Need help with 6mm-284 loads

[John from Texas]

I just joined the forum and posted this question in the "Say hello and identify yourself" area, but not knowing the site, was concerned it may not get many views. Anyway, my question is -
I inherited a 6mm-284 along with some reloads. Can someone verify these loads are acceptable 1) Powder 54 grains 4831 / bullet 85 gr HBPT Game King / primer Remington #9-1/2 red 2) Powder 55.5 gr 4831 / bullet 60 gr Varmiter / Primer Remington #9-1/2 black. I am taking this info from the label my father-in-law created. Cases were Winchester .284. I apologize if I have something written wrong. Hopefully you will be able to decipher what I mean. Your help is very much appreciated.
Thanks again.
John from Texas

 

[TAJ45]

I understand your Q abt loads being safe. If you are thinking you may want to start shooting and reloading, might just go ahead and buy a reloading manual that has your cartridge in it. But, not sure how often the 6-.284 would show up.
Regardless, a manual will also be good reading, leading to understanding what needs to be accomp.ished and why...providing you are relatively new to the hobby.

 

[LCazador]

John welcome to the forum. It would be best if you went to manufacturer of the powder to see if the loads are safe. While certain loads could be safe at a certain cartridge length they could be very unsafe if they were loaded to a longer length especially in a rifle with a chamber you know nothing about. You did not specify whether it's IMR 4831 or Hodgdon 4831. I believe that 52g is max with an 80g bullet with IMR 4831. I would disassemble if you want to save the components instead of taking chances.

 

[Adam in WI]

Is there any fired cases to reference? If there is look at those primers to get an idea of how hot they are in that rifle. Hodgdon (and IMR) and Hornady list load data for 6-284. It's a good start, but in my rifle at least they're quite anemic. Being that this cartridge isn't a standard round, it makes published load data just a starting guide and not a bible. My rifle has a very generous throat and I usually wind up starting one or two grains under published maximum and have gotten anywhere from 2-3 grains over max to get any kind of pressure. Every rifle is an individual. I'd be willing to bet the 60 grain load is safe, I run that charge under 87 grain bullets. The 85 is probably borderline, but without knowing the rifle on a personal level it's a tough call.

As @LCazador stated, it's probably safest to pull and start over. Especially not knowing the age of the components.

 

[BenPerfected]

I just joined the forum and posted this question in the "Say hello and identify yourself" area, but not knowing the site, was concerned it may not get many views. Anyway, my question is -
I inherited a 6mm-284 along with some reloads. Can someone verify these loads are acceptable 1) Powder 54 grains 4831 / bullet 85 gr HBPT Game King / primer Remington #9-1/2 red 2) Powder 55.5 gr 4831 / bullet 60 gr Varmiter / Primer Remington #9-1/2 black. I am taking this info from the label my father-in-law created. Cases were Winchester .284. I apologize if I have something written wrong. Hopefully you will be able to decipher what I mean. Your help is very much appreciated.
Thanks again.
John from Texas

John,
Where do you shoot in TX? Are you mostly a benchrest shooter or a hunter? This forum can help you with your shooting.
Ben

 

[LCazador]

John,
Where do you shoot in TX? Are you mostly a benchrest shooter or a hunter? This forum can help you with your shooting.
Ben

Ben have you lost it? That's exactly what we're doing here. Is this you Sprague or your wife Benicia talking?

 

[John from Texas]

Thanks to everyone for all the replies. I will try and answer the questions as best as I can. I do not know if the powder is Hodgdon or IMF. I am not a reloader - YET. The powder manufacturer was not denoted by my father-in-law on the box labels. I am thinking the loads are less than 5 years old. The rifle is in excellent condition - Belgium action on a custom stock. I will try and post a picture (not sure I know how). I was a hunter, but looking to do bench shooting and reloading as a hobby. I am in San Antonio. I have not fired any of these rounds so I cannot comment on the condition of the primer nor casing after being fired. I understand completely what Adam in WI and LCazador are saying. Before posting my message, I had stumbled onto the Hodgdonreloading.com site and researched the 6mm-284. I saw the data on the 85 grain bullet with both powders and noticed the max was 50.0 grains with one and 50.5 with the other. My loads are 54 grains - that caught my attention - thus the post. Adam stated what I was curious and concerned about - are these suggested loads or set in stone. As I stated, I am NOT a reloader. In my hunting years (.270), my father-in-law always reloaded for me. He loved doing it. My thought on posting my question was sometimes experience is the best resource. As to the 60 grain load, there was no data for IMR but the Hodgdon was in line with the loads my father-in-law made. Knowing my father-in-law the way I did, I cannot imagine him pulling a load out of thin air - but these loads were made late in his life and no telling where he got this data. I very much appreciated the time everyone took to get me straight. Knowing the condition of the rifle, I will try the 60 grain and hopefully all is well. I will disassemble the 85 grain as suggested. That is another thing, I do not know how many times the brass was reloaded. My father-in-law was frugal so maybe they should be retired. I do not know how to tell, other than spilts or bulges. Thanks again - I am sure I will learn a "thing or two" from this site. PS - when I get into reloading where is the best source for brass, etc. PS PS - what is the best load for a .222. Thanks again!

 

[Adam in WI]

If the cases don't crack at the neck, you might do some research on how to anneal your case necks. Once you figure that out the cases will essentially last as long as they'll hold a primer. Otherwise, Norma 6.5-284 brass run through your 6-284 die will produce a good case to load for your rifle assuming it wasn't built with a tight neck. One thing to consider though, I'd have to check my notes but I believe the W-W cases are on the high side for capacity. So any loads produced with other manufacturer's brass would need to have a slightly reduced charge to equal the pressure you would get using Winchester cases.

Once you get the hang of it, it's a terrific round. Light recoil, and laser flat trajectory. Please do a good amount of research though. It's probably not the cartridge I would select for someone to cut their teeth on reloading with, but having published data will help.

 

[John from Texas]

sorry - here is the image

If the cases don't crack at the neck, you might do some research on how to anneal your case necks. Once you figure that out the cases will essentially last as long as they'll hold a primer. Otherwise, Norma 6.5-284 brass run through your 6-284 die will produce a good case to load for your rifle assuming it wasn't built with a tight neck. One thing to consider though, I'd have to check my notes but I believe the W-W cases are on the high side for capacity. So any loads produced with other manufacturer's brass would need to have a slightly reduced charge to equal the pressure you would get using Winchester cases.

Once you get the hang of it, it's a terrific round. Light recoil, and laser flat trajectory. Please do a good amount of research though. It's probably not the cartridge I would select for someone to cut their teeth on reloading with, but having published data will help.

Thanks for the reply and information. Most helpful. I understood what you said about differences in the brass and power capacity, but how would I calculate how much powder to use in a case other than Winchester. Sorry for my stupidity. thanks again

 

[ckrifles]

John from Texas, I am not recommending any thing. But I came across an old reloading manual Hornady Handbook Third Edition so that's pretty old. It lists 51.7 grains of H4831 as max with a 87 grain spire point bullet. So be very cautious. That's a nice old Mauser just be careful.

 

[John from Texas]

ckrifles thanks so much. That lines up with what everyone is saying. I will disassemble the 85 grain loads. I will look on Ebay and other sources to see if I can locate the handbook you referenced. Thanks again!!