I just picked up some of Hammer's 125gr HHTs for my 6.5-284; it's a 1-8 twist, 26 inch barrel. Most of the reloading data I've found doesn't correlate to the 125s. For powder I've got plenty of H4350 and I also have I4350, RL17, N160 and a small amount of H4831SC. Working with H4350 would be optimal as I've got close to 10 pounds of it. If anyone could give me some load data assistance for one of these powders I'd appreciate it. Even Hammer's Load Data doesn't show anything for the new bullet and the data they have for the 124HH bullet doesn't use any of the powders I have.
6.5-284 Load Data
- Thread starter onelastshot
- Start date
I have over the years used H4831, IMR 4831, and a few shots with H1000. I could not get enough H1000 in the case to get normal speed. Either of the 4831s shot well, I was shooting 140 Amaxs and the IMR was a little tighter. 6.5-284s have a bad rap for burning barrels, N160 or N165 are both very low burn temp but still produce enough speed to be worth the effort, and should extend the barrel life. Another that has a low burn temp is Hybrid 100v. Ive never found any locally, and haven't been curious enough to pay for Haz-Mat but Hybrid 100V would be my next experiment.
This chart is exactly what I was looking for, Thanks!
Spent more time then I should have researching
Based on the data you provided as well as information from a couple other forums I found, the two most discussed powders are the Vihtavuori 560 and Reloader 17. Both are discussed as having good velocities as well as excellent accuracy. I've got the RL17 and just ordered the 560. I'll do some ladder tests with both and see where the two compare.
50 grains of N160 with a 142mk works well for me. I also use N165. Bullets are moly coated.
I shoot a different bullet (143gr Norma Bondstrike exactly 53gr of N165 powder) but can tell you N165 is my go to powder and mine will shoot ONE HOLE at 100 yards. It is so accurate and that bullet so deadly it is almost boring to hunt deer with. I have built 4 rifles now in 6.5-284 and they all love the N165 powder.
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My new RCBS ChargeMaster Supreme came in this morning; made up cartridges for my 6.5-284 Norma for ladder tests using H4831sc, H4350 and N160. Today was the perfect rainy day to reload. The Chargemaster Supreme worked well, better than the old Chargemaster 1500, consistent and accurate; didn't need the trickler. Won't be able to shoot until the 27th of this month though. Considered using RL17 as well but decided not to. In the past, Rl17, at higher velocities, gave me accuracy but a few summers ago, on a hot day, the pressure really spiked giving me a tight bolt; haven't used it since. Testing three different powders is plenty. Lastly, I'm as I mentioned in my origonal post, using the Hammer HHTs. Hammer, Inc., doesn't have a machine to insert the tips so they send you a little brass component that's drilled so you can insert the tip and push it into the bullet. I thought the tips would snap in, but I quickly found out that they need a little force to get them to sit properly. I couldn't do it just using my hands; I ended up using as small hammer to tap them in place. Just make certain to get the tips in before you insert the bullet in the brass. You don't want to be tapping the tip in place in a fully loaded cartridge with a live primer. Get the tips in before you reload!
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How did your testing go?
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