I saw your, "Hey Rusty", post below and was wondering if you have ever tried 6.5mm 129gr SP Hornady #2620 Interlocks in pistol length barrels on game or tested them like in your below post ?

The reason I ask is back in May I got a new 15" Fox Ridge full bull (.995 o.d.) barrel chambered in 6.5-284 that absolutely loves Hornady 2620's and 50.7grs of H4831SC with CCI BR-2 primers and fireformed .284 Winch. brass....best four round 100 yd. group thus far was in the low .400's.

The Hodgdon's manual states (rifle sect.) that with a 24" barrel and the above components the min is 47.0grs for 2670fps and the max is 51.0grs at 2859fps.....I tried eight pet loads beginning at 48.5grs going up to 50.9grs with 50.7grs being by far the best load.

How do you think the bullet will perform on game ?...got a rough guess as to aprox. how fast I going with a 15" barrel and the above load ?

Thanks.....Ike

Ike-

That bullet should do very well for you. It is extremely consistent in terminal performance on medium-sized game as long as the impact velocity range falls between 1950 and around 2750 fps, which seems perfectly suited for what you are doing.

This bullet is not flashy, doesn't have a polymer tip or a boat-tail -- but it certainly does the job on the utility end. I've even used it on a few hogs from both a .260 and a 6.5x55 (both around 2800 fps MV) and had excellent results. On the rare occasions when the bullet did not exit, it would generally make it to the hide on the far side and usually still have around 65-75 percent of its original weight.

Ike-

I forgot: I'd guess your load to be 2625-2650 fps MV. That would give you solid 300+ yard capability on deer-sized game.

Ike,

You might also give the Hornady 129-grain SST a try. If its accurate in your gun, it will also do the job down range on game at even less velocity. I got out standing performance with a 140-grain SST in my 13" barreled 6.5 handgun last year on a better than 200 lb buck. I believe the SST will add at least another 100 yards range to your gun's effective range...Rusty.

Bobby thank you for the reply.

It's good to hear from a fella that has first hand knowledge with the bullet, like you I've used it in 6.5x55 rifles with good luck but was somewhat concerned on the performance from a shorter barrel.

Rusty I load the 139gr Hornady SST in my 15" Encore heavy barrel chambered in .284 Winchester over 56.5grs of RL-22 with a CCI 250 LR Mag primer and get five round 100yd groups that hover just a little over 1/2" (.628)....I may pick some 6.5 SST's up and give them a try in the 6.5-284.

Thanks again for the replies fellas.

Ike

Hi Ike,

Since you brought up the 139 SST's, I have a 7BR rifle -that I recently loaded a batch, wondering what type of velocity your handgun was getting, ranges and/or success you had in field esp. on deer if you could share.

Have had good success with 120's and 130's but thought this SST might expand well at the velocities I am getting. Had a friend using a 280/factory sst's with great results on deer.

Thanks.

6.5BR,

I've not had the .284 in the field yet so I can't tell how the SST will perform on deer from a 15" barrel....although not confirmed I've been told that with the above load and barrel length muzzle veoocity should be right around 2750fps....when I'm at my best 200yd three round groups average in 11/4" to 13/8" range.

I've had a couple PM's regarding brakes....neither the 284 Winch. or 6.5-284 15" barrels have any sort of brake or porting and yes you are certainaly aware when the hammer falls but I don't find them to be punishing.

Ike

Thanks.