2 Quick 6.5/284 Questions from a Novice Reloader.

[SemperFiDawg]

Just started reloading for my 6.5-284. Specs are as follows
Remington 700, 26 in. barrel. Berger VLD 140 gr Hunting Bullets
CCI BR2 Primers. Hodgdon 4831 Powder. Seated 0.020 of the lands
RCBS 505 scale.
Based on the Data here:
http://www.6mmbr.com/SixFive284.html
I started at 49 grains and worked up in 0.2 grain increments until I got to 51 grains. I was expecting to get around 2900 fps out of 51 grains of the 4831. What I got was 2776.5 Also when I chronied Factory Norma ammo with 140 grain nosler partition bullets(which were very accurate) I got a 2950 fps average. Questions are
1) Why the discrepancy in velocity of over 100 fps?
2) Can I safely continue on up above 51 grains in 0.2 grain increments until I get to the velocity the factory ammo was running at or I find a more accurate node. Which ever comes first?

 

[SemperFiDawg]

Re: 2 Quick 6.5/284 Questions from a Novice Reloader.

Well scratch question #2. Was working up slowly from 51 grains and at 51.2 I noticed that my bolt seemed slightly harder to disengage, but it was soooo minimal I wondered if it was just my imagination. When I stepped up to 51.4 grains there was no doubt. It was noticeably stiffer. Stopped right there. Still only got to about 2816 fps. Having a hard time understanding why I'm getting a sticky bolt with 51.2 grains of Hodgdon 4831 at 2816 fps, but no problem with Factory Norma ammo at 2950 fps.

 

[308sako]

Re: 2 Quick 6.5/284 Questions from a Novice Reloader.

Deleted in protest!

 

[NY700]

Re: 2 Quick 6.5/284 Questions from a Novice Reloader.

I've been running 52gr of H4831sc at around 2900fps with 140gr vld's I've also had good luck with R22 51.5gr also around 2900fps

 

[QRE23]

Re: 2 Quick 6.5/284 Questions from a Novice Reloader.

Have you tried any RL17? Google Robert Whitley he was getting nearly 3200fps with RL17 in his 6.5-284 and a 31in tube.

 

[josephberry]

Re: 2 Quick 6.5/284 Questions from a Novice Reloader.

I can get 2990 with R-17 in 6.5x55, with 140s.

 

[bohem]

Re: 2 Quick 6.5/284 Questions from a Novice Reloader.

I have been developing a load for a friend's 6.5-06 (similar case capacities) and we started with 4831sc and 140 Bergers. Accuracy was excellent, but the velocities were limited by pressure signs and not case volume.

We switched over to RL-22 because I have a pile of it on the shelf, RL-17 would be another excellent powder to look into.

I haven't chrono'd the RL-22 loads yet, but they're exceptionally flat, running around 8.75-9 MOA drop from 100-600y, as opposed to the 4831sc rounds which showed pressure signs when they needed 10.5-10.75 MOA.

This translates to over 200 fps in velocity difference.

Powder capacity is a few grains higher than the 6.5-284, but the point is well demonstrated that the powder makes a big difference.