Starting loads for 6.5x284 Norma

[Bang4theBuck]

I am working up my first handloads for the 6.5x284 norma. I have read that 47-49 grains of H4350 is a pretty dependable range for working up charges. I worked with a custom ammo company make up some loads for me, and the best accuracy came from the 140 grain Berger VLDs with a OAL of 3.193". The rifle is a custom built off of a remington long action, so we chose to seat the bullets out a ways. I have worked up loads stating at 47 grains, and stepping up .2 grains through 49.4 grains. Can anyone tell me what sort of pressure/velocity I can expect out of this range of charge? The barrel is a 26" Hart. None of the online literature from the manufacturers has been very helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

[dok7mm]

I have owned 3 custom 6.5-284s. 25" Kreiger,28" Kreiger, and 26" Brux and all have been 1/4-3/8 moa with H-4831 and 140 Berger HVLDs. Charges of 51- 53 gr of the regular cut ( fills case better) in Lapua brass w/ Fed 210 M primers. Velocities ranged from 2935 to 3040 in my rifles. If you want your barrel to last, look for a sweet spot between 2935-2975. I never had much luck with accuracy & 4350. Hope this helps.

 

[dok7mm]

Some bullets will group tighter at 1-200 yds than the Bergers. Test at 3-500 yds and the Bergers will shine. Two of mine were 3/4" at 200 and 1/4" @ 400. I am in process of sorting 140 Amax pills to try in my hunting rig.

 

[Greyfox]

I have owned 3 custom 6.5-284s. 25" Kreiger,28" Kreiger, and 26" Brux and all have been 1/4-3/8 moa with H-4831 and 140 Berger HVLDs. Charges of 51- 53 gr of the regular cut ( fills case better) in Lapua brass w/ Fed 210 M primers. Velocities ranged from 2935 to 3040 in my rifles. If you want your barrel to last, look for a sweet spot between 2935-2975. I never had much luck with accuracy & 4350. Hope this helps.

I have also gotten excellent results with this load at 53gr H4831sc but top off at 2940FPS with my 24/26" hunting rifles. I use 57-59gr of Retumbo which gives me 2975-3025FPS, getting consistent sub .5MOA accuracy, excellent temperature stability, and low ES in my rifles. H4350 did not produce the same level of accuracy in my rifles.

 

[Bang4theBuck]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I also didn't consider the barrel twist (1 in 9) when I made my bullet selection, so things might not go well at all. I won't go to the range with the highest of hopes, and maybe I will get lucky. The longer range testing was great advice. I'll do that. In either case, I will post my results. Maybe it will help someone else with their development, for what not to do.

 

[duckhunter175]

I just finished up working a load for my 6.5x284 Savage LRH. I am taking it on a Coues deer hunt in 4 weeks.

Factory Nosler Brass, Fed 210m, 140gr Amax and 50.5gr RL-19

and

Lapua Brass, Fed 210m, 140gr Amax and 51gr H4831sc

Worked up to each and got 1/2moa at 100m from bipod.

 

[mmayberry]

Tag

 

[Bang4theBuck]

Update 10-04-15 I loaded up some cartriges with H4350 and H4831. I am not exactly jumping up and down with the results. I only had 24 140gr VLDs, so I had to load some with them , and some with the 139gr Scenars. I am attaching photos of the results. I only made 2 of the 47gr (4350 loads), because I ran out of bullets. Please have a look at the pictures and tell me what is says to some of you experts. As a point of clarification, I was wrong when I stated previously that I had a 9 twist barrel. It is an 8 twist, so that should not hae any negative effects on these groups as far as bullet stabilization. I have multiple rifles that shoot sub 3/8 MOA with me behind them, so I don't think that trigger control accounts for the horizontal stringing, but I guess it is possible. Please send along your thoughts on what these results say to you all. Thaks in advance.

 

[Bang4theBuck]

47-47.4 gr 4350

 

[Bang4theBuck]

more loads with H4350

 

[Bang4theBuck]

H 4831 51, 51.5, 52gr 139gr Scenars

 

[Bang4theBuck]

h4831 52.5, 53gr with 139 gr scenars

 

[Bang4theBuck]

forgot attachment

 

[C.O. Shooter]

This is my current load: 6.5-284: 140 Berger VLD Hunting, 49gr H4350, Lapua Brass, Fed210M Primers = 3072 FPS. I have confirmed this load at 600, 800, 1000, 1250, and 1365 yards. I recently shot a 7.5" group at 1365 yards with this load. I'm running a 28" Brux Barrel.