Best group size to be expected with 6.5 x 284 at 200 yards

[Bluto65]

I know there are lots of variables, this is with top of the line rifle,
Krieger 8 twist, Kelbly Panda, lapua brass, Berger VLD, VV 165 powder, CCi primers.

Any thoughts?

 

[savagedasher]

I know there are lots of variables, this is with top of the line rifle,
Krieger 8 twist, Kelbly Panda, lapua brass, Berger VLD, VV 165 powder, CCi primers.

Any thoughts?

Properly tuned with good conditions sub1/4 '' Larry

 

[lightman]

I've shot a few groups around 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 inches at 600yd. I wish I could to it on command! At 200yd, I would expect a 1 hole group around the size of 2 bullet holes. I'm using SMK's and RL-22.

 

[Bluto65]

I've shot a few groups around 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 inches at 600yd. I wish I could to it on command! At 200yd, I would expect a 1 hole group around the size of 2 bullet holes. I'm using SMK's and RL-22.

Yes, well, I have shot 3 in one hole, several times, however it is absolutely not repeatable.
I put up 8 paster/dot targets and got 3 in ones 2 out of the eight. The rest 6 are spread
out to up to 1 1/2 inches, both vertically and horizontally mixed, erratic. The bedding job on this
rifle is super good quality, pillars and devcon, smooth as a baby's ass. Very tight so I dont
think the bedding is affecting the groups. Powder is weighed with an A & D digital scale,
loads brought up to 52.8 gn with trickler and finished off with tweezers, so I do not think
powder weight is a problem. Parallax is not a problem because I check POA all the time.
BTW, cartridges, loaded, are check individually for neck tension and OAL.

Next experiment is that I swapped NF scope for another NF on my 6mm that shoots 3 in one
consistently. Just to eliminate any funny stuff happening with the scope. I was told
by champion shooters that it has happened to them with scopes acting up.

I will shoot again this coming Wed, no wind predicted, and post results.

 

[dkhunt14]

If it is working good, I would expect 1/4" to 1/2" groups. Matt

 

[LHSmith]

Yes, well, I have shot 3 in one hole, several times, however it is absolutely not repeatable.

I will shoot again this coming Wed, no wind predicted, and post results.

There-in lies the answer. To shoot "best group size to be expected" you need to eliminate as many variables as possible......can't do that without flags because air movement is most always constant despite the fact conditions "look" benign, although an experienced mirage reader with the proper optics won't fare too bad- sometimes.If you are not getting shots downrange quickly it could also be slow moving mirage.

 

[Mudpro]

You could always try a different powder/ primer combo. Should be 1/2" or better.

 

[Frankinthelaurels]

As a range maser at a groundhog matches 200-300-500 yards for 10 years I got to see tons of targets shot by 6.5/284's. To say the word FINIKY would be an understatement. Often no one could ever make them shoot well at 200 yards, lots of times the targets would be the same at each distance. I've talked to world record holders from Williamsport 1000 and they really had no explanation other than the bullets hadn't settled down yet. You very seldom see them in winners circles today because the BR's & PPC's kill em up close... Most popular powder was often H-4350.

 

[dkhunt14]

I built 3 of them and will never build another one. It is like Frank says, they are just so finicky. One day you can't beat them and the next you want to throw it away. They are just as finicky at 1000 also and I believe that is why they disappeared on the firing line. I don't know if the nodes are that small or if changes in temperature and humidity cause it. When the 6 Dasher and 300 WSM showed up on the line the 6.5-284 disappeared. Matt

 

[Bluto65]

I built 3 of them and will never build another one. It is like Frank says, they are just so finicky. One day you can't beat them and the next you want to throw it away. They are just as finicky at 1000 also and I believe that is why they disappeared on the firing line. I don't know if the nodes are that small or if changes in temperature and humidity cause it. When the 6 Dasher and 300 WSM showed up on the line the 6.5-284 disappeared. Matt

OK OK OK, I went to the range this morning, 40 deg, no wind, at 200 yds on bench.
I think it was a success, got 8 dot/pasters target and shot 3 in each. Largest group was
one quarter MOA, two were three in one hole, others three shots touching.
This should be ok for 600 yds I would believe. Still think bugholes are better!

In consensus this particular rifle was a pain in the ass to get it shooting correctly.
Once I fixed the bedding and changed scope it works, Load development was iffy
because of the crappy groups. Well I suppose this is part of the fun of shooting
high power stuff. My BRX was a breeze, shoots like a laser ALL the time, bugholes.

 

[264WM70]

I love hunting with my 264 win mag. Only two white tails ever needed more than one pill. I have been thinking about getting into long range competitions and was quickly drawn to the 6.5/284. At first glance I though what's not to love. The more I read the forums, the more I see issues with tuning them. Would you build another one or go a different direction if you had to do it all over again?

 

[dragman]

should be consistently 1/2" group and close too 1/4" in good conditions.

 

[dkhunt14]

I love hunting with my 264 win mag. Only two white tails ever needed more than one pill. I have been thinking about getting into long range competitions and was quickly drawn to the 6.5/284. At first glance I though what's not to love. The more I read the forums, the more I see issues with tuning them. Would you build another one or go a different direction if you had to do it all over again?

I would do a Dasher or WSM. If only 600 yards, definately a 6 Dasher. Matt

 

[Bluto65]

I love hunting with my 264 win mag. Only two white tails ever needed more than one pill. I have been thinking about getting into long range competitions and was quickly drawn to the 6.5/284. At first glance I though what's not to love. The more I read the forums, the more I see issues with tuning them. Would you build another one or go a different direction if you had to do it all over again?

Well all rifles need a bit of tuning. However if you do get a competition gun
you have to make sure you get a fitted stock, good action [Barnard, Kelbly Panda, or Bat etc],
good reputable heavy barrel with correct twist, a reputable scope with a 20 MOA picatinny rail
mountewd on the action. My BRX is excellent at 600yds equal to the dasher [easier fire forming
and uses regular 6mmbr dies except for the full size die which is custom but available from AR],
if you are a good wind reader you can shoot 200s all day.

One advantage of the 6.5 x 284 is that at 600 yds you aim at the X and the wind does not move it
out of the 10 ring, well unless the winds are really strong.

 

[dkhunt14]

Bluto65, I didn't want to sound or come across as I was knocking your gun. I was telling the facts of my 1000 yard BR guns. One day the 6.5x284 would shoot great. The next day or week with all the same components it would shoot lousy. Like I said I had a couple of them. They also were extremely hard to get to shoot small compared to the 6mm Dasher and 300 WSM. I just know besides the barrels not lasting, I would never build another one. They are just too finicky for me. I just wanted to respond this info in case somebody else is thinking of building one. To shoot 1000 yard Benchrest you need really good accuracy and it has to be consistent from week to week or you can't win. I wish you luck with your shooting. Matt

 

[Bluto65]

Bluto65, I didn't want to sound or come across as I was knocking your gun. I was telling the facts of my 1000 yard BR guns. One day the 6.5x284 would shoot great. The next day or week with all the same components it would shoot lousy. Like I said I had a couple of them. They also were extremely hard to get to shoot small compared to the 6mm Dasher and 300 WSM. I just know besides the barrels not lasting, I would never build another one. They are just too finicky for me. I just wanted to respond this info in case somebody else is thinking of building one. To shoot 1000 yard Benchrest you need really good accuracy and it has to be consistent from week to week or you can't win. I wish you luck with your shooting. Matt

I agree with you 100%, I was going to run over my 6.5 with my truck, several times, and
throw it away. Load development took over 500 shots, then another 240-250 to tune it up.
I got burned with it once when I shot 200-199-199 in a match, so I then shot in a tournament
and got so pissed off I did not shoot the second day. Stupid gun shot a couple of 8s and 7s,
a sprinkle of 9s, lots of 10s and very few Xs. Really erratic SOB!

I will relent though and try an up coming 600yd 3 Day shoot, use the 6.5, and see what happens.

After that I will stick to my 6mmBRX lazer. I can load it with coffee and it will shoot straight,
just kidding.

 

[jr600yd]

I agree with you 100%, I was going to run over my 6.5 with my truck, several times, and
throw it away. Load development took over 500 shots, then another 240-250 to tune it up.
I got burned with it once when I shot 200-199-199 in a match, so I then shot in a tournament
and got so pissed off I did not shoot the second day. Stupid gun shot a couple of 8s and 7s,
a sprinkle of 9s, lots of 10s and very few Xs. Really erratic SOB!

I will relent though and try an up coming 600yd 3 Day shoot, use the 6.5, and see what happens.

After that I will stick to my 6mmBRX lazer. I can load it with coffee and it will shoot straight,
just kidding.

Man that know what your talking about! Although I don't shoot a 6.5/284 I had the same experience with a 6.5/06 (it's brother) shoot great one day shoot like chit the next. Put it back in the safe. A year later take it out and play. Same thing. Back to the safe. Another year goes buy and repeat. And on and on it goes.