HELP!.. 6.5-284 trying to get it to group

[murf45]

I just recieved a 6.5 284 and I've got a load thats supposed to work for it, and the smith said shot very well out of it. Of about 20 3 shot groups in just about every group the 1st shot is always the flier, and the next two group very well. The velocities are very consistent. Groups were shot at 100 and 200 yds... Any Ideas of what might be causing this?

 

[archerross]

Could be your hold and/or sight picture. My 6.5-284 does not shoot well 'free recoil', rather it likes to be held firm. It is an 11.75 lb heavy sporter. Make sure your hold is consistent. I know I struggle with that some days.

 

[murf45]

I have a 6.5-20x50 mrk4 on it and always adjust for parallox. I like to think I hold pretty firm, but I'll give it a shot and see what happens..

 

[Johnboy]

hello,I have always shot a 5 shot group.It cold also be that the rifel needs to have one down the tube first,then start grouping.I'm like an old friend told me one time.He said why play with 3 when the rifel or shotter may change.So we have always put 5 down the tube.I've seen some rifels that need that first one down the tube then the rest are a good group.In fact my preacher has a 243 that I told him to just shot it at a tree stump and then go hunting for the next four shots or four deer.sorry that I can not really tell you what to do.I'm just an old boy that loves to shot.the only other thing that comes to mind is that it may be a rough bore.but I would think that wouldn't be your case with a built rifel.hope this helps,or gives you an idea on what to do.but someone on this site can most likely help,because they have helped me a great deal.
Johnboy

 

[murf45]

I appreciate all the replies, and am willing to try anything. I've shot it off a rest and left it for about 15-20 min and let it cool down. I came back shot another group and it shot the same first shot flier. I'll try the 5 shot group and see if it groups much better that way. It has a 30 in broughton barrel on it. It has about 170 rounds down the barrel.... I would also like to add that we shoot a sendero 300 win mag off the same rest and it shoots touchers every time.

 

[BigBamBoo]

OK. First are you using the load data that the gent who built the rifle?
By this I mean you have not tried working up you own loads for it?

Some folks idea of a good shooting rifle and your idea could be two different things...as it sounds,this is true.

I would try and work your own load up for it. There are so many variables that could effect the load your trying now. Where the other gent lives is totally different weather,elevation,etc. and this can have a major influence on reloading.

Good luck,Stan

 

[murf45]

Ya I'm using his loads. He also sent about 50 pieces of formed brass he had been using and I've played around with the load. The only thing I changed was the bullet from a 142gr SMK to a Berger 140 gr VLD Hunting bullet. The best I could shoot is 1.44' at 200 yds w/ a 3 shot group. In my standards thats not very good especially when the smith shot that at 600 yds

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

Ya I'm using his loads. He also sent about 50 pieces of formed brass he had been using and I've played around with the load. The only thing I changed was the bullet from a 142gr SMK to a Berger 140 gr VLD Hunting bullet. The best I could shoot is 1.44' at 200 yds w/ a 3 shot group. In my standards thats not very good especially when the smith shot that at 600 yds

There is a huge difference between a Sierra 142 and a Berger 140 VLD. You will need to work up an entirely new load for the Berger, and you should pay very close attention to the seating depth as VLDs are sensitive to this...

 

[archerross]

Changing bullets will likely change the load performance quite a bit. You'll need to work up a load specifically for the Bergers. I started off shooting the 140 gr Bergers. They shot my smallest group, but were not consistent for me... or maybe I wasn't consistent for them. Anyhow, I tried the 142 gr SMKs and while they haven't shot the tiniest group, they are very consistent 3/8-1/2 MOA. At least they were until I recently had to change both powder and bullet lot. All #ell broke loose then. Went from 3/8-1/2 MOA to 1-1 1/4 MOA. Time for some tweeking.

 

[murf45]

The smith sent some loaded 142 SMK, and they shot about the same as the bergers... Where do the bergers like to be seated to shoot really well, or is it going to matter from rifle to rifle?

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

The smith sent some loaded 142 SMK, and they shot about the same as the bergers... Where do the bergers like to be seated to shoot really well, or is it going to matter from rifle to rifle?

Seating depth alone will not make any bullet shoot well. Each barrel is different, and you will have to work up a load for that bullet in your barrel. Normally, Bergers do like to be jammed into the lands a bit, but it is just something you will have to experiment with.

 

[murf45]

The load I'm shooting with the berger is very consistent with in about 20 fps between about 20 shots. Its just that first shot is always flyig out and the 2nd two group really nice.. So do you think that could be the seating depth of the bullet?

 

[halfmoanut]

Are you using wind flags? They are very important.My 6.5 did not like 142smk's compared to 140 bergers.H4350,n165,are both good powders.

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

3 shot groups are not groups, and you can't tell a thing from them. You need to shoot 5 x 5 shot groups, and measure the aggregate. That will tell you how you load is working.

There is no magic answer such as only changing the seating depth. Everything works together....

 

[murf45]

H4831 sc, cci 200 large rifle primers, norma brass, 140gr berger bullets... using redding competiion dies.. we do use wind flags and try not to group on windy days....I'll try messing around with the load and shoot some 5 shot groups and let you know what happens... any other suggestions welcome.

 

[sdean]

To get a good 5 shot group the first 3 need to be good.

 

[Rodbolt]

If you believe the rifle is good and have shot a known good load, my guess would be your bags/rest setup is giving you trouble. If the first shot is a flyer, I'd ask if the rifle returns to rest and is on target? Tracking on recoil and free sliding is important to any kind of consistency.

 

[murf45]

update on the gun... I added a 1/2 gr to the load and held the gun as solid as I could off the bags and shot some very impressive groups. Ragged holes at 200 yds.. Just wanted to say thank you all for the input.

 

[deadlyswift]

does the first shot consistently hit in the same place away from your zero? If so what your experiencing is a cold bore shot. for instance If the first shot always goes a little high, and left. Note that remember it. That is where your cold bore shot is. what you have to do is compensate for the cold bore shot. lets say 1/2in high and 1 inch left. hold a 1/2in low and 1 inch to the right. then hold dead on for the next 4 shots. a lot of barrels have this problem with a cold bore. another note take your cleaning rods and patches to the range. when your done shooting clean the barrel good. then before you leave send 4 or 5 rounds down range, take it home and put it up. a lot of barrels will shoot better after the have fouled a little.