6.5-284 With R-26

[CaptnC]

Any one have any luck with this combo?

I have a new 6.5-284 and plenty of R-26 just looking to see if anyone has had any luck with it?!?!?!?

 

[JBT47]

I believe JLT on this forum has some information that you seek.

 

[captn t]

Any one have any luck with this combo?

I have a new 6.5-284 and plenty of R-26 just looking to see if anyone has had any luck with it?!?!?!?

I've had good groups with 54-55.5 grs R26 /130 VLD. This also shoot good using 129 Horn F Base cheep and kill fast
Captn T

 

[JLT]

captn t has steered you in the right direction. I would start load development around 51.5 gr of RL-26 behind a 130 or a 140 and expect to find joy around 54 - 55 gr or so with the 140s, perhaps a bit more with the 130s. I'm right at 54.0 gr of RL-26 behind the 140 Hybrid - this combination gives me the accuracy and velocity I was looking for at what appears to be modest pressures. Get ready for some surprising velocity numbers and I hope your barrel produces acceptable accuracy with this powder.

 

[CaptnC]

Thank you JLT...I actually have a ladder loaded right now that needs to got top the range that ends just short of 55gr with some 140's. I think I will load one more step to get me closer to 55gr.

Thank you again sir!

 

[Clucknmoan]

Thank you JLT...I actually have a ladder loaded right now that needs to got top the range that ends just short of 55gr with some 140's. I think I will load one more step to get me closer to 55gr.

Thank you again sir!

FWIW I am running 55.5 grains with 140 VLD's at the moment, I actually didn't have a heavy bolt lift or ejector marks till about a grain over that. I'm sure my brass life won't be great, but this is a hunting rifle for me. Usual warnings apply to work up safely.

 

[JLT]

Thank you JLT...I actually have a ladder loaded right now that needs to got top the range that ends just short of 55gr with some 140's. I think I will load one more step to get me closer to 55gr.

Thank you again sir!

Most welcome, CaptnC. I'd like to hear of your results and I hope you find the level of accuracy you're after. I don't think velocity will be a problem with this powder.

Be aware that this powder is somewhat sensitive to ambient temperature. If it gets hot where you live/shoot, you may have to adjust your load to maintain your velocity when it gets really warm. The behavior is predictable - I've used RL-26 in upstate NY (colder than a well digger's a$$ in the winter) and in east TX (triple digits in the summer, not uncommon) without much fuss and bother.

 

[Clucknmoan]

^^^ Very true. The 55.5 grains I listed above is a load for Idaho in the winter. I wouldn't just go and shoot it in the middle of summer.

 

[CaptnC]

Well I shot some R-26 today...I had a Dr appointment this morning, the wife had one after that so we hung out all morning...had lunch, then dropped her off at work. My valentine's duties were done!

So off to the range.

53gr was a sweet spot and 54.5 but bolt was a little stiff so I didn't go any higher. Case head was showing the ejector hole...so I'm going to work on the 53 to 53.8 grain node.

My barrel is only 24", shooting 140gr Nosler BT's set .020 off...but the 54.5 was hitting 3,000 FPS

 

[josh shrum]

I use both RL26 and RL23 in my 6.5-284's.

In that 24" barrel you may find that the RL23 will give you a slight edge over the RL26.

For example, in my 24" barrel I get 3050 fps from 53.0 gr of RL23

 

[JLT]

I use both RL26 and RL23 in my 6.5-284's.

In that 24" barrel you may find that the RL23 will give you a slight edge over the RL26.

For example, in my 24" barrel I get 3050 fps from 53.0 gr of RL23

And RL-23 couldn't care less what the temperature is . . .

 

[CaptnC]

If R-23 is less temp sensitive I should look at it. We can have triple digits here in Houston and our deer lease in central Texas can get get into the teens during hunting season.

I just received my Bergers 135 Classic Hunter and 140 VLD so I need to get some of them up and running later. They are what I plan to hunt with...

I have a hand full of 6.5's, but I think for myself the 6.5-284 and the 264wm will be my choice...the wife hunts with a 6.5-06...the 6.5 CM and 6.5X55 will be steel thumpers!

Thanks again for the help guys...any one with any pet loads, feel free to jump in!

 

[josh shrum]

53.0 gr of RL 23
Wolf LR Primers
Berger 140 VLD

 

[Tucker65]

I have a Cooper Model 52 in 6.5-284 with a 26" barrel and shoot 140gr. Berger Hunting VLD's
This is 3 shots at 100 yards with the 55gr. of RL-26.

 

[B23]

Tucker65, wow, VERY nice shooting!

And for what it's worth, when you plug you load, bullet, and OAL into QL, it shows within 8 fps of what you got. It's crazy how accurate QL is to real life results.

 

[Catfixer]

Good shooting, but I had hoped the 6.5X284 would send a 140 grain closer to 3100 fps. I have a 6.5-06 that will send a 140 eld 3125 fps out of a 28 inch barrel. I was wanting to try the 6.5X284 so I could use the Lapua brass.
Anyone have any other speeds to post?

 

[brianc74]

Anyone try 135 JLK bullets in the 6.5-284 and RL26 or RL23 yet?
Do the JLK bullets like jump?

Brian

 

[Santee116]

My loads for my 29" 6.5-284. Great accuracy on both. (It is an awesome powder in my .280 Ackley too)

Lapua brass
CCI BR2

140 ELDm
54.8 grains of RL-26
3135 fps

127 LRX
54.5 grains of RL-26
3190 fps

 

[1shot]

Anyone try 135 JLK bullets in the 6.5-284 and RL26 or RL23 yet?
Do the JLK bullets like jump?

Brian

All the JLK's I shoot seem to like a .010-.015 jam.
I hope this helps.

Lloyd

 

[brianc74]

Shot Hornady 143 ELD x bullets today in front of 54.0 of RL26. MV was 2820fps with a 25” tube and a 1-7.5 twist.
At 100 yards shot 2 groups of 5. Worst of the two was a 0.426” and best was a 0.280”. ES was 18

54.0 was low pressure.

Brian