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6.5-284 powder help.

30 Oct 2016
@ 11:04 pm (GMT)

Rory Wilks

I am getting a new 6.5-284 that I will be setting up for longer range mule deer hunting, loaded with the ELD-X. I would like to have pretty high velocity while still maintaining great accuracy. I hand load the 7mm rem mag and .243, but never have for the 6.5-284. I have read people are getting around 3000 fps with retumbo and good accuracy so I might try that. Any advice is much appreciated!
Also does anyone have any idea if superformance would be of any benefit for good velocities in the 6.5-284? I know it works with some cartridges but doesn't with others.
Also just to clarify, I am looking for higher end velocities in the 6.5-284 but not really needing super high velocities to where I should get a 26 nosler instead or some other high velocity 6.5 etc. Just wanting to get the most hunting range out of the 6.5-284 but then possibly load some more mild loads for shooting steel and practice.
Long "question", sorry.
Thanks in advance!

Replies

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01 Nov 2016
@ 05:46 am (GMT)

mark whiteley

Re: 6.5-284 powder help.
Hi Rory
I use ADI 2209 for 2950 fps and one hole performance with 142gr smk's, 130gr acubonds and 140gr bergers, I have tried ADI 2213sc which is another good powder but I find better es and consistency with the 2209 and the sweat spot is at around 2950 fps but I have pushed it harder.
my 6.5x284 is chambered with a Whitley 2 6.5x284 norma reamer from JGS which is made for using lapua brass using CIP standards, the dimentions of the win 6.5x284 saami reamer are different and is for winchester 284 brass to be necked down, apparently the lapua brass wont fit into the win saami chamber as its too tight
Nathan has done quite a write up on the 6.5x284 in his knowledge base that was a big influence when I had mine barreled.
my rifle is a hunting rifle that I use for deer and am very happy with it although I do practice with other rifle's as I want to preserve the barrel

I am very happy with mine
cheers
02 Nov 2016
@ 01:40 am (GMT)

Lane Salvato

Re: 6.5-284 powder help.
Mark,

That's a beautiful stock. Did you finish it yourself? I love wood stocks but it seems most precision long range fellows opt for the composite stocks. Great setup!

Do you find that the fast 6.5's are barrel burners or is that just another old wive's tale? I'm just asking for fun.

Have a good one!
02 Nov 2016
@ 05:01 am (GMT)

Rory Wilks

Re: 6.5-284 powder help.
Thanks for the information Mark. That's a nice rifle! I'm just getting a savage 111, 6.5-284 Norma. It may stay as is or I might replace the stock right away.
With the new 143 grain ELD-X it should be a pretty nice deer rifle out to pretty good distance, maybe even extend the range a little from the write up Nathan did in the Knowledge base. I think it will be a fun cartridge!
Thanks again.
02 Nov 2016
@ 10:37 am (GMT)

mark whiteley

Re: 6.5-284 powder help.
It is a beautiful stock Lane,
its a Richards microfit AA grade claro walnut benchmark stock that I have spent a hell of a lot of time (weeks) shaping and finishing in danish oil,
I made this rifle to my taste and I understand it's not for everyone but that's fine not everyone is a mauserholic like me LOL,
The guys who use the 6.5 x 284 for comp believe it is a barrel burner for winning the competitions, for comp use they usually only get 1000 rounds between barrels but that is competition winning accuracy,
for hunting I don't see it any more a barrel burner than a 300wm
that's why I don't play with it at the range, only check the zero and hunt.
It is an easy cartridge to shoot and is a lot of fun
regards mark

02 Nov 2016
@ 10:08 pm (GMT)

Nathan Foster

Re: 6.5-284 powder help.
As Mark says, that is the trouble as you go to slow- ES can get mucked around if the barrel is not long enough to give a consistent burn. H4350 (2209) is on the fast side but very responsive- change by .2 of a grain and you see a meaningful change in results. H4831sc (2213sc) sits in the middle. H1000 (2217) is very slow. SF burn rate is somewhere between H4831 and 2217. You can fit more powder into the case, but hard to say how much more speed you'll get. I went over throat specs in the Cartridges book but based on evidence studying client rifles, exact sweet spots can be anywhere from 2850 to 2950fps regardless of predictions. That puts 2900fps as the average in a hunting rifle with 24-26" barrel.

To be honest, if you really want to chase velocity, stop now and start over with the .264 Win Mag. Otherwise, be utterly clear that sweet spots may be anywhere from 2850 to 2950fps. Definitely good advice regarding ES- so often overlooked (the .26 is notorious for high ES as a result of 50bmg spherical powder).

If yours goes fast with sub half minute accuracy, so be it. But start with clear expectations. This cartridge is a good performer in any case. Later when the 147gr ELDM becomes available, you will have even more reach and down range energy. Good to see the 140gr was given a full overhaul too, not just a new tip.
03 Nov 2016
@ 06:56 am (GMT)

Rory Wilks

Re: 6.5-284 powder help.
Thanks for the response Nathan. I think I'll be pretty happy with those velocities you mentioned. I'll go for consistent accuracy first, velocity second. If I end up on the fast side then it's a little bonus. I've wanted a 6.5-284 Norma for a few years now because it seems like a good longer range cartridge that has moderate recoil, moderate bang, good ballistics, high BC bullets both for target shooting as well as large enough to be a good deer rifle. After I read some of your initial testing you did with the 6.5 ELD-X, I felt like that bullet and the velocity of the 6.5-284 are really well matched up for mule deer hunting, from up close shots out to quite long ranges. I could be totally wrong but I am thinking at my 7000 ft elevation if it will reliably expand down to 1600 fps, then it should probably put me in the ball park of 700 - 800 yards or so for mule deer, depending on my initial velocity right. That's a long ways for me right now but I plan to practice a lot with it, so maybe some day. But I guess as you mentioned also when they have the new ELDM 147 grain bullet I can reach out far with it too. I'm excited to get shooting the gun! Seems like a good all around cartridge for my long range play and deer needs!
Thanks for sharing so much knowledge all the time!
12 Nov 2016
@ 12:56 am (GMT)

Dale Wilhelm

Re: 6.5-284 powder help.
I haven't yet run my 6.5-284 over the chronograph as I only whipped up some quick loads to get it running for a hunting trip. With the 140gr Accubonds and 2213sc I ran 5 groups 1 grain apart. The worst was about 1.5moa, two groups around 3/4 and the heaviest load was 1/2moa. For a hunting rifle I'm quite happy with that and won't be messing round chasing better as it will only eat in to the barrel life. I am expecting that it should be running around 2800fps, not too concerned but faster would be a bonus.
The only reason I went for 2213sc was that long term it is going to be the easiest to source. A lot of the other powders can be a pain to get regular supplies in NZ.
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