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

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.

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

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.

Sounds like a nice rig dirtfarmer. 6.5x284 was a favorite of mine for a long time.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Hard to refute that one...

And you're not alone with that premise.

DF

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 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

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.

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

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.

Sweet rig, did you do the stain and clear coat?

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

I was thinking of redoing one of my rifles but it has some deep dings in the wood, do you sand until they go away or is there a filler you can use?

It depends. Deep dings can't always be sanded out, as the stock may start taking on some weird shapes...

Some finishers talk about slurry fills with sawdust plus finish. Probably not the best idea, not a robust fix. Clear epoxy can be used judicially in small holes.

I've used sawdust from the project with glue, but those filled in areas seem darker than the surrounding wood. Brownells has shellac sticks of various shades of color and I think some pro's use these. Making a patch not look like a patch can be pretty high end stuff.

I would consult Karnis if I couldn't figure it out. He's had a world of experience and is one of the best, IMHO.

DF

I'm in Canada and don't think anyone do stocks up here.

Canada is a big country. Surely there are some talented stock makers up there, somewhere...

DF

I like it DF.

No chit EB, that's a fine shooting rig indeed, and also happens to be the prettiest Boyd's laminate I've ever seen.

Another well done project DF, congrats.

Gunner

I think I know where one of them is.

Like the 6.5x284. It really does a number on mule deer. Have found however that my 6.5-06 custom feeds better and can easily handle the long slender 160gr flat-nose bear/ elk medicine. The 6.5-06 also is much cheaper to find brass. Highly recommend both calibers!

That is a beautiful rifle and what a shooter! Congrats on such an awesome build.