Retumbo in 6.5 x284

[Peterbilt2007]

I had a friend tell me his 6.5 x 284 was shooting great with Retumbo so I figured I would give it a try. I only loaded up 3 and kept the COAL the same as my H4831 SC and 139 Lapua . I tried at 500 yards and was impressed. 2 shots were 1 inch apart and the other was about 1 1/2". POI was about 4" higher than my standard load.
Load was 57 gr Retumbo
139 Lapua

Anyone else using Retumbo? How is it velocity compared to H4831?

 

[ShootDots]

I tried it in one of my 6.5 x 284's.. I got exceedingly good velocity and pretty good accuracy at 300 yards. I never used for competition because I could not get the E.S.'s under 35f.p.s. and some were as high at 45f.p.s. For hunting it should be great>>> but at least in mine, I could not reduce the e.s.'s... In someone else's rifle it may work fine. I was getting velocity in excess of 3100 f.p.s.

 

[338 Mollett]

Ben what type of bullets were you shooting and at what powder charge to get that speed ?

 

[ShootDots]

Ben what type of bullets were you shooting and at what powder charge to get that speed ?

I was shooting the 140 Hybrids. I would have to go back and look at my notes. But off the top of my head I THINK the load was right at 57.0 grs. If you want I can take some time and look it up for you.

 

[338 Mollett]

I have shot some 6.5 284 but never tried Retumbo was that a compressed load? I always thought Retumbo was too slow go figure.

 

[ShootDots]

I have shot some 6.5 284 but never tried Retumbo was that a compressed load? I always thought Retumbo was too slow go figure.

I think it IS too slow>>>that is why I was getting such H-I-G-H e.s.'s.. I don't think it was burning quite efficiently enough for competition. For maybe 500 yard hunting, it would be great. But for 1000 yard competition, an average of 40 ft. e.s.'s is terrible.

 

[Peterbilt2007]

57 grains gave a slight crunch when seating bullet.

 

[ShootDots]

57 grains gave a slight crunch when seating bullet.

It won't with a 6" drop tube. Well maybe it won't, I also had a .170 freebore + some throat erosion when I did my tests..

 

[steadyrest1]

I've shot it in hundreds of rifles. E.S. does improve with loads at or near peak pressure. federal 215's will improve ignition,especially at lower temps. Back off about .7gr when using 215 in this cartridge.In my chamber with a relatively long throat 57.5-58.0gr works very good. Over 58.0 results have been poor. Velocity at 57.5 gr averages around 3000fps with140gr Berger or Jlk. That said,I shoot more H4350 and H4831 currently. I do believe Retumbo is also easier on throat.

 

[MrMajestic]

Ben, I tried Retumbo in my .22-.284 and had similar results. I just switched to Reloader 33 and it really came together. I know it's a different animal but may be worth a "shot"! No problem getting 63 grains in the case as each kernel weighs .06 grains. Great velocity, sane pressure according to primer pockets, and low ES's. Just an FYI,

 

[ShootDots]

Ben, I tried Retumbo in my .22-.284 and had similar results. I just switched to Reloader 33 and it really came together. I know it's a different animal but may be worth a "shot"! No problem getting 63 grains in the case as each kernel weighs .06 grains. Great velocity, sane pressure according to primer pockets, and low ES's. Just an FYI,

On a 22-284, I think RL-33 or H50BMG Powders would be ideal, with 75+ grain pills! It is a MAJOR overbore and the S-L-O-W-E-S-T powders would make something like that sing a nice tune! If I were going to shoot something like a .22-284, I would be looking in the 90 grain range of bullets.. I am only guessing but I bet you could top 3400+F.P.S. with a 90 grainer! That is where RL-33 would really come into play!

 

[MrMajestic]

Yes Ben I'm using 62 grs. behind the 80 gr. A-Max to get 3750 fps from a 28" 8tw Krieger. I use the A-Max for terminal ballistics on Chucks and not sure how the 90's would perform. Guess I should try to see if they stabilize and are explosive enough. By the way Kiff spec'ed the reamer for the 80's and my COL is 2.931".

 

[STOMP442]

57.0 gr of Retumbo is exactly my pet load as well in my 6.5-284. Velocity in my 26" tube was 2980fps and it held half MOA out to 1000 easily.

 

[ShootDots]

Yes Ben I'm using 62 grs. behind the 80 gr. A-Max to get 3750 fps from a 28" 8tw Krieger. I use the A-Max for terminal ballistics on Chucks and not sure how the 90's would perform. Guess I should try to see if they stabilize and are explosive enough. By the way Kiff spec'ed the reamer for the 80's and my COL is 2.931".

I think that and 80gr. A-Max at 3750 would be an absolute LASER BOMB on 'chucks! WOW! Talk about F-L-A-T shooting! If I were a 'chuck I would flee in terror from that round!

 

[steadyrest1]

It is difficult to load a 22X47 below 3350 fps with 80gr bullets for accuracy,I would hope a 22x284 would exceed this performance. Between barrel swaps!

 

[DRD1]

Previously worked up to same load of 57 gr. ES was average and chrono with 26" barrel right at 2975 and very slight pressure signs. Suggestion is to try both F210 & 215s for the better ES. Went back to milder load of H4350. Did notice a slight gain in fps with the Retumbo and know that is a go-to load for some guys shooting way out. Personally prefer H4350 and H4831.

 

[nastynatesfish]

Swap to a magnum primer. You'd be surprised how good of velocities you can get with a REAL compressed load. I had my 22/6mm up to 53.5gr and that was with a drop tube and tapping it on the bench to pack it. It was still about 3/4 up the neck. Never did get any pressure sign. Never shot them because of the velocity I got with my 51gr charge. I've used retumbo in a few overbore rounds. My 6mm06 loved it

 

[1shot]

Shoot Dots,
Sorta off the subject, but you mentioned a 6" drop tube in one of your posts. I was working with IMR-7828SSC the other day on a Shehane And got the same weight by weight to H2O ???. I use a drop tube for everything and couldn't believe that the weights were the same. Do you or anyone else have any ideas? OP, if you feel I hijacked your thread, I analogize.
Lloyd

 

[Peterbilt2007]

No worries.......