.5 x 284 Norma for about nine years a couple years back. I went from a 26 inch barrel to a 22 to accommodate a suppressor. I went with 130 grain bullets to keep my velocities near 3000 fps.
As you can tell by the one target, my rifle does not like Hornady bullets. The only thing changed on that target is the projectile and you can see the difference.

 

[Longranger1]

I've had a 6.5 x 284 Norma for about nine years a couple years back. I went from a 26 inch barrel to a 22 to accommodate a suppressor. I went with 130 grain bullets to keep my velocities near 3000 fps.
As you can tell by the one target, my rifle does not like Hornady bullets. The only thing changed on that target is the projectile and you can see the difference.

I think I've bout decided to shoot the 144's and my goal is 2900 fps just trying to figure out which powder

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

I'm building a 22" barrel 6.5x284 on a long action. I know the cartridge does great and "better" in a long barrel as I've had several of them over the years. But I'm wanting to do a short barrel this time for a lighter weight And more maneuverable rifle and I'm trying to decide on either the 144 or 153.5 bergers. And more importantly which powder would give the best velocity and temperature stability. Use will be hunting and target shooting out to 1000 yards, our matches only shoot 5 shot strings. Thanks for any and all advice

Need to watch your twist with 144 or 153.5gr.
We are not fans of shorter barrels.
Going with a 1:8
H-4350 or maybe better use H-4831SC
SMK142

 

[Longranger1]

Need to watch your twist with 144 or 153.5gr.
We are not fans of shorter barrels.
Going with a 1:8
H-4350 or maybe better use H-4831SC
SMK142

Yea mine is a 8 twist

 

[Longranger1]

Need to watch your twist with 144 or 153.5gr.
We are not fans of shorter barrels.
Going with a 1:8
H-4350 or maybe better use H-4831SC
SMK142

Also how does the 142 smk compare to the 144 Berger the Berger has a way higher BC

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Also how does the 142 smk compare to the 144 Berger the Berger has a way higher BC

The 142 SMK have a good BC and also can Kill a Deer, Prong Horn, and Ek.
Depends on how well the bullet shoots in your rifle. If you have a Berger @655 G1 and a SMK 626 but you need to look at what shoots better. We love Begers in 6mm and SMK in 6.5mm.
If you have a higher BC and not the right twist rate?????
AND then what POWDER the bullet and barrel likes????

 

[Longranger1]

The 142 SMK have a good BC and also can Kill a Deer, Prong Horn, and Ek.
Depends on how well the bullet shoots in your rifle. If you have a Berger @655 G1 and a SMK 626 but you need to look at what shoots better. We love Begers in 6mm and SMK in 6.5mm.
If you have a higher BC and not the right twist rate?????
AND then what POWDER the bullet and barrel likes????

Is the .626 G1 what you have found to be true a lot of data shows them to be a .58-.59 range but if the .626 is legit that seems more accurate, I had a bad experience with the 90g smk in 22 cal with the published bc was no where near what real world was

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Is the .626 G1 what you have found to be true a lot of data shows them to be a .58-.59 range but if the .626 is legit that seems more accurate, I had a bad experience with the 90g smk in 22 cal with the published bc was no where near what real world was

I am not going to debate what BC is correct. It is what the manufactures post!
I probably should not have engaged in this conversation on the 6.5x284.
We have built a few and just trying help out with some information.
There is a lot of information out there and anyone needs to work up loads on their own to see what works best in their rifle.
GL on your build and please share your information with the rest of us!
Len & Jill

 

[RB II]

IMO, if I was building the rifle like you want, I would shoot 130 AccuBonds or the 124 Hammer Hunter. Lots of velocity, lots of accuracy and lots of terminal performance. H4831SC is a very good powder in mine.

Or you could do what I am trying, the 99 HH in my 6.5-284. Finished the load with this target yesterday. I think I like it.

 

[Longranger1]

I am not going to debate what BC is correct. It is what the manufactures post!
I probably should not have engaged in this conversation on the 6.5x284.
We have built a few and just trying help out with some information.
There is a lot of information out there and anyone needs to work up loads on their own to see what works best in their rifle.
GL on your build and please share your information with the rest of us!
Len & Jill

Thanks for the advice brother and I totally agree with you and will update this post after I try some things

 

[cabelasken]

I'm building a 22" barrel 6.5x284 on a long action. I know the cartridge does great and "better" in a long barrel as I've had several of them over the years. But I'm wanting to do a short barrel this time for a lighter weight And more maneuverable rifle and I'm trying to decide on either the 144 or 153.5 bergers. And more importantly which powder would give the best velocity and temperature stability. Use will be hunting and target shooting out to 1000 yards, our matches only shoot 5 shot strings. Thanks for any and all advice

I would add the 123 absolute hammers to the bullet list. They perform very well on game from my Creedmore and velocity from a 6.5X284 should be easily north of 3200

 

[comfisherman]

I went 19 inches on one in the way back machine... only did 130grain bullets at the time. 22 isn't crazy short, but my barrel testing taught me the extreme light for caliber and heavy for caliber bullets gave up more fps per inch over the more moderate weight per bore. Something to think about at any rate.

 

[SCVOJTA]

28" barrel 9tw 150 smk's and it likes them as well as the 142's. 2950 w/N165 or H4831. I just like heavier pills, but depends really what you are shooting at...Great caliber! Enjoy!