6.5x284 Load Question

[sawacs]

I am trying to load up some 120 grain Lapua bullets using RL19 for my 6.5x284.

Here is my question..

Nosler's site lists the following load data with RL19 and 120 grainers:

Starting load: 50.5
Max load: 54.5

Hornady's books lists the following for RL19 and 120 grainers

Starting load: 42.3
Max load: 48.1

Which one is correct? That is a huge range for a powder charge

Thanks

 

[Patch700]

You fail to mention the other "details" in their data... such as whose brass their using , loaded OAL , primer , and last but not least if they are both calling it 6.5x284 WIN or 6.5x284 norma.

If one is using WW brass with a shorter OAL as well calling it a Winchester as opposed to norma then yes you can see why there are huge discrepancies and its because of a major difference in case capacity.

Read all the info and compare to what YOU have and go from there.


Good luck .

 

[sawacs]

You fail to mention the other "details" in their data... such as whose brass their using , loaded OAL , primer , and last but not least if they are both calling it 6.5x284 WIN or 6.5x284 norma.

If one is using WW brass with a shorter OAL as well calling it a Winchester as opposed to norma then yes you can see why there are huge discrepancies and its because of a major difference in case capacity.

Read all the info and compare to what YOU have and go from there.


Good luck .

That is a good point and thank you.

The Nosler data is using the Norma case and Hornady is using the Winchester case. It looks as though the problem is solved and was caused by me overlooking the different cases referenced in the data..doh! I was not about to start dumping powder into the cases until I had some sort confirmation on the data.

I am running a 24" 1/8 twist CBI 6.5x284 Normal barrel that is not throated for the 140 grain bullets which leaves me using the 120 grain range until the barrel burns for a while. My brass is Lapua 6.5x284 Norma with a BR2 primer..

Much appreciated!

 

[Patch700]

Now you're getting somewhere, I will leave you with some reading material provided by Nosler.

"Since the 6.5-284 has a long history as a “wildcat” cartridge, variations in chamber dimensions are likely. The other most common wildcat variation of this cartridge is the 6.5mm-284 Winchester. The Winchester chambers are frequently short-throated, and WILL yield significantly higher pressures when compared with the 6.5mm-284 Norma. We suggest starting with the mildest load listed, and working up in half-grain increments. Always watch for visible signs of pressure as you increase your charge weight. NEVER exceed the maximum loads listed in load data"

In your case you said it is a Norma chambering so that is a start.. Keep in mind Noslers load data for those bullets was tested with a 9 twist.

I would conduct a rough comparison to be sure that noslers OAL numbers are not so long as to be hard jammed when tried in your rifle... If they were a safe distance away from the lands when going by their OAL then myself personally I would start with the nosler data.

Good luck.

 

[sawacs]

Excellent information and thank you.

One thing I made sure to do was measure the chamber based on the ogive of the 120 Scenar L to make sure I found where the bullet contacted the lands. I also saved that bullet used to measure the chamber so I can follow the throat wear.

That measurement was 3.489" so I loaded the 120's at 3.479" (.010 jump) with 50.5 grains of RL19 via Nosler's data.

Nosler has their OAL listed as 2.980" with the 120 grain Spitzer Ballistic Tip. My case OAL with the 120 Lapua measures 3.014" which places my load at .010 off the lands. Do you think I would still be safe with the 50.5 grain charge of RL19? I would imagine the ogive of the Nosler Spitzer would be a little different than the 120 Scenar but I am not sure.

Lastly, the portion of the 120 where the boat tail taper begins is sitting 1/16" above the neck/shoulder junction.

Btw, there are a couple of things that are making me nervous about the 6.5x284.. First, I built and head spaced the rifle myself and have never owned a 6.5x284. When I end up test firing this puppy, I am considering attaching a string to the trigger and hiding under the bench for the first shot..LOL

Thank you for the help..

Cheers!