• Winner! Quick Shot Challenge: Caption This Sniper Fail Meme

    View thread

6.5x284 reloading

TEAMSENDIT

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Sep 22, 2008
    2,947
    29
    45
    whidbey island
    I just ordered a lawton 7000 la for a 6.5x284 build. I am putting on a benchmark barrel in 8.5twist at either 28" or 30". what i am looking for is some good load data. you guys always seem to through in this department so let me know what works in your rifle.

    thanks scott
     
    Re: 6.5x284 reloading

    I have seen that page I was hoping to find some hotter loads. if I can't get velocity above 3000 I might switch to a 280ai or standard 284. I already have a 243ai which shoots 107 to 3100fps with fireforming loads I was hoping to build something just a hair better than that.
     
    Re: 6.5x284 reloading

    That would have been a hot hot hot load out of my rifle, but I may have had a sloppy chamber. My rifle would only run 48.0gr of 4350 before primer pockets strated opening up, and would not seat securely, ruining brass, extractor marks, basicly everything that can go wrong because of too hot of a load. I would strongly advise you work up to that charge, starting somewhere around 47.0-47.5gr of H4350.
     
    Re: 6.5x284 reloading

    remember I am willing to go to a 30" barrel to gain velocity, i assumed I would be using H4831, H1000, retumbo, RL 22or 25. I never thought that H4350 would work well for the heavies in the 6.5x284 I thought a slower burning powder would do better.
     
    Re: 6.5x284 reloading

    I have tried RL17 with 140g JLK's with alot of success.

    In doing the Optimum Charge Weight testing with this powder, I started at 49.8g and progressed up to 51g (no pressure signs for me at 51g in my rifle). I have a 28 inch barrel on my rifle and my results were as follows:
    49.8g -3106/29/15- 0.501 inch
    50.1g -3130/18/10- 0.667 inch
    50.4g -3139/10/5 - 0.588 inch
    50.7g -3151/16/8 - 1.021 inch
    51.0g -3179/13/7 - 0.714 inch

    I settled on 50.2g and loaded up 5 and shot a 0.833 group at 200y with that bullet at about 3130fps. I have been shooting this load off/on at 300y and holding very good groups with low ES (<10) and very little vertical. I have been impressed so far.

    Again, rifles vary-so please work up to these loads.
     
    Re: 6.5x284 reloading

    those numbers are out of a 28" barrel. I have ran them up to 3150 but just not the accuracy I was looking for.

    And yes, anything over 48grs is a getting on the warm side of loading.

    What I have been told the go to powders for the 6.5 is H4831 and H4350.

    your 107gr have a BC of .530 and the 140 Bergers are .614. That is right around what a 7mm 168 vld runs. A 280AI shooting a 168 VLD would be another good choice with better barrel life than a 6.5 for sure.
     
    Re: 6.5x284 reloading

    After shooting my 6.5x284, the round is a laser beam. Its accurate, and its a long range cartridge, the only problem is barrel life.

    After my experiance with that, I think my next build is going to be a 7mm-08. 7mm bergers are viscious and barrel life is substantial, according to all accounts.

    The other powder that 6.5x284 shooters :in the know" have suggested the H4831sc. I tried it out, but could not get advertised velocities out of it. And the fastest that I could run the 142smk or the 140 Berger VLDs were around 3000fps, but I was ruining brass
    sick.gif
    , and at a $1 a pop, I will take 2900-2950 all day.
     
    Re: 6.5x284 reloading

    I'm using 51.3grs H4831SC/Fed210M/Lapua and the 142SMK. With a 28' Kreiger I'm getting an average of 2900fps with an ES of 5fps. Still have 1491fps at 1000yds. Easy bolt lift, no indications of too much horsepower, tested at 94F.

    AG in NC
     
    Re: 6.5x284 reloading

    54.5g H1000 is another good load for me in my 6.5x284. Actually, I shoot this powder charge more often than RL17, although only at about 2950 fps. The ES is lower with this powder and I am trying to convince myself that slower powders will give longer throat life.