6.5-284 shooters….where do you like your MV?

[Go West Old Man]

For 6.5-284 shooters, what’s your preferred MV range for your big game load ? Without dissecting & bogging down in the infinite details of bullet choice, bullet weight, brass brand, etc., what MV are you holding at and what’s “too hot” in your opinion. I’m broadly assuming our bullets are middle of the road weights in the 120’is + to 150’ish plus.

The reason I’m asking is I have a worked-up 129gr load that’s a keeper. It pretty well as holding MV around 2930-2950 and that was fine with me. 24” typical sporter barrel. Well, barrel is apparently speeding up after about 100-120 rounds & same load is now consistently running a few fps above 3,000. Too much? No pressure signs and load still shoots very good, but I’m wondering if it’d be better to have just a tad less MV. Thanks.

 

[BCsteve]

I'd be pretty disappointed if I had a 129gr load that would only do 2930-2950 in a 6.5-284 with a 24" barrel. You're fine.

 

[Go West Old Man]

I'd be pretty disappointed if I had a 129gr load that would only do 2930-2950 in a 6.5-284 with a 24" barrel. You're fine.

Thanks. I took the MV guidance from Nosler load data so it seemed reasonable.

 

[mtnwrunner]

2920, 147 eldm, retumbo.

Randy

 

[Flyjunky]

3015fps with Berger 156, shoots great but it was good at 2975 as well.

I’m with the above poster in a 129gr bullet you should be much faster but if it shoots lights out…I might be ok with it. If you’re shooting the LRX and I’d want more velocity.

 

[Flyjunky]

What powder and brass are you shooting?

 

[Gunaddict]

6.5x284 140gr VLDH 2995fps
6.5x284 140gr VLDH 2965fps
6.5x284 125gr BD2 3125fps

 

[Go West Old Man]

What powder and brass are you shooting?

New Lapua brass, 129 ABLR, & Reloder 22. Again, took load info from Nosler to use the R22.

Note: Intentions for this load is antelope & mule deer. Shot it the other day at 300yds & 600yds ( in the rain) and it held together, so I’m encouraged.

 

[Flyjunky]

New Lapua brass, 129 ABLR, & Reloder 22. Again, took load info from Nosler to use the R22.

Did you work up to max pressure?

Rl23, n565, 4831sc, and Rl26 would be others to try, although you’d have better luck striking oil in your yard than finding 26 right now.

Im shooting same brass but a heavier bullet and had great luck with 565, 26, and h1000. 26 gave me the best speeds overall. In lower charge range H1000 was faster than 565 but as the charge climbed 565 started producing better speed than H1000.

 

[Go West Old Man]

@Flyjunky , Thanks. Yes, tested at max 54 gr kinda using/starting with Form’s method & it was ok, but just for a tiny comfort factor I settled at 53.7.

I’ve got plenty ( too much!) of H1000 but haven’t tried it, and as you said R26 isn’t a reality. Trying to stay focused on working up one combination without getting sidetracked with randomly changing things that’ll require more components & range trips. However, I may do a quick H1000 small batch just to test MV which I can do at a local close by indoor range.

 

[Go West Old Man]

Did you work up to max pressure?

Rl23, n565, 4831sc, and Rl26 would be others to try, although you’d have better luck striking oil in your yard than finding 26 right now.

Im shooting same brass but a heavier bullet and had great luck with 565, 26, and h1000. 26 gave me the best speeds overall. In lower charge range H1000 was faster than 565 but as the charge climbed 565 started producing better speed than H1000.

@Flyjunky , what grain weight did you start testing H1000? I know you’re using a heavier bullet, but yours may be good guidance.

 

[Flyjunky]

@Flyjunky , what grain weight did you start testing H1000? I know you’re using a heavier bullet, but yours may be good guidance.

I started at 54gr but I think H1000 might be too slow for that light of bullet. I’ve never shot anything less than 140’s in mine.

I really think 4831sc would work great for 129gr, seems like a lot of people use that for bullets under 140gr.

 

[Go West Old Man]

I started at 54gr but I think H1000 might be too slow for that light of bullet. I’ve never shot anything less than 140’s in mine.

I really think 4831sc would work great for 129gr, seems like a lot of people use that for bullets under 140gr.

Thanks. I’ve remember other comments in other places also indicating H1000 may be slow. I have 1lb. 4831SC so that’s for consideration.

 

[Flyjunky]

Thanks. I’ve remember other comments in other places also indicating H1000 may be slow. I have 1lb. 4831SC so that’s for consideration.

Keep us up to date

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

Fwiw my 25-284 is pushing 133s at 3020 (trued) out of a 21" barrel. I'm on the edge of pressure at 55.5 grains of h1000. I'll be backing my load off .5 grains from where it's at now.

 

[Flyjunky]

Fwiw my 25-284 is pushing 133s at 3020 (trued) out of a 21" barrel. I'm on the edge of pressure at 55.5 grains of h1000. I'll be backing my load off .5 grains from where it's at now.

I’m thinking real hard about a 25 for my next rifle. I think it would double well as an NRL rifle.

What 133 are you shooting?

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

Berger elite hunter. I had planned on buying 134 eldms but the bergers shoot so well I haven't had desire to tinker.

Orange dot for size reference. Black was aiming point.

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

6.5-284? , and what’s your MV? Thanks.

Fwiw my 25-284 is pushing 133s at 3020 (trued) out of a 21" barrel. I'm on the edge of pressure at 55.5 grains of h1000. I'll be backing my load off .5 grains from where it's at now.

 

[Go West Old Man]

Ooops. Sorry about that.