G'Day John,


I've purchased a Schultz and Larson 6.5/284 Norma and looking for data for 140gn bullets with ADI powders (Hodgdon Extremes), as that is just about all we have available in Aus at the moment. Nosler's data with H4831sc seems a bit wimpy at
49gn for 2768fps in a 26 inch barrel! I beat that quite easily in my 6.5x57 with a 24" barrel. I see in Gun Gack 1 that you listed data for your 6.5-284 and 140gn bullet of 53gn H4831 for 2941 fps. However, I understand your rifle was the 2.8" COL version. How much velocity increase can be expected from the longer 3.2" version? Would 3000fps be a realistic expectation with a 140gn bullet and H4831 (AR2213sc) in a 26 inch barrel?

Thanks for your time.

Seems like a QL question to me

Elvis,

According to the 4-to-1 Rule, the amount of powder space available in the longer-seated version of the 6.5-.284 is about 5.5 grains--an increase of about 10%. This results in a potential velocity increase of about 2.5%, which translates to about 75 fps in the same barrel length, when loaded to the same pressure.

It's interesting that the SAAMI and CIP maximum pressure limits are 58,000 and 59,465 psi respectively. I would have expected higher max pressures with the newer Norma being it was submitted in 1999.

Thanks mate. I'm not looking to hot rod it, just a good hunting load. But no point loading it to 6.5x55 or 6.5x57 levels either.
It seems around the 3000fps mark would be a reasonable velocity to work up to. Thanks for your assistance.

You're welcome!

Good hunting,
John

2950-3000 is reasonable with modern powders. I've built quite a few. Right now I'm using R26 but i have tried others. In my 1000 yd BR days we found 2900-2950 to be a really good node. 3000 never won a match

both of my 6.5x284 liked H4831 S.C. very accurate cartridge ,enjoy Pete53

I also ran a 6.5 x284 in 1000 yard BR and had similar experiences. 3000 (even 3100) was doable, especially with RL25 but you would get vertical and lots of unexplained flyers. 2950 or so was much better.

how much RE-26? 123 lapua? 130 norma? 139 lapua?

I'll have to check. I mostly run 140 Berger and 143 ELDX.
When i used to run 130 Norma Diamonds i used R17, 3150 was magic

I have to agree with your numbers. Everything I've read states 2950 is the target FPS. Mine is 2900 and shoots lights out.

I don’t know what accuracy is for different folks. I had a savage f class that shot 140 Sierra match bullets at close to 3000 fps. Put 5 into an inch at 300 yards several times. I personally thought that was accurate. Edk

It's very possible with modern powders you can do this. We couldn't with H4831, 4350 or VV160

What can you reasonably expect with H4831 or H4350?

I'd have to check but I am thinking my 23" barreled 6.5-284 was around 2850 fps for 140 vld with H4350. Accuracy was good so printed a drop chart and moved on.

My 30" Hart barrel uses 142 gr Sierra HPBT bullets and 51.5 grains of H 4831 sc to get 2925 fps with Rem 9.5 primers in Win brass with a coal of 3.045". Very accurate in my rifle.

I could get 2900 with a 26" barrel. I could get faster with R17 but no accuracy at much over 2900

I shot the 6.5x284 quite a bit.

Burning RS Magnum worked great for me, for speed 3K, and accuracy. Anything 140 grain.

RS magnum, magpro both give great velocities. I got terrible ES so i stopped using them for the most part.

Dennis,

Did you try magnum primers with Magnum?

Am just diving back into the 6.5-.284 in a NULA Model 20....

Don’t forget to buy a cook book!

Well.....it seems my original question regarding the 6.5-284 Norma was a waste of time. Despite the Schultz and Larson Australian importer telling me he was sure it was chambered for the Norma 3.2" COL version it seems it ain't. I had to seat a 140gn Hornady to 2.912" to clear the lands. So longer than the 2.8" version but way shorter than the Norma 3.2" version. The barrel is stamped 6.5-284 with no mention of the Norma name. I don't suppose it really matters in the end though. I should be able to get to 2900-2950fps in the 26 inch barrel.

Good read above.

You still shooting this thing?

Yes.