Anyone shoot the 127 lrx barnes in the 6.5-284?

[Biggdawg]

Looking for some input on how the 127 lrx barnes performs in the 6.5-284.

maybe some load data to start with. or velocities it likes along with seating depths -- barnes says to start at .050 off is it a good place or is there another that works?

I am going on an african safari and would like to take my new 6.5-284 norma savage 111. I want to use an all copper bullet for the penetration and performance on the tougher animals.

any help would be appreciated.

 

[Larryh128]

I haven't used the 6.5 LRX YET, but I'm currently shooting the 175gr LRX in my 300 WSM. I switched from 168 Bergers to the LRX because of unrelialble bullet performance. Absolutely no difference in accuracy. Point of impact if so close to the same at 300 yds that I can't tell the difference. I've shot a lot of Barnes and I think they will be your best bullet choice. I intend to try the 127gr 6.5 as soon as I get my hands on some. I can't imagine that they won't be accurate, I think that Barnes has a winner that is going to give Berger some serious competition on the long range shots. VLD design. Average 300 yd group is 1"-1.25". Close enough for me.

 

[Biggdawg]

I am doing testing with the 140 berger hunting and have it mostly dialed in. from what i have learned from other africa hunters is the berger isn't the best choice. you want a bullet that retains weight so you get pass through on the tougher game.

i to am going to take a 300 wm and use the 175 lrx -- working up loads now with rl22 should be in the 3050-3100 fps range with 3 shot groups at 100 with all bullets touching.

thanks for the input.

graf's has some in stock http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/23830

 

[Larryh128]

PM sent

 

[hogpatrol]

I have a Brux 1-8 barreled 6.5-.284 & the Bergers are the most accurate out to 500 meters. Tried the Barnes LRH & they had more drop and more drift. The Savage may shoot different. What animals are you hunting?

 

[Biggdawg]

I am going for Kudu, gemsbok, impala, springbok, hartman's zebra and warthog. may be baboon and a few others.

 

[jonbearman]

My friend just got through testing the 127's in a .260 rem and they shot terrible due to the fact you have to have a 1in8 twist to stabilize them,His is a 1 in 9 1/4 remmy barrel ,it didnt do well at all.

 

[hogpatrol]

check out Africahunting.com. a wealth of info on bullet choices.

 

[Biggdawg]

I am a member of africahunting.com, there is a wealth of knowledge there for sure.

i was really looking for some load info from someone using the bullet. I have sent an email to barnes but haven't heard back from them yet.

looking for seating depth and velocity numbers that seem to work. but there is no good substitute for good old testing from my own weapon. just trying to save some $$ because they are a little spendy.

thanks for all the info so far.

 

[effendude]

I just returned from South Africa a couple weeks ago. I brought two rifles, a Cooper 6.5-284 and a Remington .375H&H. My 6.5-284 shoots the Berger 140 gr. VLD's real well but I was concerned about penetration on some of the animals. I also loaded some 140 gr. Nosler Partitions for the rifle, they shot within .5 MOA of the Bergers out to 200 yards. I have not tried the new Barnes yet.

Several animals were shot with the 6.5-284 and it performed well. My wife shot (2) impalas, one with the VLD at about 60 yards, the ram hunched up, took 2 steps and tipped. No exit, but shrapnel could be felt on the off side. The second impala was shot at 160 yards with the Partition through the heart, the ram ran for 50 yards and piled up, typical of a heart shot, small exit hole. (We would have used the VLD but we were hunting Zebra so the Partition was in the rifle when the impala appeared) I shot a waterbuck at 270 yards with the Partition through the heart. The bulet exited the off side and broke the off side shoulder. A waterbuck is smaller than an elk but much bigger than a deer. I shot (2) baboons with the Partition also at about 200 yards, no issues at all.

I personally would have no issue using the 6.5-284 on any of the game you listed given proper shot placement. Kudu are big animals and can soak up some punishment. Just remember, nearly all hunting operations in Africa consider wounded game as a successful hunt, meaning you pay the trophy fee whether the animal is recovered or not. Given this rule, the PH told us to not take any shot we didn't feel comfortable with. Also contact your PH, some of them have strong choices and opinions on what you should use for rifles and bullets.

Have a great trip!
Scott

 

[Biggdawg]

Thanks for the input Scott.


I shot the 127's this weekend in my 6.5-06 -- been having accuracy issues with this rifle so i bought the 6.5-284

the gun shot much better this weekend - smith did some adjustments -- i got 3225 out of them with a max charge but not a safe load. the node is around 3100-3150 - 1" 3 shot group and i haven't played with seating depth yet. I think if i can get 3000-3100 with the 6.5-284 i will be happy. it is shooting the bergers very well i just don't want to use them.

I have some nosler accubonds i was going to try also, i want the most accurate/ effective hunting bullet. i will only take one load for each rifle -- don't want to get all caught up with which bullet i have loaded.

I plan on using my 300wm on the kudu no question that is the one i really want so i don't want to take chances.

 

[effendude]

Dawg,
One other note, I dropped my top charges by a grain in both the .375 and the 6.5-284 to be safe. I live in MN and do most of my hunting in northern states so I am usually running near the top as far as accurate charges go. In South Africa, temps ranged from 50* at dawn to highs of 108* two days of the trip. Find a middle charge with no pressure signs that is accurate and don't look back. A stuck case or a jammed ejector are not fun, whether you need a follow-up shot or not, especially on an expensive trip.
Scott

 

[Santee116]

I use the 127 LRX exclusively in my 6.5-284 for hunting. They are bad to the bone, literally. For shots under 400-500 yards, I wouldn't use anything else.

I wouldn't use them at a range where the MV dropped below 2000 fps, as they need velocity to open up. If I wanted to shoot something way out there, I have a great load with the Berger 140.

My rifle:

Stiller LA
Rock Creek 1-8", 29"

Load:

Lapua Brass
CCI BR2
50 grains H4350
.030" off the lands
3140 fps

** Be careful as this is a near max load in my rifle.

 

[Biggdawg]

thanks for the data, and yes i always start low and work up. that is the velocity i am looking for. i will be a little less because i have a 24"

I use the 127 LRX exclusively in my 6.5-284 for hunting. They are bad to the bone, literally. For shots under 400-500 yards, I wouldn't use anything else.

I wouldn't use them at a range where the MV dropped below 2000 fps, as they need velocity to open up. If I wanted to shoot something way out there, I have a great load with the Berger 140.

My rifle:

Stiller LA
Rock Creek 1-8", 29"

Load:

Lapua Brass
CCI BR2
50 grains H4350
.030" off the lands
3140 fps

** Be careful as this is a near max load in my rifle.