6.5x284 with retumbo thoughts

any guys doing this with heavy 140s? been hearing you can get impressuve velocities with a compressed load of retumbo out of the 6.5x284

Hey bud way to slow of a powder, you need RL17 or RL19, Hybrid HV100, or H4831, to yield the max out of that bullet you should get 3000+ fps.

Dean

dean those were my origional thoughs as well! ive just read alot that guys can get 3100 or so with 58-60 gr of compressed retumbo. and you know i like to go fast

You will never get that much powder in if you really want to stuff the case use Win 780 or IMR 7828.

Dean

I am using 58.5 grains of Retumbo behind 140 grain Berger VLDs. With the 24" stock barrel, I am getting 2925 fps (MagnetoSpeed). This link goes into extensive detail about reloading the 6.5x284 with Retumbo.

58.5 is the max load for 140 grain bullets in the Berger Reloading manual. I had no pressure signs. The temperature the day I tested my loads was 40 degrees F.

I'd use Retumbo in a 7mm or 300 mag, but that's about the smallest I'd go with it. If you're getting those velocities with c loads though then don't worry about it, however, logic would lead me to believe otherwise.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WinnieTheBoom

I'd use Retumbo in a 7mm or 300 mag, but that's about the smallest I'd go with it. If you're getting those velocities with c loads though then don't worry about it, however, logic would lead me to believe otherwise.

---

I just looked in Berger load manual and it shows retumbo 110 ft sec faster than 4831sc

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WinnieTheBoom

I'd use Retumbo in a 7mm or 300 mag, but that's about the smallest I'd go with it. If you're getting those velocities with c loads though then don't worry about it, however, logic would lead me to believe otherwise.

---

I believe Retumbo is making in-roads with the .25-06 crowd.

Retumbo was the powder of choice for my 6.5-284 and 140 bergers. 57.5gr pushed them right at 2960 in my 26" barrel.

I am having fun tuning Retumbo in my 257 Roy, getting about 3275 with 72.5gr with a Speer 120gr. I've gotten close to 3400 with 74.5gr but accuracy opens up, no real pressure signs though. Slightly off topic but when you can get .5 out better, use the powder that your rifle likes.

SHM

We are getting 3050 with the 142 Nosler ABLR over 59 grains of Retumbo and CCI200's. Accuracy is right there with the best loads we have for the rifle so far. No signs of pressure, and room for a little more powder if we choose to go there. We decided to try this combination after reading the extensive post noted above and it was a good choice.

Update: Using a 143 Hornady ELD-X

Retumbo is giving the fastest velocity out of the 25" barrel. 2990 with 57 gr, 58 gr is about 3035. Only problem is i cant get it down to 1/2 moa, shooting between .6-.75 in any combination i try

H4831 with 50 gr is only at 2750, but with sub half moa accuracy. going to work up to around 53 gr of H4831 and hope velociyt and accuracy are both there. If not, i will try a burn rate in between the two, like 7828 or H1000

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Luke45

Update: Using a 143 Hornady ELD-X

Retumbo is giving the fastest velocity out of the 25" barrel. 2990 with 57 gr, 58 gr is about 3035. Only problem is i cant get it down to 1/2 moa, shooting between .6-.75 in any combination i try

H4831 with 50 gr is only at 2750, but with sub half moa accuracy. going to work up to around 53 gr of H4831 and hope velociyt and accuracy are both there. If not, i will try a burn rate in between the two, like 7828 or H1000

---

Have you tried different seating depths?

yep.

New update. tried up to 52.5 gr of H4831 and its giving me 2940 fps and groups averaging .37 moa (three shot groups, i know they are lame) pretty decent velocity for a 25" barrel and a 143 gr bullet

If you don't mind my asking, when loading a case for a full or compressed charge, what technique do you use to achieve uniform powder loading/density? Do you use a swirling technique, or tap the sides of the case? Or do you just drop it?