H1000 or Retumbo

Which do you prefer in a 6.5-284 cartridge when chasing higher velocity with a 140 grain bullet? Would like a temperature stable powder that can achieve 2950 fps from a 26" barrel. It looks like Retumbo has the velocity edge in the Berger manual but I don't have any firsthand experience with either of these powders.

Thanks! Brandon

I have been using H4831 but wanting to try a few others some time. H1000 is getting some good marks from the long range shooters and thinking about trying it. Reloader 23 and 26 are worth a look as well.

Short action or a long action rifle? How far can you seat the bullet out in your rifle?

H4831SC worked very well for me with 140 Hybrids. 51.9 grains lit with a BR2 primer and Norma brass. The H1000 or Retumbo may be too slow and seating issues may occur due to full case fills in short actions.

3 round group at 300 yards.
http://imgur.com/a/rIqDD

Long Action
2.530" ogive (touching lands); ~3.167" COAL

These measurements are with a Berger 140 VLD-H.

Nice shooting Stan!

What kind of velocity are you all getting with H4831?

Retumbo will yield you the highest velocity. With the long action and seating the bullet out far, you can cram a lot of powder in the case. Work up to your rifle's max pressure, and then work just under that area for top speed.

I will give it a go this weekend if I can find some powder. Thanks for the tip!

Thanks Brandon, sorry on my last post I had the grain charge wrong, it was for my Creedmoor. The correct charge I am using for the 6.5 x 284 is 51.9 grains. The velocity is 2950 with 27 inch barrel.

That's great speed with H4831. I will give that one a try if the Retumbo doesn't work out. I found a pound of Retumbo so will try that this weekend.

Keep us posted on your results. Good luck.

I was running Retumbo in my 6.5 x 284 but switched to H4831SC. I am getting 3050 out of a 26'' Bartlein with 140 Hybrids

Wow! I originally discounted H4831 because of my perceived lack of velocity with that powder. I am running a 26" Bartlein as well and would be very happy with 2950-3050 fps. I just got the rifle back from the gunsmith so I will get to work this weekend with Retumbo and post back results. Were you running a magnum primer with Retumbo or standard?

I am using regular 210's with that load. I got up to 3100 but had a little sticky bolt so I backed it down a bit.

Retumbo for velocity hands down. I've run all the powders listed here in my 6.5x284 long action with 140's. Retumbo yielded 3000 fps in my 24" barrel with Nosler AB's. I also had great results with H1000 and Berger VLD's, but didn't get the velocity of the Retumbo.

Finished up load development earlier this morning and found best accuracy for the 140 Berger VLD-H with 57.6 grains of Retumbo and a 0.050" bullet jump. I only fired two shots across the chronograph which averaged 2970 fps. Thanks everyone for the input!

Awesome! Glad it worked out for you!