I have a custom 6.5-284, Pre-64 M-70, Jewell trigger, blueprinted with Bordens bumps and a 26" Kreiger heavy 8.5 twist sporter bbl in Boyd's, Jon Sundra laminated stock, glassed, free floated and pillar bedded. My best accuracy with 140 gr. SST's and 52.3 gr. Vv 165, is a .174" three shot group at 100 yds. Shot a .200" 3 shot group with 140 gr. Berger VLD's, .050 jump, same powder charge.

Tried RL-17 for the advertised extra velocity. Best accuracy/velocity combo was 48.8 gr, which consistently chrono'ed over 3,000 with 1/2" groups and good SD's. Over 49 gr., groups opened up and at 49.5, was shooting 1 1/2". The Vv 165 load chrono's at 2,950, so the RL-17 doesn't give me a 200 fps premium, only 50-75 fps and 1/2" groups, no teens or twos. Probably stick with Vv 165.

SST's devastating on Pronghorns and Whitetails. No report on Bergers, yet.

Dirtfarmer

Last edited by Dirtfarmer; 11/28/10.