I decided to do a little reasearch and get peoples opinions or recommendations. I have about 8 to 10 weeks or so I figure til my new custom rifle is done. I have 2 purposes for this rifle, one is varminting with the 87 grain V-max bullets, two is deer hunting with the 110 grain Accubonds. The opinions and recommendations I am looking for are powders and primers. Brass will be Norma 6.5-284 necked down.
Case capacity is very similar to the 25-06. Using the 110 gr. Accubond I would think that IMR4831, RL19, & H4831 would provide the best results. As to the lighter varmint bullets I would try RL15, IMR4350, & W760. My primer preference has been the Winchester large rifle or Fed 210M.
Thanks, I read some suggestions on Steve's reloading pages and for the 25-284 H4831 produced the most accuarcy for weights 87 on up. I think this will be my first choice powder, from there I will see where to go.
I have not owned one of these personally, but have built several for customers. Although their performance is about even with the .25-06, they seem to group a little better and deliver a little more speed out of a shorter (22") barrel. Like the 6MM-284, the .25-284 really delivers its potential with RL22 - at least with the heavier bullets. I would recommend getting Norma 6.5-284 brass and just running it through the .25-284 FL die. You can make Winchester brass work, but it is not as good quality as the Norma and you really need the 6.5-284 neck die as an intermediate step - unless you have Redding dies, in which case you can use the seater die (minus the stem) as an intermediary neck die. I would also recommend Remington 9 1/2 primers. Great caliber.
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A man has got to know his limitations . . . . .
Imho you should have stayed with the 6.5x284 or the 6mmx284. they are better cartridges but thats just my opion.the 6.5x284 is used a lot here in 600 & 1000Yd shooting clubs. vangunsmith
Van, I gave serious consideration the the straight 6-284, but was unimpressed with the ballistcis on the 6.5. I like the 25 cal guns.
Roskoe, The Norma brass was my first choice. The gunsmith who is building my rifle said I should be able to just FL size to the 25-284 and not have intermediate steps. What are your thoughts?
Yes, the 6.5-284 brass can be necked down in one step with a .25-284 FL die. It is the regular .284 brass that requires an intermediate neck die.
One thing mentioned by Vangunsmith worth considering . . . the real shining star of the .284 wildcats, IMO, is the 6MM-284. This gun, with varmint weight bullets, is in a class that few other rifles can touch. Loading manuals show very conservative data - hardly above a .243. It is not uncommon to load the 6MM-284, with a 70 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, to speeds approaching 4,000 fps. And with heavier bullets it is fully capable of taking deer sized game and at very long ranges if necessary. 95 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip at 3500 fps - possibly the best antelope gun ever made. The 6.5-284 has a loyal following of long range target shooter - but for hunting, the 6MM-284 everything the .240 Wby is and more.
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A man has got to know his limitations . . . . .
Ok thanks for clearing that up . I was confused for a sec.
Unfortunately the barrel and reamer have been ordered on this one so no turning back now. I hindsight maybe I should have given the 6 a harder look. But hey, there is always another project down the road. I had a very specific purpose in mind for this rifle. At the current time the Accubonds only go as low as 25 cal. I am certainly sure in the future I will get the 6-284.
Remember just one thing that a LOT of people have the wrong idea now days! Velocity does not mean necessarly accuracy!!! You can take that to the bank. I know people whom shoot the 600-1000yds club,and the majority of them shoot the 6.5x284. SO< vangunsmith. good shooting
One trouble that people have run into with the 6,6.5,and 25 cal based off the 284 is that reloading has to be done real presice for its easy to have trouble with the shoulder of the shells,sometimes if all isn,t right,they have trouble when closing the bolt as the shoulder hit the chamber wrong. I f done right,you should have no problem . vangunsmith,Its also headspaced off the shoulder.
25-284
I had a very specific purpose in mind for this rifle. At the current time the Accubonds only go as low as 25 cal. I am certainly sure in the future I will get the 6-284.
