150 SMKs and the 6.5 x 284 ***UPDATE***

[Longrange57]

I am starting with h1000 to see how it does. It is supposed to burn a little cooler than rl26
I do get both accuracy and velocity in a standard 260 with 142 smks

Just an update! ShootDots, I was wondering if you got things ironed out with 150 SMK? I recently put new barrel on 6.5 x 284. Kreiger 8tw 26 inch 1.250 straight. Decided based upon what I read on this thread to try H1000 and I was pleasantly surprised! Ran a ladder test at 100 yds and got best results at 55.0 gr H1000 with 150 SMK (Weights 149.90--149.98). After 15 shots and cooling barrel every three shots...cleaned barrel! Next 4 groups were great at .340, .215, 210, .260 at 55.0 gr. Cleaned again, moved out to 300 yd...3 five shot groups .750, ,650, .650. Velocity is only running 2850-2860. No speed demon but really accurate. I'm a big Berger 140 Hyb fan, but really starting to warm up to the 150 SMK. I ran a few jammed .010 and a few jumped .006. Jumping .006 gives numbers you see here. Barrel never got hot to the touch as with H4350. Barrel will speed up, but so far very pleased! Any more reports on jacket failures?

 

[ShootDots]

Just an update! ShootDots, I was wondering if you got things ironed out with 150 SMK? I recently put new barrel on 6.5 x 284. Kreiger 8tw 26 inch 1.250 straight. Decided based upon what I read on this thread to try H1000 and I was pleasantly surprised! Ran a latter test at 100 yds and got best results at 55.0 gr H1000 with 150 SMK (Weights 149.90--149.98). After 15 shots and cooling barrel every three shots...cleaned barrel! Next 4 groups were great at .340, .215, 210, .260 at 55.0 gr. Cleaned again, moved out to 300 yd...3 five shot groups .750, ,650, .650. Velocity is only running 2850-2860. No speed demon but really accurate. I'm a big Berger 140 Hyb fan, but really starting to warm up to the 150 SMK. I ran a few jammed .010 and a few jumped .006. Jumping .006 gives numbers you see here. Barrel never got hot to the touch as with H4350. Barrel will speed up, but so far very pleased! Any more reports on jacket failures?

I got a free 8 twist barrel from Krieger a couple months ago. I ran the "Twist Rate Calculator" for the 150s. It stated that going 2930 at sea level would give me a 1.51 rating. That SHOULD be good enough to stabilize the 150s. They would NOT stabilize. So I ordered a 7.5 from Blake Machine Barrels. They are a "canted rifling" barrel which will act pretty much like a 5R. So the "blow-ups" should strop. BUT I won't have it til next week. So I won't know anything for a few weeks yet. However, the more I read, the more I believe I will be successful! Don't worry about your speed with the 150s. They are moving plenty fast! Accuracy trumps EVERYTHING!

 

[rardoin]

Ben, I have been developing a load in the 6.5 x55 BJ AI case/ 8tw 5r Bartlein 30" (with 450+rds down the tube) using ReLoder-23. The best load runs 2950's at 0.010" and slightly less off light touch. I have been able to get the 150's shooting in .75's at 300yds and took it out to 600yds to play with the tuner. Shooting 4-5 shots each setting, rapid fire and disregarding wind changes in 2-3mph at 01:30 I was able to get the barrel tuned to 0.65" vertical and about a 2" horizontal. No blow-ups with over 80 rounds fired including a few, during velocity tests, that ran up to 3020's fps. I have seen no signs of instability yet; shooting about 25' ASL......Palo Alto and my home 300yd range. I'll give a report after shooting them in a match this weekend at 600yds at P.A.. I have a 7.5tw brux waiting to go to Titan Precision but, based on my tests thus far I ordered another 8tw/5r Bartlein and I will have both chambered to compare. However, it the current barrel holds throughout 60 record shots I think I'll be shooting the 150's in the 8tw Bart at the MR Champs at Raton this fall and cancel my order on the custom 142's.

Robin

 

[Longrange57]

I got a free 8 twist barrel from Krieger a couple months ago. I ran the "Twist Rate Calculator" for the 150s. It stated that going 2930 at sea level would give me a 1.51 rating. That SHOULD be good enough to stabilize the 150s. They would NOT stabilize. So I ordered a 7.5 from Blake Machine Barrels. They are a "canted rifling" barrel which will act pretty much like a 5R. So the "blow-ups" should strop. BUT I won't have it til next week. So I won't know anything for a few weeks yet. However, the more I read, the more I believe I will be successful! Don't worry about your speed with the 150s. They are moving plenty fast! Accuracy trumps EVERYTHING!

Yes sir! I agree! Thanks for sharing what you have learned. I've seen your replies on other threads! Keep me posted on how new barrel works out. I've shot lots of 150's at lower velocities, but I always weight sort. It's a pain but pays off! High to low Berger does not have as much spread, but Sierra is usually about 2-3 times the spread on most 6 and 6.5's I've worked with. Most of the time I shoot the lower node due to accuracy, not sure how much I give up but usually score pretty well. This thread, more than others has opened my eyes to H1000 and I'm very impressed. Hopefully more barrel life! Thanks for your input!

 

[Longrange57]

Ben, I have been developing a load in the 6.5 x55 BJ AI case/ 8tw 5r Bartlein 30" (with 450+rds down the tube) using ReLoder-23. The best load runs 2950's at 0.010" and slightly less off light touch. I have been able to get the 150's shooting in .75's at 300yds and took it out to 600yds to play with the tuner. Shooting 4-5 shots each setting, rapid fire and disregarding wind changes in 2-3mph at 01:30 I was able to get the barrel tuned to 0.65" vertical and about a 2" horizontal. No blow-ups with over 80 rounds fired including a few, during velocity tests, that ran up to 3020's fps. I have seen no signs of instability yet; shooting about 25' ASL......Palo Alto and my home 300yd range. I'll give a report after shooting them in a match this weekend at 600yds at P.A.. I have a 7.5tw brux waiting to go to Titan Precision but, based on my tests thus far I ordered another 8tw/5r Bartlein and I will have both chambered to compare. However, it the current barrel holds throughout 60 record shots I think I'll be shooting the 150's in the 8tw Bart at the MR Champs at Raton this fall and cancel my order on the custom 142's.

Robin

Rardoin, are you still using RL23?

 

[ShootDots]

Yes sir! I agree! Thanks for sharing what you have learned. I've seen your replies on other threads! Keep me posted on how new barrel works out. I've shot lots of 150's at lower velocities, but I always weight sort. It's a pain but pays off! High to low Berger does not have as much spread, but Sierra is usually about 2-3 times the spread on most 6 and 6.5's I've worked with. Most of the time I shoot the lower node due to accuracy, not sure how much I give up but usually score pretty well. This thread, more than others has opened my eyes to H1000 and I'm very impressed. Hopefully more barrel life! Thanks for your input!

YEP! H1000, RL-26 and VV N165 should be at the TOP of the list for powders in the 6.5 x 284 with the 150s.. All will give plenty of velocity, burn with cooler temps and use less pressure to generate the speed desired for the 150s out of that cartridge! Personally, if either of those powders are used and not ran at the TOP of the node, a comfortable 14-1600 rounds should be obtainable..

 

[Longrange57]

Ben, I have been developing a load in the 6.5 x55 BJ AI case/ 8tw 5r Bartlein 30" (with 450+rds down the tube) using ReLoder-23. The best load runs 2950's at 0.010" and slightly less off light touch. I have been able to get the 150's shooting in .75's at 300yds and took it out to 600yds to play with the tuner. Shooting 4-5 shots each setting, rapid fire and disregarding wind changes in 2-3mph at 01:30 I was able to get the barrel tuned to 0.65" vertical and about a 2" horizontal. No blow-ups with over 80 rounds fired including a few, during velocity tests, that ran up to 3020's fps. I have seen no signs of instability yet; shooting about 25' ASL......Palo Alto and my home 300yd range. I'll give a report after shooting them in a match this weekend at 600yds at P.A.. I have a 7.5tw brux waiting to go to Titan Precision but, based on my tests thus far I ordered another 8tw/5r Bartlein and I will have both chambered to compare. However, it the current barrel holds throughout 60 record shots I think I'll be shooting the 150's in the 8tw Bart at the MR Champs at Raton this fall and cancel my order on the custom 142's.

Robin

Sorry...I see where you mentioned RL23

 

[Longrange57]

YEP! H1000, RL-26 and VV N165 should be at the TOP of the list for powders in the 6.5 x 284 with the 150s.. All will give plenty of velocity, burn with cooler temps and use less pressure to generate the speed desired for the 150s out of that cartridge! Personally, if either of those powders are used and not ran at the TOP of the node, a comfortable 14-1600 rounds should be obtainable..

I can live with that!

 

[rardoin]

I have not tested RL-26 because of rumors of temp/velocity stability less than desirable. Any experience to debunk those rumors? If you think that it is as stable as RL-23 (which has been great) I will give it a go as it should help barrel life over RL-23.

I did a brief velocity test with H-1000 but I did not have enough case capacity to get over 2870's fps.

 

[ShootDots]

Ben, I have been developing a load in the 6.5 x55 BJ AI case/ 8tw 5r Bartlein 30" (with 450+rds down the tube) using ReLoder-23. The best load runs 2950's at 0.010" and slightly less off light touch. I have been able to get the 150's shooting in .75's at 300yds and took it out to 600yds to play with the tuner. Shooting 4-5 shots each setting, rapid fire and disregarding wind changes in 2-3mph at 01:30 I was able to get the barrel tuned to 0.65" vertical and about a 2" horizontal. No blow-ups with over 80 rounds fired including a few, during velocity tests, that ran up to 3020's fps. I have seen no signs of instability yet; shooting about 25' ASL......Palo Alto and my home 300yd range. I'll give a report after shooting them in a match this weekend at 600yds at P.A.. I have a 7.5tw brux waiting to go to Titan Precision but, based on my tests thus far I ordered another 8tw/5r Bartlein and I will have both chambered to compare. However, it the current barrel holds throughout 60 record shots I think I'll be shooting the 150's in the 8tw Bart at the MR Champs at Raton this fall and cancel my order on the custom 142's.

Robin

I am very glad to see more and more shooters are having luck with the 150's! I believe them to be a real game-changer! I will be interested to see how they shoot at The Nationals in their usual winds!

 

[1shot]

I have posted previously that I've had the 150's over 3,100 fps out of a 5R Bartlien with no issues. Now that I have a little free time, I'm also going to visit H-1000 and a couple of others. In my cartridge the 6.5 GWI if I can find an accurate load in the 2,975- 2,990 fps window, with one of the cooler, lower pressure powder, I can move away from my current load of RL-16. I could never get RL-26 to maintain accuracy for 60 record shoots in my 284 Shehane, but RL-23 became my "go to" powder. Plenty of velocity and it shoots very small if I do my part.
I hope this helps,

Lloyd

 

[wboggs]

Will have some data on H1000 and smk150s out of a 6.5 prc using a Bartlein 7.5t 5r finished at 30" very soon and will post results.

 

[wboggs]

Will have some data on H1000 and smk150s out of a 6.5 prc using a Bartlein 7.5t 5r finished at 30" very soon and will post results.

Some initial break in loads. 56.5 gr h1000 and smk seated .015 off 2963, 57.5 gr 3008.
Pressures low with no case head expansion.
Will continue next week with more loads, standard and mag primers, seating, and accuracy tests.

 

[ShootDots]

Some initial break in loads. 56.5 gr h1000 and smk seated .015 off 2963, 57.5 gr 3008.
Pressures low with no case head expansion.
Will continue next week with more loads, standard and mag primers, seating, and accuracy tests.

On my barrel that blew the bullets up, 15 thousandths off the lands is where my barrel liked the 150s.. I can't wait for your further testing..

 

[Longrange57]

Some initial break in loads. 56.5 gr h1000 and smk seated .015 off 2963, 57.5 gr 3008.
Pressures low with no case head expansion. Will continue next week with more loads, standard and mag primers, seating, and accuracy tests.

wboggs...great velocities! I will test again tomorrow as well with fire formed brass. Hope to see similar results as above. Not running near the velocity but I sure have had good luck with the 150 so far! I'm sure you guys will get it figured out!

 

[wboggs]

wboggs...great velocities! I will test again tomorrow as well with fire formed brass. Hope to see similar results as above. Not running near the velocity but I sure have had good luck with the 150 so far! I'm sure you guys will get it figured out!

Just getting started. Hope some of this data will help. Also plan to run up velocities to test the smks for blow up to help clarify that issue.

 

[Longrange57]

Just getting started. Hope some of this data will help. Also plan to run up velocities to test the smks for blow up to help clarify that issue.

Somewhat of a lackluster morning! Initial brk-in was very calm and no wind. Main reason for such good groups! This morning had 8-10 mph crosswind! Once fired and new brass loaded at 54.7 H1000. New chrono'd at 2848 and once fired at 2878. ES on both about 10. Two gr (5 shot) agg at 300 yd at 2848 was 1.250 inch and 2 gr (5 shot) agg at 2878 opened up to 1.600 inches. Vertical was .75 on low velocity and 1.100 on higher velocity. They grouped fairly well with no flyers but will have to load down for fired brass and stay close to the 2850 node. With the gusting wind I guess I should not be too disappointed. This was a total of 26 shots with 6 of those being chrono'd. In between 5 sh strings I allowed barrel to cool for 12-13 minutes. No cleaning. We will find a bit calmer conditions and try again.

 

[wboggs]

Somewhat of a lackluster morning! Initial brk-in was very calm and no wind. Main reason for such good groups! This morning had 8-10 mph crosswind! Once fired and new brass loaded at 54.7 H1000. New chrono'd at 2848 and once fired at 2878. ES on both about 10. Two gr (5 shot) agg at 300 yd at 2848 was 1.250 inch and 2 gr (5 shot) agg at 2878 opened up to 1.600 inches. Vertical was .75 on low velocity and 1.100 on higher velocity. They grouped fairly well with no flyers but will have to load down for fired brass and stay close to the 2850 node. With the gusting wind I guess I should not be too disappointed. This was a total of 26 shots with 6 of those being chrono'd. In between 5 sh strings I allowed barrel to cool for 12-13 minutes. No cleaning. We will find a bit calmer conditions and try again.

If I could shoot that well I might be tempted to shoot a match but my age and eyesight won't last past the first relay and the afternoon is a crap shoot. But, we are gradually learning about the 150s. 2850 is shooting well for you and 2960 shot well during my break in. The smk might be a good option. Hopefully, will.have more data next week.
Bill

 

[Longrange57]

If I could shoot that well I might be tempted to shoot a match but my age and eyesight won't last past the first relay and the afternoon is a crap shoot. But, we are gradually learning about the 150s. 2850 is shooting well for you and 2960 shot well during my break in. The smk might be a good option. Hopefully, will.have more data next week.
Bill

I can relate to the eyesight thing! After retina detachments in both eyes and multiple surgeries and cateract removals I'm amazed that I can still see but more amazed at what these doctors can do! If it were not for the 55 Nightforce scopes I use...I would have to hang it up! Still plugging away and having fun! Hope the 150's workout for everyone! They stabilize very well in my 6.5 x 47's at 2750 but we all know at that bullet length they will like velocity! Look forward to more data. I will keep all informed with further testing with 6.5 x 284. Thanks to all for turning me on to H1000.

 

[rardoin]

Just shot some quick seating depth test groups at 300yds for a new lot of 150 SMK's prior to a match in the a.m. Winds were near 06:00 4-8mph and no mirage. The first depth shot 5 in 0.56" (about 0.005" off lands). The 0.010" off group shot 2.39"...WTF! Sure sensitive to depth that close to the lands. Fortunately we loaded all the rounds at 0.005" off figuring I could seat them deeper if the test waranted. Sure ain't touching a thing. The same load held about 0.65" of vertical at 600yds with the first lot running 2950fps. This lot is running in the upper 2920's but the bore was scrubbed down to bare metal so it may speed up a little and open up some tomorrow at 600yds....but I am really liking what I see with this bullet thus far.