short range bullet for 6.5x284

[404th]

Hi

I realise that a 1 in 8 twist 6.5x284 is not intended to be a 300 yards gun, but I have one and it works great long range. But I regularly shoot at 300 yard targets too as part of our local competition circuit, and the 142 SMK is just not producing the type of groups needed at this range for a decent score.

Anyone have an idea what bullets are likely to be a better fit for shorter range work in this gun?

Thanks

 

[22Mag]

404th
Try the SMK in 123gr. They are working very well for me, and my range only goes to 250yd. I am not shooting them very fast they come out at ~3100. My 6.5x284 has a 24" bbl.

22 Mag

 

[Dubya]

You might also try, SMK 107 and Lapua 108,lapua has a little better B.C.)

Gary.

 

[404th]

Thanks for the ideas.

Do the lighter boat tail bullets really group tighter at short ranges than the heavier ones? A local guy over here once told me that the best result in my gun is likely to be had with a 140grain flat base bullet, if you can find one! None of the target bullet manufacturers make one as far as I could find - seems boat tail dominates the line-up!

I see that Nosler now has a 140g boat tail competition bullet that has a more traditional design, ie the bullet is shorter and fatter, and not as sleek in appearance as the 142 SMK. Anyone have any experience with these bullets?

Thanks again for the help

 

[Asa_Yam]

6mm, 68 grain flat based bullets. Fired from a 6XC or 6BR. Works great in your rifle - if you get another barrel, a barrel vise, and an action wrench. And some new loading dies.

It would be very difficult to beat the above for short range shooting. Recoil is low,about 1/2 to 2/3 that of the 6.5-284), and barrel life is much longer,about double that of the larger cartridge).

Shoot 105 or 107 grain 6mm bullets, and you can give a 6.5-284 a good run for the money out to 800 yards. Beyond that, the larger cartridge has an edge - but it may be a very minor one at that.

 

[okie]

Don't laugh, pick up some sierra 100 FB HP's and try them. I have shot them from 8,8.5, and 9 tw. bbls in the 6.5x284. They are extremely accurate---I think you'ld be surprised. I also have shot the sierra 120 FB hunting bullet; it as well shoots excellently. I know they are not "custom" but they really surprised me. They are accurate enough for the 300 yd. game. I think a flat based bullet will work at 300.

 

[olympian]

Try some flat based rather than boattail bullets. The 85-120gr. class bullets with flat bases can really group well at 300m.

 

[404th]

Hi everyone

Thanks for the comments made so far.

To put my request in context,as this is also a benchrest forum) I am looking for a mere 0.5MOA consistent accuracy at 300m, and not 0.1MOA as is often the benchrest requirement. We shoot traditional Palma type targets at 300yds, only with a smaller v-bull.

So the suggestions about getting the 6mm XC, whilst interesting, is not really as much short range accuracy as I am looking for. I merely have a rifle that exhibits the often-spoke-about, yet up to now unproven, phenomenon whereby it will shoot well within 0.5MOA from 600yds to 1000 yds all day long with 142 SMK's - but at 300yds she would give me 2 out 10 shots not in the .5 MOA group the other 8 go into - and inevitably I drop points on those shots.

I will get some light flat-base bullets,although there are not many around) as well as some of the traditionally shaped 140g bullets and report back my range results.

Kind regards

 

[okie]

I have a couple of rifles that shoot those 100 sie FB HP better,very slightly) than 0.5 moa at 300----I will admit to have never tested them in wind. The 85 sie FB HP shoots really great in my 1:9 tw rifle, but the 1:8 tw gun blows about 1 in 3 up. These guns are not BR guns--customized 700's--with custom tubes. These bullets suprised me at 100 yds---excellent groups--I had to test at 200 to really see what was happening. I do not compete so you may want to take what I say with a little salt. I wanted a fast and effective,larger) short range varmint load. These bullets are really jumping--my reamer is for the 142 MK.

 

[dennisinaz]

108 Lapuas if you can find them or 120 SMKs. They will easily do what you want.

 

[FryeGuy]

i will go with okie on this one. try the 100 sierra HP. they are awesome. i shoot them in my 264 win mag and very often get 1/4" groups. did i mention it's a remington barrel? i also shot them in the 6.5/284 i used to have and it would outshoot the 107HPBT all day long, and come to think of it, it was the most accurate bullet out of that gun. it had a 1/9 hart barrel. the win mag has a 1/9 twist also. attached pic is win mag targets, the 3 rows of targets on right are all 100 hp, several different loads & powders. the 2 rows on left are all 120 sierra spt, which is also a flat base bullet. just give them a try. you can buy them at gunstop reloading supply, which is up in mn somewhere, he is great to work with. these bullets are also much cheaper than bergers.

 

[alf]

I'm a little confused.......

How can your gun/load be competitive at "long" range, and not be at 300?

I always do my load development at 200 or 300 yards. If it doesn't work there, it won't work further out. Maybe you need to re-evaluate your load with the 142's.

Al

 

[Rust]

When I first built a 6.5 X 284 I did a little experimental shooting with the 120 gr SMKs, CCI primers and AA3100 of all things and it was phenominally accurate out of a 1-9 barrel,and no, I've never had any problems at 1,000 with a 1-9 and 139 Scenars).

Let's just say it was accurate enough that trying any other light bullets at shorter ranges wouldn't be worth the barrel wear. In the teens at 100.