So, I bought a rifle chambered in 6.5x284 Norma, It’s currently configured as a bench rest gun. I don’t have a lot of prior knowledge of this caliber and would appreciate any help. The rifle has a 26” 1-8 twist stainless barrel. My main question is what grain projectile do these rifles like. I have a new 100 piece box of Lapua 6.5x284 brass to start with and multiple different types of powder and bullets in different grains. Any help, Data or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!
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6.5x284 Norma Help!
- Thread starter Vance338
- Start date
You need to shoot different bullets to see which one your particular barrel will like. We can't just magically know and then tell you. An 8 twist should be able to stabilize most of the common bullets you can even think about shooting out of that gun.
I understand that. I just didn’t wanna start with a 120gr for instance if people have had better luck with 140 grains. I’m sure their is a common weight that the 6.5x284 like, much like most 308 rifles shoot the 168gr well. I have Sierra match kings in 142gr that I may start with.
Assuming your barrel is good quality and the chambering job was done good, 120s, 140s, or 147s, or 142s will shoot really good. This is assuming you do proper load development. Of course, some better than others, this where you you have to figure out what your particular barrel likes.
You also haven't mentioned what you yourself want to do with that rifle. If you want to shoot small critters such as varmints, you'll probably want to try 95 VMax bullets. If you want to shoot deer, you'll probably want to try a 120GMX or a 127LRX. If you want to target practice or shoot long range, you could probably try 147ELDM or even 153.3 Atips.
So you see, the weight range for projectiles can vary so much depending on the use you intend for it.
I would just find a bullet I like and a bullet I want to use and start there.
I have had a 6.5-284 Norma since 2012 and have exclusively shot 140 g Berger VLD-H. I started with h4831, it shot little tiny groups but velocities were in the low 2800's. Then went to Ratumbo and settled on 3000fps.
I got a new Criterion barrel earlier this year and haven't put more than 20 rounds through it and its a shooter.
JFYI, I keep this one clean! Carbon ring build up can be tough to keep under control.
Do you know how many rounds your barrel has on it?
Also Lapua brass holds a little less powder than lets say Nosler.
If you run it to max and you change brands of brass start lower and work up.
Also, is it chambered in 6.5-284 or 6.5-284 Norma?
I got a new Criterion barrel earlier this year and haven't put more than 20 rounds through it and its a shooter.
JFYI, I keep this one clean! Carbon ring build up can be tough to keep under control.
Do you know how many rounds your barrel has on it?
Also Lapua brass holds a little less powder than lets say Nosler.
If you run it to max and you change brands of brass start lower and work up.
Also, is it chambered in 6.5-284 or 6.5-284 Norma?
I’m not sure of the exact round count but from my understanding it’s around 400.
It’s chambered in 6.5x284 Norma.
It’s chambered in 6.5x284 Norma.
I mainly shoot longer ranges with most of my time being spent between 1200 to 1760 yds, I shoot a 338 Lapua or a 300prc most of the time. Since I’ll be shooting at those longer distances I was also considering loading some 147gr ELD-M.
The 147s wouldn’t be my first choice in a 3000 fps+ chambering. There have been issues with blowing up.
I made a build, on a Tikka T3 action and a Hardy SS 26 inch barrel with a Palma medium contour, put into a MDT chassis and it's working just great.
My load of choise is a Hornady 135 A-Tip, going 3050 fps and it 's making some VERY tight groups and has made the steel ringing out to 1900 yards.
I'we tried out a lot of different bullets and powder combo's and it was a bit frustrating at start, but i realized, that primer selection was more important, than powder burn rate.
Here in Europe, we does not have acces to most of the powders available in the US, but there are though, a wide selection of domestic products availably and as for primers, pretty much all brands are on the shelfs.
After some testing, i went for the Reload Swiss RS70 ( roughly a RL26 ) and CCI 250 but my ES was a bit high ( outside the tens ) and Federal and Remington did not do any better, but then i found some old RWS 5333 and then the ES suddenly dropped to 6 fps and the groups got tighter ( 0,3 MOA ) so i hurried to the dealer and bought what he had of the RWS's.
Another important issue, is cleaning! Keep your barrel VERY clean!
Apart from the usual daily cleaning after every session, my barrel get a very thoroughly treatment with Mpro7 carbon remover after every 120 shots and it keeps the carbon ring away.
My load of choise is a Hornady 135 A-Tip, going 3050 fps and it 's making some VERY tight groups and has made the steel ringing out to 1900 yards.
I'we tried out a lot of different bullets and powder combo's and it was a bit frustrating at start, but i realized, that primer selection was more important, than powder burn rate.
Here in Europe, we does not have acces to most of the powders available in the US, but there are though, a wide selection of domestic products availably and as for primers, pretty much all brands are on the shelfs.
After some testing, i went for the Reload Swiss RS70 ( roughly a RL26 ) and CCI 250 but my ES was a bit high ( outside the tens ) and Federal and Remington did not do any better, but then i found some old RWS 5333 and then the ES suddenly dropped to 6 fps and the groups got tighter ( 0,3 MOA ) so i hurried to the dealer and bought what he had of the RWS's.
Another important issue, is cleaning! Keep your barrel VERY clean!
Apart from the usual daily cleaning after every session, my barrel get a very thoroughly treatment with Mpro7 carbon remover after every 120 shots and it keeps the carbon ring away.
I have reloader 26 for my 338 so I was going to try it first. Good to hear you had decent results with a similar powder.
