|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1 |
I have reported on this project before and am giving an update. I have a bunch of nice rifles and this is one of my favorites. Pretty is as pretty does... It's a blueprinted pre-64 M-70 with Borden's Bumps, 26" Krieger in a pillared, glassed and torqued Boyd's Jon Sundra laminated sporter. It has a Jewell trigger set at 2#'s and wears a Z5 3.5-18x44 BT with Outdoorsmans turret and German #4. Weight all up is a bit over 9#'s. This weekend, shooting 140 gr. Berger Hunting at 3,000 fps over 48.8 gr. RL-17 and with the turret set on 400 yds. I dropped 5 bullets into a 2.05" dead on group at 400 yds. I had previously shot a 4 1/2" group at 600 yds. This rig gives me a lot of confidence, sitting in a box stand whitetail hunting in LA and is a nice rifle for Pronghorn hunting in NM. It's not too heavy to tote around and with a Harris bipod, does a good job on speed goats. It's bad on hogs and 'yotes. DF
Last edited by Dirtfarmer; 04/29/13.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 27,500
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 27,500 |
I shot a few deer with a 6/284 about 15 years ago. INterestingly enoughm mine was ALSO a pre 64 Model 70, with the JRS Boyds stock under it! So it is apparent now that great minds really DO think alike! I used a 90gr Barnes X coated in Moly at 3600fps. Made some long shots with it, but the most memorable was a three point Mule Deer 'eatin size' buck that took that little 90gr pill right in the ribs at only 150 yards. When I skinned that deer his on side or impact side of his ribcage was COMPLETELY black and blue or bruised from his withers to his brisket! No wonder that he only wobbled a few steps and tipped over! If you get a chance, try an 85GR TTSX at mega speed out of that rifle on some deer. You will be mightlily impressed.
LOVE God, LOVE your family, LOVE your country, LIKE guns and sports.
About 2016 team "R" candidates "We definitely need a crew with a sack of balls the size of hot water bottles, bloviated estrogen leaking feel-gooders need not apply." Gunner 500
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1 |
Yeah, I like that part about "great minds." And, coming from you, I take that as a complement... I've tried the light bullet/hyper-velocity scenario, shooting a doe with an 80 gr. TTSX at 3,600 fps out of a .240 Wby. I've shown that photo. Huge hematoma between the point of the shoulder and rib cage. Inside of chest messed up some, but not as bad as I would have liked. And the deer ran 100 yds. I'm hoping these VLD's will do most of their stuff INSIDE the chest... DF
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 11,654
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 11,654 |
Have had two, sold both during different fits of madness. Both were accurate and great to hunt with. I know the folks that have them as pleased as punch. I try not to think about it. Thanks for bringing it up.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,210
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,210 |
Sounds like a nice rig dirtfarmer. 6.5x284 was a favorite of mine for a long time.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,132
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,132 |
Sounds like a sweet rig DF. Good shooting as well.
I need to try the 140 VLDs again in my 6.5-06 as it seemed to like them. I ended up running 120NBTs in it last year, which seemed adequate for whitetail. Running the same scope as you on that one.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1 |
I had initially used 140 gr. SST's and they're about as accurate as the VLD's. I was getting the impression that these bullets were pretty hard, shooting thru some animals without that much devastation. I know some say SST's are pretty soft. I think the VLD's will mess stuff up better than SST's.
Should know more by next Fall.
DF
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 417
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 417 |
I used a 6.5-284 built on a Sako A7 action and a Hart barrel. I shot 140 grain Nosler Accubonds. I shot a Blackbuck, an Aoudad, a Sitka bull, and a whitetail in Texas. All one shot kills. The Aoudad ran the farthest at 40 yards. I was very pleased with it.
Bob257 7mm fan!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1 |
Haven't tried 140 NAB's. They're generally quite accurate and are a good option.
How well did they mess up the insides on those critters?
DF
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,757
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,757 |
I dropped 5 bullets into a 2.05" dead on group at 400 yds. DF Eh, big deal. Try shooting 6 shots then tell us what it measured... That is one heck of a group! Not to mention the 600 yd group.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1 |
I dropped 5 bullets into a 2.05" dead on group at 400 yds. DF Eh, big deal. Try shooting 6 shots then tell us what it measured... That is one heck of a group! Not to mention the 600 yd group. Yeah, that sixth round may have blown it... Actually, I was seeing the bullets hit thru the 18X Swaro Z5. I was getting a bit excited as I saw bullet after bullet hit right there, very close. DF
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,489
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,489 |
Sounds like an amazing rifle. Congrats on getting it to all come together. I personally think a 6.5 is perfect for deer sized game.
I am still shaking my head over those groups.
stumpy
Last edited by stumpy; 04/30/13.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1 |
I personally think a 6.5 is perfect for deer sized game.
stumpy
Hard to refute that one... And you're not alone with that premise. DF
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 244
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 244 |
My Cooper really likes the 130 Accubonds. 5 shots, five dead deer. It will keep em under 2" @200, for three shot groups. Mine has a pencil thin barrel, and heat is an issue.
Good luck, good hunting, and good times.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1 |
I really like Coopers, truly a lot of gun for the buck. I shot different bullet weights, different loads in this gun. It seemed to like 140's best of all with its 8.5 twist, so that's what it's been fed since initial break in and load development. We're so fortunate today, as compared to when I started reloading in the late '60's, to have such a diverse selection of really fine bullets from which to choose. Many of our "arguments" are over the subtle differences between quality bullets, indeed a "high level" problem... DF
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 11,654
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 11,654 |
We're so fortunate today, as compared to when I started reloading in the late '60's, to have such a diverse selection of really fine bullets from which to choose. Many of our "arguments" are over the subtle differences between quality bullets, indeed a "high level" problem... DF You've got that right. We've never had it so good and that includes the quality of the components. Only limited by ones imagination.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1 |
Yeah,
Failed to mention the fine powder choices out there and more coming on line all the time.
And, high tech developments like fouling resistant powder formulations.
DF
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1 |
My Cooper really likes the 130 Accubonds. 5 shots, five dead deer. It will keep em under 2" @200, for three shot groups. Mine has a pencil thin barrel, and heat is an issue. I'm sure you're already on to this, but don't let it get too hot. Those thin barrels in a high performance round can become damaged. And, the 6.5-284 does have a reputation as a "barrel burner". Mine is showing early throat errosion as seen with a borescope, which hasn't effected performance. And that's with just 400 rounds or so down the tube, never overheaded. DF BTW, most recent photos of 6.5-284 with Z5 3.5-18x44 BT with Outdoorsmans turret, zeroed at 200 yds.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,796
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,796 |
Sweet rig, did you do the stain and clear coat?
It is better to be judged by 12 than to be carried by 6.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,131 Likes: 1 |
Yes.
Custom Pro Oil, two base coats, wet sanded with 400 Emery cloth into a slurry, allowed to get thick then wiped across the grain. Takes 24 hrs. between Pro Oil coats.
To speed up the process, Tru-Oil, 10-15 thinly applied coats, lightly sanded or steel wooled between applications.
Final two coats of Pro-Oil, now including the checkering, which I farmed out to Errol Case in Missouri.
Stain was with dark brown Fiebings leather dye, coloring the finish NOT the wood. That takes some practice, but does very well.
DF
|
|
|
|
655 members (10Glocks, 160user, 06hunter59, 1badf350, 10gaugemag, 10ring1, 65 invisible),
2,692
guests, and
1,413
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,192,098
Posts18,483,058
Members73,959
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|