H4831SC in 6.5 x 284, what's too much?

[onelastshot]

I'm developing a new load for my 6.5-284. I've done some ladder tests using RL 17, in short I'm getting the velocity but not the accuracy I want. Another option is H4350 but I've heard people claim better accuracy with H4831SC. The million dollar question is what is too much? I like to get to 3,000fps but it's not the end of the world. I've heard some people say you can go 53-54 grains without signs of pressure. I'd just like to get some advise from experienced shooters as to what their experience has been. Sorry, I forgot to mention, I'm shooting 140gr bullets.

Thanks.

 

[Clucknmoan]

Sorry I can't help with 4831sc. I shot Retumbo for a few years with good accuracy and speeds. Just rebarreled and switched to RL 26 with great speed and accuracy. Running about 3015 with 147 ELDM 's right now, low 3's very consistent with single digit SD.

FWIW I am not seeing the temp stability issues above 85 f the some are seeing with RL26. But I've only tried it in this one rifle.

 

[johnfred1965]

I have a Cooper MTV in 6.5x284. Shooting .010 off the lands, I started getting a sticky bolt at 49.8 grains of 4831sc. When I first started developing a load, this seemed a little low to me, but I have confirmed it IN MY RIFLE. Some customs might go much higher, but it all depends on the rifle.

Accuracy was good for me, about .4 at 100, velocity from the 26inch barrel was about 2925

 

[Steelnecktie]

51.7 gr. H4831SC w/ 142SMK getting 3015fps. 29" barrel. Jammed in lands. Hot load small ejector pin marks. 2925-2950 is good accuracy with no ejector pin marks. If you were to jump bullet, may get a little more powder in before pressure signs.

 

[Tucker65]

I also have a Cooper 6.5x284 in a model 52. I'm using 55gr. of Reloader 26 with a Berger 140gr VLD loaded .020 off the lands. Velocity is 3075 fps. and accuracy is pretty much one ragged hole at 100 yards.

John

 

[Dgd6mm]

I once seen a case get welded to the boltface because of to much powder in a 6.5x.284..... isn't this why they always say WORK UP..... BE SAFE....

 

[ebb]

Yea that was me. I stayed up way to late reloading and bumped the scale while putting the completed round in the box. Here is what I learned. the case wasn't really welded to the bolt face, the over pressure had expanded the case till it was too tight in the third ring of steel ( the nose of the bolt ) I tried to pull it off and pulled off the front edge of the bolt that holds in the factory extractor. I had the gunsmith tell me if I had sent in the bolt with the case still on it they would have turned the case on the lathe till it was chips and most likely it could have been saved. Instead they silver soldered a piece in the nose of the bolt to fill the extractor groove and installed a Sako extractor. 53.5 grains is my load and this case had 58 if it was the same as the one next to it in the box. 53-54 may be safe but knowing what I do now I would work up to that and know before I started at 54 and regretted it. Like The Donald says BE SAFE !!!! Glad you posted that Don!!

 

[ebb]

By the way if you want accuracy and less pressure and less heat use VV165. People say using H1000 will save your barrel from fire cracking cause of lower heat, VV165 is right next to H1000 on the temp chart.

 

[284winner]

I've used 4350 and 4831 SC. Tried others but not worth wasting time discussing. Both provide excellent accuracy. The 4350 will be faster but the 4831 will edge out in accuracy. My personal load is 53.5 of 4831 SC. I'm getting 3030-3050 roughly. No sign of pressure. Barrel length is 28".

 

[243Mendoza]

By the way if you want accuracy and less pressure and less heat use VV165. People say using H1000 will save your barrel from fire cracking cause of lower heat, VV165 is right next to H1000 on the temp chart.

VV165 was my powder for the 6.5-284 until they discontinued 8lb jug of 165. I now use either H4350 or H4831SC. With the scarcity of H4350, I will try RL16.

 

[onelastshot]

VV165 was my powder for the 6.5-284 until they discontinued 8lb jug of 165. I now use either H4350 or H4831SC. With the scarcity of H4350, I will try RL16.

I don't have v165 but I'm fortunate in that I do have a good supply of H4350 and H4831SC. I've started load development using H4831SC, I'm going to see what kind of accuracy I can accomplish using this in my load development.

 

[lloydx2]

If your running a .190 free bore you can go from 51-54 with 4831 . You really want to keep
the speed around 2950 with a 30 barrel. You could go 3000+ but don't get it too hot.

 

[Medium rare]

How long is your barrel?