6.5 x 284 - 4831SC

[MDLUCKY]

Hello All:

I just finished loading a complete ladder test based on this data:

http://www.bergerbullets.com/pdf/6.5-284-Norma.pdf

I started about 2g below the published max.

Do these numbers from Berger seem a little.. High? 53.7max published?

Thanks in advance!

 

[johnfred1965]

Hello All:

I just finished loading a complete ladder test based on this data:

http://www.bergerbullets.com/pdf/6.5-284-Norma.pdf

I started about 2g below the published max.

Do these numbers from Berger seem a little.. High? 53.7max published?

Thanks in advance!

I would say it depends on the rifle. I have a Cooper M22 and I started getting a sticky bolt at 49.8 grains of the short cut. That was in 90 degree weather, but I still won't go higher even in cool weather. A custom may take the pressure better, and again, every rifle is different. Remember the mantra "start low and work up, watching for pressure signs"

 

[ShootDots]

It was my experience that anything above 51.3grs of H4831SC with a 140 Hybrid would loosen primer pockets after just a few reloads. If I ran 53.7grs, with a 140gr bullet, I would have only got the one firing and primer pockets would have been too loose to use. I never went past 51.7 of H4831SC and still only got 3 loadings..

 

[MDLUCKY]

Appreciate the info. Basically what I suspected from just using google. Seems way too hot.

I'm going to go load 5-6 going down from where I started and start there. Will probably never get to the upper end and just end up pulling them.

Thanks guys!

 

[dedogs]

Seems way too hot.

Berger 1st Edition shows start @48.5, max @51 for 92% fill. I would contact Berger and ask where that info you posted came from. Doesn't seem right at all, based on my experience. dedogs

 

[RonAKA]

Do these numbers from Berger seem a little.. High? 53.7max published?

I agree. Seems a little hot. Hodgdon recommends 49.5 max, while Nosler says 49. If you need more velocity I think H1000 and N165 are worth a try.

 

[Hengehold]

Hello All:

I just finished loading a complete ladder test based on this data:

http://www.bergerbullets.com/pdf/6.5-284-Norma.pdf

I started about 2g below the published max.

Do these numbers from Berger seem a little.. High? 53.7max published?

Thanks in advance!

I am running the same components 140 hybrid with 51gr of 4831 SC and I am getting 2950 FPS in a 31" barrel. chamber was cut with enough free bore to accommodate seating 140 GR bullets in front of the donut. to accommodate seating 140 GR bullets in front of the donut .

Yes, 53+gr sounds a bit hot to me.
-T

 

[MDLUCKY]

Hi all,

I reached out to Berger for clarification. Here was the response:

Mike,

Other load manuals (Hornady) base their loads on a COAL of 2.800 IN ( 2.880 IN for the 140gr Hornady A-MAX in the Hornady manual). Our loads are based on a COAL OF 3.228 IN . So even though our MAX LOAD for H4831 SC is more than the 45.9gr MAX LOAD in the Hornady manual. More cartridge case capacity has been exposed allowing a bigger powder charge before pressure signs will occur .

http://www.bergerbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/COAL.pdf . The other thing is that Hornady uses H-4831 and not the H-4831 SC so there is a difference in load density also. In any case, our load information is very conservative . I follow our seating depth testing information :

http://www.bergerbullets.com/getting-the-best-precision-and-accuracy-from-vld-bullets-in-your-rifle/ Or Hybrid bullet seating depth testing information: http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com...how-to-load-hybrid-bullets-for-best-accuracy/ . Using the lowest powder charge listed for the bullet/powder/cartridge combination I am testing to find my bullet seating depth accuracy node first. Then work the load back up slowly checking for pressure signs and accuracy until my velocity accuracy node is found. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at any time. Thanks for using our bullets Mike!

My COAL is just under their 3.228. I'm still going to load a few rounds down from where I'm at and start there, but I'm more comfortable with their data based on this explanation.

Just a FYI for anyone stumbling across the thread.

 

[dedogs]

My COAL is just under their 3.228

Do you know for sure that your chamber will accomodate that length without touching the lands? What is the free-bore in your chamber? dedogs

 

[MDLUCKY]

Do you know for sure that your chamber will accomodate that length without touching the lands? What is the free-bore in your chamber? dedogs

Yes.

I'm not big on measuring to the meplat instead of ogive, but this was Bergers info so I did not want to confuse the issue by bringing up my data versus theirs.

I have a minimal jump as this rifle will also be used as a hunting rifle. No jam.

 

[dedogs]

No jam

 

[RonAKA]

Other load manuals (Hornady) base their loads on a COAL of 2.800 IN ( 2.880 IN for the 140gr Hornady A-MAX in the Hornady manual). Our loads are based on a COAL OF 3.228 IN . So even though our MAX LOAD for H4831 SC is more than the 45.9gr MAX LOAD in the Hornady manual. More cartridge case capacity has been exposed allowing a bigger powder charge before pressure signs will occur .

That is good to know. I believe Berger base their load recommendations on QuickLoad, so seating long would increase case capacity.

 

[Jackmonkey]

I have a custom 6.5-284 that was chambered for the Berger 140 VLD. I have gone up as high as 54grs of H4831SC before seeing pressure signs. My load is 53grs which gives me 2950fps and 1/4MOA out of a 26" barrel.

Best thing to do is produce a load that works in your rifle. if You have a SAAMI chamber, you will never be able to safely shoot 53grs.