Issues with my 6.5-284

[4xforfun]

Been trying to work up loads for my 6.5-284. This is on my BAT "M" 1K BR platform. 30 inch 1 - 8 twist Krieger. I have been running Berger 140 Hybrids and tried both H4831 and H1000. 3 shot groups are uniform but in that 1/2 to 3/4 MOA at 100 yards range...... POOR!!!

Just wondering if there was another powder to try or should I change bullets? Amax....Seirra? Using Lapua Brass and Fed 210M primers. I was thinking I should either change brands of bullets or maybe try the 130. I can't imagin that a primer change would reduce groups by 200%.

This cartridge is new to me, but I know it was/is very popular with the 1K BR crowd and should group 3 shot groups in the 1/4 MOA range at 100 in zero wind/ zero mirage conditions.

Thanks,
Tod

 

[dkhunt14]

H4350. Most the BR guys were running H4350. They pretty much gave up on it a few years ago. Barrel life wasn't good and it was finicky to get to consistently shoot small. It would one week and the next it would be bad. Once in awhile a really good one came along but that wasn't the norm. Matt

 

[hogpatrol]

I use Hybrid 100V and Berger VLDs and BR2 primers in a hunting gun. Worth a try.

 

[spclark]

What's your chamber neck dia. vs. loaded round neck dia.? It's possible you need a tad more clearance there; these 'overbore' cartridges seem to prefer more vs. less.

Tend to not last beyond 600-700 rounds too so don't waste too much (anything important!) doing load testing....

 

[FatBoy]

I'm not looking for 1/4 moa groups, but H4350 with a 210M under a 142SMK has always shot good for me. Lapua brass in a PTG LaLua match no neck turn chamber. Sub half MOA for sure. Maybe not BR accurate, but pretty darn good. Without knowing what chamber you have, what brass you're using and if you possible have a tight bore, that's as close as I can get to a recommendation.

H4831SC with Rem 9 1/2Ms is also an excellent load. I had a tight bore that would only shoot this combo.

I find the 142 likes 2950-2980 range best with these powders. IMO, they are too hot for a higher node.

 

[rardoin]

I would definitely try H4831...reg or SC (short cut).

 

[4xforfun]

I would definitely try H4831...reg or SC (short cut).

Did you read the OP?

"I have been running Berger 140 Hybrids and tried both H4831 and H1000".

 

[4xforfun]

Well....I have over 30 LB's of H4350.....I'll give it a try.

Thanks,
Tod

 

[bsumoba]

Could be a bad lot # of bullets or bad barrel. I would lean towards bad barrel if you cannot get a 6.5x284 to groups sub 1/2" at 100 yards.

If you have a way of shooting the same bullet in a different gun to see if the groups are bad in another known good shooting gun, then try that so you can rule out one or the other.

With regards to the barrel, is it coppering up a lot? If it is, I would send the barrel back and get it checked out. If you can borescope the barrel, I would do that and see if there is a lot of coppering.

 

[4xforfun]

Could be a bad lot # of bullets or bad barrel. I would lean towards bad barrel if you cannot get a 6.5x284 to groups sub 1/2" at 100 yards.

If you have a way of shooting the same bullet in a different gun to see if the groups are bad in another known good shooting gun, then try that so you can rule out one or the other.

With regards to the barrel, is it coppering up a lot? If it is, I would send the barrel back and get it checked out. If you can borescope the barrel, I would do that and see if there is a lot of coppering.

The lot of 140's I have shoot's excellent in my 6.5 WSSM. As far as copper, this is like my last 1/2 dozen + Kreiger tubes....after the third bullet in the shoot, clean, shoot method...It cleaned with patches alone....no brushing. I have 115 rounds down the tube.....cleans up lickidy split. I have a buddy that has a good supply of 142 Matchkings....I'll give them a try along with H4350.

 

[rardoin]

Did you read the OP?

"I have been running Berger 140 Hybrids and tried both H4831 and H1000".

Yes, my eyes scanned it...but my brain read H4350!

Nevermind...carry on

 

[4xforfun]

This is the last test I did with H1000 in .3 grain incruments. The bottom row is sighters and the single group second from bottom is my old Dasher with about 2300 rounds. It is the same gun....just swapped out tubes, so I know the 42x NF is good.

 

[germanlongbow]

Try the 142 SMK with the H4831 (SC). I had the same setup but with Neiska set up. Easily capable of sub 1/4 moa. Mine was throated for the 142's. I also had a 9 twist with Schneider barrel that loved RL 22 with 142's. It has over 1500 rounds and still shoots sub 1/2moa. Keep the velocity around 2850 and it will shoot. Scott

 

[ShootDots]

View attachment 1005751

This is the last test I did with H1000 in .3 grain incruments. The bottom row is sighters and the single group second from bottom is my old Dasher with about 2300 rounds. It is the same gun....just swapped out tubes, so I know the 42x NF is good.

Your targets "generally" look like a seating depth issue. I doubt it is a bad barrel nor the powders you have tried. I would do a large seating depth test>>>and if it does not quite get it, try another bullet like the Berger 140 LRBT. You can start that one 7-8 thousandths INTO the lands. They have ALWAYS shot best there for me..

 

[DaveTooley]

You can't force feed bullets. 4831 SC and try different bullets. H1000 is not the powder I'd use in a 6.5-285.

 

[ebb]

VV 165, IMR 4831 both worked better in my gun than H4831. It shoots Berger 140 and Amax 140 better than any others Ive tried. Don't believe all the talk about round count either, mine has about 1000 through it (and still going strong) and I know of others that have over 2000

 

[Patch700]

If the components are sound and you are positive you are not having a parallax issue, I would ensure you had .003-.004" clearance in the neck/chamber.

Don't waste your time on A-max's unless you have a huge inventory to sort from.. I would have no concerns using H1000 as you have.

What fps node are those groups in? Past 2975fps I found my tunes to be quite finicky.

Good luck keep us posted.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Good Post >
I just test Berger 140 HB and New Nosler 140's in my 6.5X55
Obermeyer 1-8.5 32" H4831sc BR2. Av 5 shots 2913 FPS SD 6.31

140 Berger's .020 off 5 shoots 200 yards under 5/8 group
140 Nosler RHt's ? .030 off 5 shots 200 yards under 7/8 group ( Had lower SD ) Nosler is in my town , the shop Guy said .030 off or more" don't push in the lands " .

Same load with 142 Sierra work well in my last Barrel and this one.

 

[4xforfun]

You can't force feed bullets. 4831 SC and try different bullets. H1000 is not the powder I'd use in a 6.5-285.

Could you explain the "you can't force feed bullets" comment a little. Do you mean that you can't "force" them, or jam them into the lands, or do you mean you can't make a gun shoot something it don't like?

Thanks,
Tod

 

[4xforfun]

Your targets "generally" look like a seating depth issue. I doubt it is a bad barrel nor the powders you have tried. I would do a large seating depth test>>>and if it does not quite get it, try another bullet like the Berger 140 LRBT. You can start that one 7-8 thousandths INTO the lands. They have ALWAYS shot best there for me..

As a rule I always jam about ten thou. That is where pretty much everything has shot best for me my whole life, so that is where I START. I usually fine tune with seating depth to try and shed that last little bit of verticle. Do you think I could reduce my group size by 100 - 200% with a seating depth change alone? I know that it is important, but I have never seen that drastic of a change with a seating depth change alone. On the other hand, I have always done my seating depth tests AFTER my groups are small, so there really isn't any room for a monster improvement.

Also, this will not be a comp tube, since I am kinda out of that for now....this is mainly for banging on steel and LR plinking. BUT, 1/2 to 3/4 is , for me, unexceptable...even for plinking.

Thanks,
Tod