Savage 6.5 x 284 Norma

[maverick5582]

I have a new Savage 112 BVSS in 6.5 x 284 Norma. I just measured my chamber length and it is 3.220". That would leave about 0.120" of bearing surface on the 142 SMK. What should I use for C.O.L.?

 

[watercam]

Get a Hornady OAL gauge and start .020" off the lands. Get a load that shoots and then play in and/or out to your hearts desire. The SMKs seem to do well jumped a bit but they are pretty forgiving.

 

[Laurie]

Get a Hornady OAL gauge and start .020" off the lands. Get a load that shoots and then play in and/or out to your hearts desire. The SMKs seem to do well jumped a bit but they are pretty forgiving. [Watercam]

That's good advice that I'd second. I'd probably seat the bullets slightly deeper so that there is around 0.2" of bearing surface in the case-neck. These Sierras will accept, in fact often like, a large jump.

Don't expect stellar accuracy straight off. The 6.5-284 seems to be a bit finicky loads wise in these rifles. Also, most Savage owners find their barrels need a lot of rounds through them to be run-in and give their best. 150-250 rounds is a frequently quoted figure. Most barrels have bullet preferences too and this can be more marked in a factory barrel than a custom job. You may fall lucky with the 142gn SMK, or your rifle may prefer other models. Over here in the UK, the 139gn Lapua Scenar is the most widely used bullet in competition using the similar 12 F-Class 6.5-284 model, and some of these rifles shoot astonishingly well. So try that bullet - but only if the SMKs don't work out.

Laurie,
York, England

 

[cfvickers]

Laurie makes a good point as well about a savage, in my own experience anyway. i have the LRH in 6.5-284 and it was amazing the first 50 rounds and then kind of hit a wall from just past 50 to about 200-250, now at 270 it has tightened right back up and is back to a ragged hole at 200.