Think'in about a 6.5-284 or a 6.5-06JDJ or maybe a .270-06JDJ in a Encore. My question is what muzzle speeds are you getting out of your 15" barrels in 6.5-284? Are you shooting 95gr or lighter bullets? I'll be using it as a predator/medium game gun so I'll want to compare all bullet weights for velocity.

Thanks
Rugernut

Stve has a 15.5 or 16 inch barrel and his MV with 140's is around 2750.
I have not shot any bullet weights except for the 140 class bullets. NOt sure about Steve (sscoyote).

xp, Thanks.

I don't have time to get to the XP right now, but i'was getting around 2700 from my 6.5-284-- 140 A-Max-- i've shot 2 coyotes with it, and it exited violently both times-- 1 was beyond 400 yds. Also used the 129 SST @ around 2800 with Ramshot Magnum/Fed GM215M's on some big game, and a couple of coyotes. How far out do u wanna go with your rig??

ss,

When coyote hunting I have anywhere from 10'-400+yds, and the same for deer. I also will be using it for larger game such as caribou, sheep, goats and antelope. Have you tried the 95 grainers?

Rugernut

No, i have not. I'm assuming u're talking about the 95 V-Max. For medium big game, i've had excellent performance from the 129 SST, on elk, + this bighorn-- http://www.perry-systems.com/what_others_have_to_say.htm#Steve

You're not gonna see a lot of difference between those bullets to about 400 yds. or so, but beyond that is where the higher BC's will prove advantageous. For medium big game tho i like a higher SD bullet with the additional weight delivering more energy downrange.

Steve,

On that sight you said your getting 2950fps. with a Hornady 129 SST is that right?? Wow that's smok'in. Is that from a 15" barrel? I'll be going the Encore route w/ a 15" also. What powder are you using, because my manuals are showing that out of 24" barrels? If your getting this kind of power, I'll be going with the 6.5-284 for sure.

Rugerman

BTW, nice sheep. I put in for the Dall draw in Tok and Delta Alaska this year. Keeping my fingers crossed, hopefully I'll be heading back up again this year.

Rugerman

Actually, that load was pretty hot, @ 55 gr. H 4831 SC. There wasn't a lot of load info running around on that cartridge back then, and now i see Hornady suggests a max. of about 50 gr., ALTHO i have found that u can exceed the manuals by a margin (sometimes)-- no doubt they have to publish conservative data. That load was worked up to slowly but there wasn't a lot of time to test-- 1 range session was all i had then. As it turned out that load loosened primer pockets after 3 loadings or so, so i backed off it a little for a short time, before working up to 60.5 of Ramshot Magnum instead for right @ 2800 out of the 15" barrel. That was a good accurate load also @ 1.7" @ 250 yds. Now i'm using the 140 A-Max (.550 BC), right @ 2700-- that load gets me out there some.

Good luck on your sheep permit-- get a BIG ONE-- if i'm up that way i'll help u haul it out (by calling Ernie to tell him to come up there with HIS pack frame).

Steve,
Thanks for including me All I can say is more "bike time"