Pet 6.5 284 norma loads

[LBEdgin]

Just picked up a nice rifle chambered in 6.5 284 Norma, and the original owner was good enough to passed along his load information (H4831sc) which was indeed a great load. I would like very much to find a backup load for this rifle. Would anyone care to share the powder that works best them, as I think we may have a shortage of powders coming our way. I really hope I'm wrong about this, but things are not looking good. I thank you inadvance.

 

[Bob3700]

The two best powders I have found, shooting 142 SMKs are Hogden H1000 and VV165.
H1000 was the best accuracy in my rifle. Plus, being a slow magnum powder it was easier on the throat. It was hard to find for awhile so I switched to VV165. This is another cool burning powder that is easier on throats. All loads were with Lapua brass with a no- turn neck chamber.
Both powders provided excellent results.

 

[Desert Fox]

Another good powder is H-4350. My rifle loves both H-4831 and 4350. I can't see the difference in accuracy.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

49.0 H4350 with a Moly coated 142 gave me 2925 fps with no pressure signs in high temps

 

[Bob3700]

Another good powder is H-4350. My rifle loves both H-4831 and 4350. I can't see the difference in accuracy.

H4350 has been the standard powder in a 6.5x284. While performance was/is excellent, you pay the price in barrel life. H4831sc, in my rifle, never gave the velocity before running into pressure problems. Each bbl is an individual so that may just be a limitation of mine.
Typical bbl life on this round is short, 900-1200 rounds depending. That is one reason that folks began experimenting with the slower/cooler burning powders like H1000 and VV165.
You have four recommendations with available powders so you can pick one or two and see what your rifle likes. Good luck.

 

[284winner]

Just picked up a nice rifle chambered in 6.5 284 Norma, and the original owner was good enough to passed along his load information (H4831sc) which was indeed a great load. I would like very much to find a backup load for this rifle. Would anyone care to share the powder that works best them, as I think we may have a shortage of powders coming our way. I really hope I'm wrong about this, but things are not looking good. I thank you inadvance.

53.5 H4831sc. 140 Bergers or Hornady 140 Amax(ELDM). Same load for both bullets. RL26 and H4350 are two others that I've used.

 

[Walt Schmidlin]

H-4831SC, H-4350 & N-165 with 142SMKs, 210Ms, Lapua no turn necks all worked. Using H-4831SC because I have it.

 

[STOMP442]

H1000 has always been my go to powder in that cartridge. 55ish grains under a 140 Berger has always produced outstanding results. It's a shame that cartridge has lost most of its fanfare. It's a good one.

 

[Bob3700]

I think two issues have affected the 6.5x284’s decline in popularity.
The larger 6mms (243 SLR) push 115 gr bullets fast enough to provide similar ballistics with lower recoil. I don’t know if there is a lot of difference in barrel life between a hot 6 mm with heavy bullets and a 6.5x284.
In “F” Class, the superior ballistics of heavy 7 mm bullets are a distinct advantage. Barrel life is a bit better as well.
That is just my opinion.02 and I shoot both 6.5x284 and 243 SLR in MR and LR prone competitions.

 

[Bob3700]

H1000 has always been my go to powder in that cartridge. 55ish grains under a 140 Berger has always produced outstanding results. It's a shame that cartridge has lost most of its fanfare. It's a good one.

My rifle favors H1000 as well. Most accurate loads are with this powder. Problem is, Hodgden powders have gotten expensive and (at least H1000) hard to come by in 8 lb containers. Hence the switch to VV165, at not quite 1/2 the cost.

 

[LCazador]

N560 and N565 have been working well for me in my 6.5X284 Shehane but it's hard to beat H4831SC.

 

[T.Moore]

Just installed a new kreiger 1:7.5 twist 6.5x284 barrel. Using Berger 153.5 hybrids my best load is with H1000 powder. 54.5g yields 2900fps with a 30" barrel. Previous barrel like H4350 with Sierra 142's.