Some load data required

[Rocket]

As a new shooter to the F class I would like to call on others experience in the game.
I also do not shoot in competitions just my wife and son on a Sunday at the rifle club.
I am using a Savage S/S 6.5/284 28" Brl 1-8" left hand load port F stocked with a beaver tail front end NXS 8-32 x 56 NP-1.
I am reloading 140gn BT Berger Target with 47gn RE-19 Lapua case 54.75mm trim length and 30 thou jump.
Any loads you may want to kindly share (I will reduce them by 5%) will be gladly looked into. use lenay@bigpond.net.au for replies.
I cannot afford to replace the worn out barrels to get the right load set up, and I was informed by club shooters this was the grail for F class.
As I have read the 6.5/284 being a high intensity round can shag the barrels out as early as 700 rounds, my rifle has had 356 at this stage.


Has anyone used this round for hunting as I have Hornady 140gn A Max, 120gn Noslers and 123gn A Max to load up are these sufficent for, Camels, Donkeys up to 200m and Dingos from up to 300-450m!
I would really appreciate assistance as I am going to use it for a hunting trip in Aug 2011.

[AlanF]

Rocket,

I've been shooting a 6.5-284 for about 8 years in F-Class, but have never used RL19 or Berger BTs. If you aren't committed to these, then I can recommend Sierra Matchking 142s jammed and 2213SC powder, starting at 51gn and working up till you find an accuracy node. I prefer CCI BR-2 primers, but primer choice is not critical. Re using this calibre for hunting, its probably a bit light for what you have in mind - camels are a very big animal - you'd be better with at least a 30-06 I would have thought.

Alan

[bruce moulds]

rocket,
i have shot dingos and camels.
for dingos, a fast 6mm is ideal with 80 to 87 gn bullets. this would make 100 gn bullets ideal in 6.5, or possibly 120gn.
a flat trajectory is often useful as dingos are not really deep bodied, and ranges can be hard to guess. the 123 amax might expand well on light bodied dogs, but i have no experience with this bullet.
big camels can weigh more than cattle, and have bigger bones.
for body shots on them, bullet placement is critical, even with a 375.
if i were using a 6.5, i would be looking at the heaviest barnes x bullet that my twist would handle.
bergers might be good deer bullets, but they are not up to the penetrating/bone busting required on camels.
other bullets to consider are woodleigh bonded cores made in aust. if they offer a choice of jacket thickness, go for the thicker one.also, the heaviest one.
the spine in the neck a bit down from the head is a deadly shot. the heart is very low and further back than most animals and will kill well. a frontal brisket shot, placed low will put a camel down instantly, as it breaks the spine.
be very wary of a wounded camel on the ground.
bullets for camels will work on donkeys.
most of my 6.5/284 ammo was using ar2209 with 139 to 142 gn bullets. 48.5 gn was often a working max load, but start lower for safety. probably 46gn.
alan's 2213sc loads might give a bit more speed than 2209
i have tried nosler partitions and found them lacking on donkeys. the noses blew off, causing the bases to veer crooked. in the partition type, swift aframes are good.
nosler and hornady have some bonded core bullets now,but i have not tried them.
for the record i have not used a 6.5 on these animals. i have used a 7mmstw , a 9.3x64, a 375h&h, and a 7rem mag. i have used a 6.5/06 on other game.
good kuck,
bruce moulds.

[Rocket]

Thank you Alan and Bruce points taken on board, I will see what Barnes have to offer in a RN 160gn and drop the range to 150M.
We will be using range finders and I have had the '84 down the range from 300-900m and dialed in.
I would like to take on some ground mutton at 600m+ as I am sure the 140's will inflict an instant kill.
I will fire some test ranging rounds previous day and ensure to fire from the same spot on the day, adding a bit of elev for the morning.
I know that from a good rest I can place the shot where Bruce says to and my friend has a 300WM as a back up gun, as we back up each other.

My friend was a NT guide and has warned me of wounded Camel's if I feel I cannot make the shot then I will wait till next time.

I appreciate the time taken in your replies gentlemen.