Hunting Trip + 6.5-284

[284winner]

I have plenty of backups for hunting. The only reason I am taking this one is it was built back in 2010 and has yet to be test fired. I am trying to find a reasonably accurate load in case I decide to use it on hogs or other critters

H4831sc is the most accurate powder in mine. Between 51.0-52.0 seems to give best results. H4350 is a bit faster but less consistent in accuracy...at least in my barrel.

 

[sawacs]

Bergers starting charge with their 140's is 48.5gr of 4831SC. Starting there with their 140 VLD's sounds like a good place to start since velocity is not a huge concern.

Gonna load up the following....unless you guys have a better idea for getting a VLD to shoot

(6) 140vld over 48.5gr 4831sc @.010 jump
(6) 140vld over 48.5gr 4831sc @.050 jump
(6) 140vld over 48.5gr 4831sc @.090 jump

Thanks again for all of the data!

 

[sawacs]

Berger was kind enough to provide some data for use with the 136 Scenar-L's and the 139 Scenar so I thought I would share that in case someone else needs it.

6.5-284 Norma 26" 1/8 twist barrel

Lapua 136-L Scenars COAL 3.180"
H4831sc
Start charge: 49.0 2657fps
Max Charge: 54.2 2936fps

Lapua 139 Scenars COAL 3.192"
H4831sc
Start charge: 49.0 2647fps
Max Charge: 53.9 2908fps​

 

[sawacs]

Okay, last question for you guys.

Bergers data they sent me shows charges for a 136 Scenar-L seated to a COAL of 3.180". My chamber will only allow me to seat the 136-L to 3.068" before touching the lands.

The difference in seating depth is 0.112" shorter for my chamber which means I cannot use the data Berger sent me. Even Lapua's data shows a COAL pf 3.110" which is still longer than my chamber will allow.

What should I do with the charge weights with a 0.112" seating depth difference? After factoring in seating the bullet .020 off the lands, the difference in seating depth becomes 0.136" less than Bergers data shows

 

[FatBoy]

Berger was kind enough to provide some data for use with the 136 Scenar-L's and the 139 Scenar so I thought I would share that in case someone else needs it.

6.5-284 Norma 26" 1/8 twist barrel

Lapua 136-L Scenars COAL 3.180"
H4350sc
Start charge: 49.0 2657fps
Max Charge: 54.2 2936fps

Lapua 139 Scenars COAL 3.192"
H4350sc
Start charge: 49.0 2647fps
Max Charge: 53.9 2908fps​

H4350sc? At those charge levels that has to be a typo.

 

[sawacs]

H4350sc? At those charge levels that has to be a typo.

That was a typo on my part.....The charges are based on 4831sc

 

[338 dude]

Though I'd be a little uneasy in a hunting situation...

No question, 48.5gr of H4350 with a 140 or 142 .020" off the lands. 11 barrels in a row shot this load sub-half MOA. Maybe drop it down to 48.0 or even 47.5 to be safe.

50.5 gr of H4831SC, all else same is also a good bet.

The 140 VLD may like more jump, I have never used these.

My rifle like say a .005
jam with VLD hunters in 6.5x284 Norma

 

[338 dude]

I am departing for a week long hunting trip out in west Texas next Sunday and have a 6.5-284 I built in need of test firing.

All of the hunting will be for Varmints/Hogs

Here are the specs:

24" 1/8 twist CBI in 6.5-284 Norma
Lapua Brass

Bullets:
-Lapua 120 Scenar L's, 123's, 136's and 139's
-Berger 140 VLD Hunting
-Hornady 140 Vmax

Powder:
H4831SC, RL19, H4350, AA4350, 4064, Varget, IMR 4350

With zero chances of getting out to the range before leaving, I was wondering if you guys have any recommendations on a bullet/powder combo that might do the trick until I have a chance to actually work up a load.

Advice would be most appreciated!

I have a Remington custom 65-284 Norma with a 26 inch proof the one in 8 twist I shoot rl 23 powder S b primers Norma brass this is not a great target I pulled the fourth shot and called it

 

[284winner]

View attachment 1118123 I have a Remington custom 65-284 Norma with a 26 inch proof the one in 8 twist I shoot rl 23 powder S b primers Norma brass this is not a great target I pulled the fourth shot and called it

Great to see RL23 works so well with the 6.5-284. I love the H4831sc but will have to give the 23 a try

 

[338 dude]

Great to see RL23 works so well with the 6.5-284. I love the H4831sc but will have to give the 23 a try

I used 4831sc for several years it was my go to powder and very accurate but lacked velocities and showed pressure signs with relatively low speeds

 

[284winner]

I've got quite a lot of RL23. I will put it to use in one of my 6.5-284s. Velocity has never been an issue as I get about 3000 fps with 51.5 grains in a 29" barrel. Dropping to a 25-26" barrel I'd like to keep the 3000 fps without pressure issues or hot loads. Building another 6.5-284 with a 26" barrel so it will be the powder I start with.

 

[338 dude]

I've got quite a lot of RL23. I will put it to use in one of my 6.5-284s. Velocity has never been an issue as I get about 3000 fps with 51.5 grains in a 29" barrel. Dropping to a 25-26" barrel I'd like to keep the 3000 fps without pressure issues or hot loads. Building another 6.5-284 with a 26" barrel so it will be the powder I start with.

In my custom 6.5 x 2 84 I run a 26 inch proof carbon fiber barrel the target shown was during load development and I am running 29 45 ft./s my latest load I found another node I am running 2980 with just as much accuracy as the previous load I’m shooting 140 grain burger VLD hunting bullets and I am jamming them .005 This 10 shot group was shot at 500 yards

 

[284winner]

View attachment 1118190 View attachment 1118188
In my custom 6.5 x 2 84 I run a 26 inch proof carbon fiber barrel the target shown was during load development and I am running 29 45 ft./s my latest load I found another node I am running 2980 with just as much accuracy as the previous load I’m shooting 140 grain burger VLD hunting bullets and I am jamming them .005 This 10 shot group was shot at 500 yards

Sounds alot like my performance. Shooting 140s at 2950. Shoots very well. 2-3" at 500 with no trouble what so ever.

 

[284winner]

View attachment 1118190 View attachment 1118188
In my custom 6.5 x 2 84 I run a 26 inch proof carbon fiber barrel the target shown was during load development and I am running 29 45 ft./s my latest load I found another node I am running 2980 with just as much accuracy as the previous load I’m shooting 140 grain burger VLD hunting bullets and I am jamming them .005 This 10 shot group was shot at 500 yards

Ya, that's a bad ass looking rifle. Some day I'll throw in for a Proof barrel on a build. Pretty spendy. Some day

 

[284winner]

Okay, last question for you guys.

Bergers data they sent me shows charges for a 136 Scenar-L seated to a COAL of 3.180". My chamber will only allow me to seat the 136-L to 3.068" before touching the lands.

The difference in seating depth is 0.112" shorter for my chamber which means I cannot use the data Berger sent me. Even Lapua's data shows a COAL pf 3.110" which is still longer than my chamber will allow.

What should I do with the charge weights with a 0.112" seating depth difference? After factoring in seating the bullet .020 off the lands, the difference in seating depth becomes 0.136" less than Bergers data shows

Run them like that. See how accuracy is. Not much you can do except drop down to the 130/135 for more case capacity. Only other thing you can do is have a gunsmith use a uni-throater in the chamber to open up the freebore to the desired length.

 

[338 dude]

Run them like that. See how accuracy is. Not much you can do except drop down to the 130/135 for more case capacity. Only other thing you can do is have a gunsmith use a uni-throater in the chamber to open up the freebore to the desired length.

here is my reamer that I’ve used on my 65 284also thank you I appreciate your comments about my rifle it is my favorite

 

[284winner]

View attachment 1118357 here is my reamer that I’ve used on my 65 284also thank you I appreciate your comments about my rifle it is my favorite

Close to same specs as mine. .297nk/.200 fb. Had mine chambered by my gunsmith with his reamer. Wish I had my own reamer now. Looks like I'll be calling JGS soon

 

[338 dude]

With a little more free bore you are set up to shoot the new 150s

 

[338 dude]

I agree with 284 winner probably the best thing you could do is drop down in weight load long for that weight bullet gain more capacity and be near the Lands. also if your magazine will allow that length the berger vlds like to be jammed there is a few more thousands out of the case that may help Also the burger VLD is shorter than the scenar from the bullet bass to ogive gaining several more thousands