6.5x284 with 156 bergers.

[forrestgump01]

Did some initial testing to see how the new 156 berger would do in my 6.5x284 . I am VERY pleased .
with reloader 17
48grns averaged 2897 fps
48.5. averaged 2934 fps
49. averaged 2960 fps
No pressure signs at all. I'm not sure how much faster you can take this.
with the bc it should do very well.

rifle is trued 700 action in mcree chassis
28 in brux 1-8 twist heavy varmint contour
lapua brass
cci benchrest primers
156 berger elite hunter bullets
bullet seated 15 ths off the lands

 

[stello1001]

This is fucking awesome...
Any plans to go take an elk with it? Or some other large game???

 

[stello1001]

Also, will you do more testing with different charges so you can be sure you found the middle of a node?

 

[Steel head]

Be careful of R17 when it gets warm out.
Things can get exciting.

 

[Rocketmandb]

When I get my new 300 PRC done, I'm considering taking my existing 300 PRC and rechambering it in 6.5-284, specifically for the Berger 156. Those velocities are right in the area I'm looking to get. Thanks for posting!

 

[BoltActionBrotherhood]

I can not get them to group, whats your seating depth?

 

[forrestgump01]

I'm 15ths off the lands

I did do some more testing with higher powder charge with very good results , there is a large node that continues well above the 49 grns . I will post some of the info when I get a chance.

 

[forrestgump01]

so I went a little higher on the charge and here is what I got.

48.5 avg. 2925. 6.4 sd
9fps diff from prior testing
(15 deg colder than previous testing)

48.8 avg. 2942. 10 sd
49.1 avg. 2954. 10.6 sd
49.4 avg. 2980. 10.6 sd
49.7 avg. 2983. 1.4. sd
49.9 avg. 3013. 5.2 sd

all groups were around 3/8 moa or smaller
49.1 thru 49.7 were cloverleaf groups.
I'm going to go with 49.4 and test at longer range.
will edit first post to give more details on the rifle.

 

[Boar Pig]

Here is my experience with 6.5x284, 156 Bergers and trying to find max charge with RL26:

*Round 1
Called Berger and got starting and max loads for RL26 - 49.0-53.8 GN
New Lapua Brass
GM210M
RL26
Ladder test from 51.5 - 53.5 in .2 gn increments
Magnetospeed Velocity Range 2810-2945
I was still waiting on my modified case so I loaded round 1 at SAAMI OAL = 3.228"

Started seeing ejector print at 52.5 grains just a hint of heavier bolt lift at 53.5. Finally got a modified case in the mail and checked OAL. In my Cooper M52 with 156's max length is 3.224" or .004" shorter than SAAMI. I thought being .004" jammed was causing my pressure signs so I ran another ladder test.

*Round 2
Only thing different this round was loaded length -.010 off lands.
Ladder test 51.5 - 53.5
Same pressure result as round 1. So I thought using 1x fired brass would eliminate pressure signs. 1x fired brass grew .007 base to datum.

*Round 3
1x fired brass with -.002 shoulder bump
GM210M (primer pockets were looser than new brass but still held tight)
RL26
Ladder test 51.5 - 53.5 still had pressure signs around 53.0 with the 1x fired brass.

*Round 4
To me, it looks like anything 52 gn or above is not safe in my rifle. I'm going to load some batches around 51.5 and see if I can find something this gun likes without having pressure signs.
Will try to get this done over the weekend.

Here's a pic of the worst pieces of brass.

 

[MOUNTIC]

I can not get them to group, whats your seating depth?

I'm seating my 156s at the lands in a PRC. 3 round groups are in the .2s... 5 round groups are all in the .4s with some in the mid to high 3s. With many different loads. Haven't tried setting them back yet. But I dont really need to with how well they shoot. Just got 500 more delivered yesterday. If you have the mag room, try putting them at the lands.