6.5-284. Where do I start?

[boltfluter]

I got my rifle this week! Just waiting on ammo and powder and some proper scope rings to bring my scope down to a proper level.

Tony.

Tony,
Very nice looking rifle! How's it shooting for you? Let us know.
Paul

 

[tonyben]

I'll let you know. I just got ammo and two more mags for it today. I was supposed to have the Leupold MK4 medium rings last night from Amazon but they haven't arrived yet.

I need to buy some dies too. Never reloaded for precision bolt guns before. I've always reloaded ammo to work in multiple guns, both bolt and semi-auto. I always full-length size with small base dies but this is the only rifle I have in this caliber, so I need to figure out what dies to go with. Standard or shoulder-only? Separate bushing neck die?

Don't know!

Tony.

 

[vince_ross]

I'll let you know. I just got ammo and two more mags for it today. I was supposed to have the Leupold MK4 medium rings last night from Amazon but they haven't arrived yet.

I need to buy some dies too. Never reloaded for precision bolt guns before. I've always reloaded ammo to work in multiple guns, both bolt and semi-auto. I always full-length size with small base dies but this is the only rifle I have in this caliber, so I need to figure out what dies to go with. Standard or shoulder-only? Separate bushing neck die?

Don't know!

Tony.

I spent a little extra money on the die set for my 6.5-284 and got the Redding Premium Deluxe set....It has a FL sizer and a neck sizer, also has a bullet seating micrometer. I think the set was just North of $150, not too bad considering how good they are.

 

[tonyben]

This one, yes?

REDDING 6.5-284 NORMA TYPE-S ELITE BUSH DIE SET - Graf & Sons

INCLUDES – Type S – Bushing Full Sizing Die Type S – Bushing Neck Sizing Die Competition Seating Die Redding Reloading Equipment has once again established a new die set based on customer feedback. The past few years you have seen the introduction of many new sets like the National Match...

www.grafs.com

Tony.

 

[vince_ross]

This is the one I got...Not quite the Elite series, but it works great.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/redding-reloading-premium-series-deluxe-die-set.html

This one, yes?

REDDING 6.5-284 NORMA TYPE-S ELITE BUSH DIE SET - Graf & Sons

INCLUDES – Type S – Bushing Full Sizing Die Type S – Bushing Neck Sizing Die Competition Seating Die Redding Reloading Equipment has once again established a new die set based on customer feedback. The past few years you have seen the introduction of many new sets like the National Match...

www.grafs.com

Tony.

 

[J Fess]

The 6.5-284 is a great cartridge. I have not seen anyone mention it yet, but the SAAMI max pressure spec for the 284 was only 56,000psi and the Norma 6.5-284 is 58,000 psi. The reason was to match the bolt-thrust of the 308, but it is useful to know that the brass is designed for pressures lower than many other cartridges. To maximize powder volume, the web and base walls are often made just thick enough for good life at SAAMI max pressures. I have read about some confusion from users who push it to well over SAAMI pressures and end up with loose primer pockets after a few firings without having seen other classic pressure signs like cratered primers or hard bolt lift.
An interesting comment made on a Hornady podcast was that they pressure tested some common competition 6.5-284 loads and many were over 65,000 psi. Not surprisingly, the main complaint that I have heard about the 284 derivatives from competitors is poor brass life. You can decide for yourself the balance of longer case life vs higher velocity.
I hope you enjoy your new rifle!

 

[tonyben]

Thanks for the info! I got proper height rings for it this week and will be taking it out tomorrow (or today, I should say). Mediums were just right. If all goes well, I'll be at 600 on Tuesday.

Tony.

 

[vince_ross]

I’m anxious to see how it shoots! I’m sure it will be awesome!

 

[Walt Krafft]

If you still need a die set, here is a good one: https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/6-5-284-brass-ammo-dies.4121960/#post-38923183

 

[tonyben]

If you still need a die set, here is a good one: https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/6-5-284-brass-ammo-dies.4121960/#post-38923183

Thanks! I bought them!

Tony.

 

[koger]

I have a 30" Benchmark on mine and get 3100fps with H4831, and can lift the bolt with one finger. This barrel has always been fast, and shooting Danzac coated 142gr Sierras.

 

[Horsemen61]

Well @tonyben how does it shoot?

 

[tonyben]

Been busy, but it shoots about 1/2 to 3/4 MOA at 600 yards. I didn't get a chance to collect the target as I had other guns I was testing that day.

Tony.

 

[Sixgun]

Hello my friends! I'm obtaining a GA Precision Hospitaller in 6.5-284 in the near future and I'm also going to be re-chambering my Savage long action in 6.5-284. I'm actually going to use a nutless barrel and cut the tenon with a shoulder, so it will have a Remington 700 style barrel and do away with the barrel nut.

I don't know much about this round. Any hints on where to start with loads? I've shot this rifle before with fantastic results out to 900 yards. I cleaned a "Know your limits" target on my first try at 400 yards on the same day.

I've got about 2 pounds of IMR-4350 and about a half pound of H4350. What are other popular powders for this round? I've got about 1000 Nosler 140 grain custom comps as well.

Any suggestions on powders and bullets and any other subject would be appreciated.

Tony.

6.5x284 Hospitaller? Secondhand rifle? How's the bore?

 

[tonyben]

Yes, all correct. Bore looks good. No firecracking yet. I'd say it's got 100 rounds through it. Maybe 150.

Tony.

 

[ISS]

Thanks all. for the load suggestions Gentlemen. Glad I don't need to reinvent this wheel. Mine is a Savage Precision Target with the 30" barrel. 2950 sounds good, every last fps is not the ultimate goal, I also have both AR-10 and Savage bolt rifles in 260 Rem for that.

Living in SW Idaho, the goal is killing Rockchucks farther and farther out next spring. There's a March 5-40X sitting on the shelf behind me.

thanks again, and "God Bless us every one...".*

ISS

*Tiny Tim quote

 

[Joseph Jones ctsr]

I ran 53.4gr of H4831sc behind 142 SMK's for years with great results, the barrel would be done around 1100rds. The past couple of years I have been running 153.5gr lrht with 57.2gr of H1000, I get around 1500rds out of a barrel with this combo, my current is 2995fps with 1-2 fps SD out of a 24" 1-8 Krieger and avg in the 5"-6" range at 1000yds.

 

[vince_ross]

I just recently started working up some loads for my Savage model 12 F-Class 6.5-284 using some Nosler RDF 130gr and H4831SC.
The combination of 48.1gr of H4831SC and the Nosler 130gr RDF worked out pretty decent in my rifle. That load was running just over 2700 f/s.
I have a few other combos to try before I see what it can do out to 500 or so.