Nimrodmar10
Well-Known Member
First, let me say I'm no novice to reloading. I've got 40 plus years of rolling my own ammo. I am, however, new to Savage rifles and the 6.5-284 caliber. I've always been a Remington man and know their idiosyncrasies well. My blood runs Remington green. I wanted to try a 6.5-284 and since Remington doesn't make one, I bought the Savage. I have the intention of using it for a walking rifle for deer and antelope so didn't want a heavy barrel. I figured it would fit somewhere between my 243 and my 338 LM.
While waiting for reloading supplies, I broke in the new barrel with HSM factory ammo. Good accurate ammo, but it was loaded to fit a short action magazine. I intended to take advantage of the long action of the Model 111 to load the bullets out to the lands and still fit the long magazine box.
So much for background. I bought a set of Redding Competition Type S dies, new Lapua brass, H4831SC powder, Berger 140 gr. VLD Hunting bullets, Federal GM210M primers and started working on a load. My first loads were one each of 48, 49, 50 and 51 Grs. of H4831SC. They showed no signs of high pressure so I loaded a set of 3 shell each starting with the Bergers seated against the lands then 10, 20, 30 and 40 thousandths off the lands. The bullets seated on the lands grouped at about .75". The next 3 groups grew by 1/4" each until I got to the group loaded .040" off the lands. Those three made a clover leaf hole that measured just over .4". Close enough for a start.
Next I decided to see what the upper limit would be with this bullet and powder. I loaded 10 shells with the first containing 51 grs. H4831SC. I increased each succeeding round with .2 grs. more powder, ending with 53 grs. of powder. I went to the range expecting to reach a maximum safe load way before I fired all 10 shells. Not so. There was no sign of high pressure. The last primer may have been slightly flatter on the last than on the first, but not by much. There was no cratering around the firing pin dent like I would expect with a Remington. No sticky bolt. No expansion of the case head.
So, here's my question: What next? Keep increasing the load until I see pressure signs? Use the 51 gr. maximum load listed in the Berger loading manual? Start testing for accuracy with the 10 test loads?
I want the fastest, most accurate load I can find. I'm not worried about burning out the barrel with hot loads, which this caliber seems to be famous for. This is a hunting gun. I'll shoot it until I find the load I want then I'll only shoot it for practice and hunting.I'll probably never shoot it enough to burn out the barrel, but if I do, I'll rebarrel it.
What I'm looking for is advice from folks that have hands-on experience with this rifle or the 6.5-284 loaded long with the Bergers. Someone with experience with both would be great. I'm also wondering how much extra velocity you can get at a safe pressure by seating the bullet to the bottom of the case neck, freeing up quite a bit of case capacity.
I appreciate all the good info I can get. I learn something new every day.
While waiting for reloading supplies, I broke in the new barrel with HSM factory ammo. Good accurate ammo, but it was loaded to fit a short action magazine. I intended to take advantage of the long action of the Model 111 to load the bullets out to the lands and still fit the long magazine box.
So much for background. I bought a set of Redding Competition Type S dies, new Lapua brass, H4831SC powder, Berger 140 gr. VLD Hunting bullets, Federal GM210M primers and started working on a load. My first loads were one each of 48, 49, 50 and 51 Grs. of H4831SC. They showed no signs of high pressure so I loaded a set of 3 shell each starting with the Bergers seated against the lands then 10, 20, 30 and 40 thousandths off the lands. The bullets seated on the lands grouped at about .75". The next 3 groups grew by 1/4" each until I got to the group loaded .040" off the lands. Those three made a clover leaf hole that measured just over .4". Close enough for a start.
Next I decided to see what the upper limit would be with this bullet and powder. I loaded 10 shells with the first containing 51 grs. H4831SC. I increased each succeeding round with .2 grs. more powder, ending with 53 grs. of powder. I went to the range expecting to reach a maximum safe load way before I fired all 10 shells. Not so. There was no sign of high pressure. The last primer may have been slightly flatter on the last than on the first, but not by much. There was no cratering around the firing pin dent like I would expect with a Remington. No sticky bolt. No expansion of the case head.
So, here's my question: What next? Keep increasing the load until I see pressure signs? Use the 51 gr. maximum load listed in the Berger loading manual? Start testing for accuracy with the 10 test loads?
I want the fastest, most accurate load I can find. I'm not worried about burning out the barrel with hot loads, which this caliber seems to be famous for. This is a hunting gun. I'll shoot it until I find the load I want then I'll only shoot it for practice and hunting.I'll probably never shoot it enough to burn out the barrel, but if I do, I'll rebarrel it.
What I'm looking for is advice from folks that have hands-on experience with this rifle or the 6.5-284 loaded long with the Bergers. Someone with experience with both would be great. I'm also wondering how much extra velocity you can get at a safe pressure by seating the bullet to the bottom of the case neck, freeing up quite a bit of case capacity.
I appreciate all the good info I can get. I learn something new every day.
