So I have been using Erik Cortina’s method of developing an accurate load at 100 yards. Problem is I’ll go out and find what looks like a node in powder charge and do a seating depth test and find the sweet spot with 3 shot groups in the .2’s. Then I’ll load up 10 rounds and go out the next day and it goes out the window. One group may be in the .2’s or .3’s and the next will be around an inch. I’ve tried H4831SC and H 4350 and get the same results. I’ve been using 142gr SMK bullets. Rifle is a 700 Rem action, K&P 28” Barrel in a curly maple BR stock with jewell trigger and Sightron 8x32x56. Idk what to do next. Should I try a different powder like H1000 or 7828SC or try a different bullet. I’ve stuck with the Sierras because I have them on hand and don’t have any Berger’s or Scenars to try and I’ve just lost my job and can’t afford to buy anything else right now. This is the one rifle I own that I want to really be accurate and It has me so aggravated I’m about sell every gun I own and quit. Not really but you get the point of how frustrated I am. Lol. What should I do next. I can’t stand to sit it in the safe and wait till I’m in a better financial state. It’s driving me crazy.
Frustration with 6.5x284
- Thread starter JASON50CAL
- Start date
Load development should not be frustrating, it's a learning experience nothing more or less.
I'm not familiar with 6.5 x284 however I am familiar with Sierras and Sightron 8x32x56
Assuming your actions torqued Sierras are relatively easy to tune therefore I would look at powders and primer combinations.
I have best results with ladder tests at 200 and 300 yards with Sierras on the lands then test seating.
I keep all my targets good or bad and study the results sometimes for several days.
YMMV
SPJ
I'm not familiar with 6.5 x284 however I am familiar with Sierras and Sightron 8x32x56
Assuming your actions torqued Sierras are relatively easy to tune therefore I would look at powders and primer combinations.
I have best results with ladder tests at 200 and 300 yards with Sierras on the lands then test seating.
I keep all my targets good or bad and study the results sometimes for several days.
YMMV
SPJ
Barrel should be clean. I clean after each shooting session with patch out and a brush till the patches are clean. This barrel cleans very easily. Action screws are tight but I didn’t torque them. It was pillar bedded by my gunsmith with Devcon for the action and about 2 inches of the chamber. I don’t believe it’s me but it’s possible. The rifle has very little recoil and all the shots feel good when they go off. Guess I could recheck all the scope and base screws
I have the same problem with some of my loads and I think it's a 75/25 split with 75% being me on the trigger. Some days it's just hard to tell if it's the load or the shooter, I've sold guns that I swear will just not shoot... probably me!
Also Barrel was properly broken in and has 212 rounds down it now
LRTom
Silver $$ Contributor
Get rid of the Devcon under the barrel. It’s going to change the harmonics when the barrel heats up. I completely free float all my barrels.
Tom
LA50SHOOTER
Sworn To Protect The Constitution.
I'd look for a small quantity of Bergers and try them. - I don't shoot a 6.5 or I'd just send you 30-40 bullets to help & see if that made a difference.
- Not to "flame" any product but I've lost some faith in some of the bullets out on the market a time or two. Reason being, Inconsistencies in bearing surface length in 500 round boxes with greater than 0.017 spread & they say "MatchKing" - along with weight spread to go with it. And even after sorting I could Not get them to shoot as good as Bergers right out of the box (no sorting).
- Not to "flame" any product but I've lost some faith in some of the bullets out on the market a time or two. Reason being, Inconsistencies in bearing surface length in 500 round boxes with greater than 0.017 spread & they say "MatchKing" - along with weight spread to go with it. And even after sorting I could Not get them to shoot as good as Bergers right out of the box (no sorting).
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pirate ammo
Guaranteed to take the wind out of their sails
I have noticed that as the barrel heats up some is when I get my best groups so I was thinking that could be a possibility
A little birdie just told me his pet load is 48.8 gr H4350 br2 primers and smk 142
A little extra something "
Check your front bag it shouldn't be to firm softer is better
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Dusty Stevens
Shiner
You have seen why loads dont hold up day to day. Theres no way your load will be the same with 30% less humidity or even a 10deg change in temp. Also you may be encountering conditions on the second day you didnt see on the first. A good stable load may be acceptable the next day but in all reality its not its best
I've got some to spare for a rifle I don't shoot much anymore. They are 140 Berger target VLD and I jammed them .005 in a 264 win mag. Shoot me your address and I'll send you 40 to try. They will all be 1 lot. They shoot very well for me.
Possibly cleaning the barrel too much...Try going a few times minimum without... Especially when you find groups that look good...
Thanks. That’s very nice of you. Send
ing pm
I tried leaving the barrel dirty after I thought I found a good load. No go the next day again
I can’t set up my chronograph at my range cause the benches are built on a mound but I started at 47gr 4350 up to 49gr and 49-52.5gr of 4831sc
DHuffman
Silver $$ Contributor
I don't have my notebook with me but it seems reasonable.
mikeeg02
Michael Glantz
How much neck clearance do you have? (Chamber neck measurement - measured OD of the cases)
Edit:loaded round OD.
A prominent 6.5x284 shooter friend of mine once told me that they need a minimum of .004" clearance. That seemed to be his recipe for making them more consistent from day to day. I have heard from other 6.5x284 shooters that they can be a bit contemptible, and hard to keep consistent.
Have you shot it at distance? Hows it shooting at distance if so?
Edit:loaded round OD.
A prominent 6.5x284 shooter friend of mine once told me that they need a minimum of .004" clearance. That seemed to be his recipe for making them more consistent from day to day. I have heard from other 6.5x284 shooters that they can be a bit contemptible, and hard to keep consistent.
Have you shot it at distance? Hows it shooting at distance if so?
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