Velocity range for 6.5x284

[long40shot]

Hello all,

I am new to the 6.5x284. I have been trying out a few reloads that seem to have great promise. I mainly have been testing at 100 yards, some of my best loads are running at the 2765-2890fps range. My question is this, should I try going faster or just leave it a little on the slow side. From what I have read the slower I can keep my load, the more my barrel will last. I have been trying out the 142 SMK and the 140 A-Max, they both have been shooting .25 MOA or better , I kinda am partial to the 140 A-Max.

Thanks,
matt

 

[ChipEckardt]

Good news bad news.

I think you are right where you want to be. I use mine strictly for F-Class and mine run best at 2840 for me shooting 140 SMK.

The bad news. If you shoot a lot (I shoot about 1500 rounds a season) you will proably replace the barrel around 1,000 to 1,200 rounds. You will know when it goes with 75 rounds.

If you shoot F-Class and have only 2 sighters After cleaning the barrel shoot one round BEFORE going to the match. While I love the 6.5 x 284 it is temperamental and doesn't become "accurate" until you have fired a couple of rounds.

For all that I would never consider going back to another caliber.

If you want to really feel depressed do the math for how long a bullet is actually in the barrel. You will see your barrel does not even last for 6 seconds.

Chip

 

[long40shot]

My big question is this, does a guy gain that much by adding 100-150fps to his load? Or would I be shorting the life of my barrel that much quicker?

Thanks,
matt

 

[Kenny474]

I have two different opinions on this, the first being why run a round capable of such speed (2950-3000+fps) and dial it back that far when there could be a higher velocity accuracy node that will give you a bit less drop and drift? There are other rounds that will give a bit more barrel life and have close to that kind of speed, so why go with a big dog and keep a short leash on it?

On the other hand, if it performs well at 1000yds, then run it and save a bit of wear on the barrel. I'm not sure how much actual life you will gain, or if it will be worth the slight loss of performance, but if it performs well at 1000yds than by all means give it a shot.

Just give it a go at 1000yds (or whatever your intended range may be) and see how it performs. If it has more drift than you like, crank up the heat a bit and see if you can get better performance. And remember, this is simply one mans opinion, and only an opinion. Do what you feel will work best for you, and good luck with whatever you decide on.

Kenny

 

[camac]

Some guys choose to run their 6.5*284's loaded back for "regular weekend shoots" then hot them up for the big comp days. The guys I have seen do this still seem to only get 1000-1200 rounds anyway- but it may save some shellds. 2950 fps is actually a mild pressure load for the 6.5*284. It just shows case head signs earlier such as ejector marks and case head expansion (loose primers etc) due to the large case, small case head design. I would run with whatever shoots well. If you can get 0.25 moa at 2950 then you have a very competitive rifle. 0.25 at 2800 is still very competitive if it is accurate.

 

[bozo699]

long40shot,
I would say Kenny and Camac just about summed it up. My best load is 52.5 gr H-4831 with 139 scenars or 142 smks @ about 2980. It shoots one ragged hole @ 100yds and just over 1/2 moa @ 1000yds with a factory 30" savage.If I loose the barrel tomorrow I have had a blast with it, will call krieger and have another barrel screwed on in the same chambering ;D
Wayne.

 

[Rust]

I always run at 2950 fps, best combination of velocity, accuracy and good ES/SD numbers. 139 Scenar, CCI primer, H4350, Lapua brass. haven't felt any need to change anything since intial developement. One thing to keep in mind is that barrels are a consumable just like brass, bullets, primers and powder.