Newbie with questions

[Matt499]

Hello my name is Matt and I live in New Mexico. I'm 55 and got talked into shooting some fun shoots at a ranch where I hunt.
I went out today with my new 6.5-284.,birthday gift from the wife.)
I'm new to this so bear with me.
26" barrel SMK142, H4831 Fed 210m primer Lapua brass Oal 3.008
I started with 49.5 gr of the h4831 increasing .5 gr up to 51gr. No pressure signs at all.
The first group of three at 49.5 was awesome the best I ever shot sub 1/4" with avg vel of 2720 the standard d was 5 with a 8fps difference. I shot the others,50,50.5 and 51 grans and right away it was not grouping as good and the standard D went from 16 to 44. As I don't know what I'm doing I guess I just got lucky with the first load. I would like to get a little more fps at least 2850.We will be shooting out to 800 yds. If it's shooting that good at 2720 should I just leave it?
If I wanted to get a little more out of it what would I try first. Change primers,different powder?
Great site very good info.
Thanks in advance.
Matt

 

[Matt499]

52 people looked at this. No help!!!!
Will go to another forum. SEE YA

 

[billmo]

Matt, Your rifle is going to re-act differently to changes made than any other rifle. Just like your rifle likes a certain load. Some powders will cause a particular rifle to have a greater MV than others along with multiple other components. I suggest you try some other powders to see if maybe you can get your MV up to your liking. After all burn rate does affect MV. Now, as to accuracy, it may take some testing to get you back to your "spot". Bear in mind, I am no BR shooter. I probably shoot more than the average handloader but I'm not sure. What I have learned from handloading and shooting alot, is that you cannot predict a certain gain or loss with any given rifle. You must try different loads until you are happy with the firearm,loads,equipment, and the shooter. In that process you will discover that predictions are only guesses, not facts. I hope this helps. Bill

 

[Matt499]

Thank you Bill, I have never worked up a load before. I'm going to try some H4350 and IMR7828 and see how that does.
Thank you again for your response.
Matt

 

[billmo]

You bet. Anytime Matt. Bill

 

[varmintslayer]

Matt, there are a bunch of good guys on this forum and if you think you can get better advice somewhere else your kidding yourself. 52 people didn't have the answer so they didn't reply.

One thing you said: "New 6.5x284" is this a BR gun, custom or factory rifle? The reason I ask is if this rifle has a match barrel you might have carbon fouled it by the time you got to your next powder change.
Also, fire forming brass should be done at lower powder charges than formed brass. You can get bad groups from using too much powder on new brass.

The next thing to look at might be the amount you are seated into the rifling. Some barrels like it 40 thu in while some like it 25 thou out.

Hope this helps,

VS

 

[Preacher]

If it's grouping that good I wouldn't change anything for a 100 FPS gain....
What bullet weight are you shooting ?

 

[Matt499]

Preacher,
142 SMK

 

[Matt499]

VS, Thanks for the info. Pack-nor with a win action.
I got the stony point set up for aol but can't seem to get a good reading. Not much bullet left in the case neck. Also used the cleaning rod method to check.
Got the gun from a friend of mine who shot 50 rounds thru it and he lost interest in it. Was doing something for Barnes with it but ran out of time. He was shooting a 130 gr. Barnes at 3.030 oal and I'm at 3.008 with the 142SMK. As I said I really don't know much about all this.
Thanks
Matt

 

[Matt499]

Taking the 6.5-284 back as I can return it. Took it to a gun maker today he is very good. It has way to much free bore and I mean way to much as I can almost push the bullet out of the case when chambered. Either re-barrel or set back the barrel.
Going to have him build one for me. What about a 8 twist barrel for the 142SMK and I'm leaning towards a rem action.
Thanks
Matt

 

[FroggyOne2]

If you can afford it.. get a Barnard from Mac Tilton before the prices go up!!!

 

[billmo]

Matt, Don't overlook the Savage 3 screw Target action either. You may want to ask around and see how some of these guys are liking the Savage. I have read some very good reports on these and the price is very reasonable at around $ 450.00 or so. I hope this helps. Bill

EDIT Matt, The 1 - 8 twist will work great with the 142s and even lighter bullets except for maybe the real light ones. In my experience anyway. BIll

 

[FroggyOne2]

Yeah.. I forgot that one.. and Gary Eliseo is making the B1 prone stock for that action now too!

 

[Matt499]

Thanks Bill for all the info.
I just should have had one built from the get go. I learned another lesson. It was worth the 90 mile trip yesterday to have it checked out.
Matt

 

[varmintslayer]

Well that sucks, at least you got smart and took it to a gunsmith and you found out the bad news.
If I were to make any recommendation to someone getting into this sport it would be: "If you can afford it, have a new gun built".

There are gunsmiths and then there are gunsmiths. The 6.5x284 was most likely built by a someone proclaiming to be a Gunsmith.


Look at 6mmbr home page under gunsmiths. You will find guys like Jim Borden, Alex Sitman and more. These guys have methods and knowledge of building world class rifles that any local gunsmith will never have.

Borden offers new 1000 yard rifles for $3200,not including scope) Sitman could probably put a gun together for a little less.

Do yourself a favor and stay away from the production Savage target rifles, there junk,trust me I know).


Good luck in your endeavors.


VS