6.5x284 NORMA Updates anyone

[FNfan1]

The last thread I found was over a year old. I had GAP build one with a 25" Bartlin barrel and a 1 in 8 twist on an FN SPR floor plate action bedded in an M40 McMillan stock. It has a hunting taper .020 larger than a winchester sporter contour. I had this one built to hunt with but I am just now getting out the reloading tools to play with it.

Has anyone used any new bullets / loads for hunting?
I have Lapua Brass, Berger 130gr VLD's Nosler 120gr BT and Lapua 139gr Scenar. I will be using winchester primers and IMR4831 and H4831SC.

I am going to start loading this week and was just wondering if there was any data for this.
Thanks.

 

[dennisinaz]

There are a number of threads discussing the 6.5-284 that are posted in weekly if you search better. With the components you have listed, you have kind of painted yourself into a corner I think.

I have built three this year and have had to use some unorthodox components to get them to really perform.

Good luck

 

[ShootDots]

One of the concepts misunderstood by many reloaders is whether or not a case is efficient or inefficient, meaning it is of an "overbore" capacity. Almost ANY centerfire case can be made into an overbore proposition. Overbore is where you have reached the point where you have to burn significantly more powder to obtain small increases in velocity. Example: a 7-08 Rem shooting a 140gr bullet can, without excessive pressure, reach 3000f.p.s. in a 26" barrel rifle. I have done it w/o problems using H4350. Take the SAME bullet and drive it to 3200f.p.s. out of a 26" barrel 7mm Mag and you will need OVER 20grs. MORE powder to get 200f.p.s. That 20grs represents a 40pct. increase in powder to obtain 7pct more velocity. A 6.5 x 284 is representative of a cartridge being somewhat overbore. That's why you NEED slow burning powders to get optimal use out of the case. Certain powders were designed for lighter bullets, some for heavier bullets where they work BETTER in those categories. There are, of course, many powders that have a WIDE range of use.. If you are using light bullets in the 6.5 x 284 (i.e. 123's to 130's) H4831 and like powders will work exceptionally well. However, if you are going to use heavy for caliber bullets, a slower powder like N560 or RL 22 or even IMR 7828 will give you better performance. With these SLOW powders, the longer the barrel, the higher the velocity. A "hunting length" barrel, say 26" will still give very excellent results with any of the slow powders. So it is easier to choose a powder by basing it on the bullets you will be using.

 

[dennisinaz]

123 and 130s are NOT light bullets in a 6.5-284. Light bullets will be 108s and lighter. I have had great luck with the 108s in both the 6.5-284 and the 260 Rem (both standard and improved). I feel the 120s and 123s are mediums and the 130-142s are heavy. There are custom bullet that are heavier but fairly uncommon in practical use.

If you check the match results and articles on this cartridge, you will see that nobody uses N560, R22 or 7828. For some reason, this cartridge defies common logic. I have tried many powders. When i shot 1000 yd BR with it, I mostly used N160. Now that I hunt with it, I use R17, Mag Pro and Magnum (I use 130 grain bullets now).

I feel the added velocity is well worth the small concessions I had to make in accuracy, but realizing that this would surely cost me points in a match.

 

[FNfan1]

Wow this is great. Thanks for the info.

 

[Dirtfarmer]

I don't think the 6.5-284 does best with real slow powder. Compared to the big mags, the case isn't large for bulky powder. Mine shoots best with Vv 165 and 140 gr. bullets. My accuracy load is at 2,950 fps. I can crank it up to 3,000 fps with RL-17 with pretty good accuracy. At 3,100 fps, accuracy falls off and pressure signs appear. I've stuck with the 140 gr. bullets because this gun, an 8.5 twist Krieger barrelled pre-64, blueprinted with Borden's Bumps, loves them better than anything else.

DF