30-284 for FClass

Hi All
Not too many threads on this so thought I would start another. Currently I am running both a 308 and 6mm dasher barrels in my F Class rifle.
I shoot F Class Standard with the 308. In Aus, we have F Class Standard category, which matches the original intent of placing a 308 or 223 target rifle on a front rest. We run 155gr 308's or 80gr 223 in a rifle weighing 8.5kg, and can use a front rest. basically and F Open setup but limited to 155gr out of a 308. My 6mm dasher basically comes out for practice days only.

My thoughts are to switching to Open, using the Dasher for short ranges and club matches, and getting my barrel rechambered to a 30/284 or similar for windy days and longer ranges. The 308 barrel only has 1,000 rounds and is a 1:10 so should be able to handle 200gr out of either a 308 or the 30/284.

Is anyone running the 30/284 in Fclass or longer range comps? Any experience with loads, barrel wear, etc. Any other suggestions for a 30 cal round on a .473 bolt face?


Cheers
Adrian

 

You might find the 30-06AI to be a better choice to push heavy 30cal pills on a standard bolt face.

I believe the 30-284 has been done here in Aus, but my reading about it is the primer pockets are the weak link.

You’ll want as much case capacity as you can get to drive those 30cal pills to competitive velocities.

Out of interest do you use a Barnard action?

If you do then I would definitely have the 30cal barrel chambered in 300WSM and just have Matt P open up the bolt face on your bolt.

This is what I am doing with my Barnard, I run Dasher, 284, SAUM and 300WSM barrels off the same action and bolt, it’s a 30swcond job to change the extractor claw and your in business.

Also my barrel is a 1-10 and shoots the 215’s brilliantly.

 

Hi Ben
I had thought of the 30-06 Ackley, but think it might be easier with the shorter port to use a 30/284 version. Shooting a Shilen action (rem clone) and the loading port is not huge. I could always get a new bolt to run a mag bolt face, but always trying to keep the costs down.

I know I am always going to be behind a hot 7mm trying to shoot 30's without using a WSM, but the barrel shoots pretty tight as a 308 so tossing up moving to the dark side (open). Due to a shortage of 6mm projectiles and recent comps, the dasher barrel only got a run with 105 berger VLD's for the first time on the weekend to do load testing - fishtailing winds with pretty quick wind shifts, and I managed 3x 59's in a row, including a 59.8. It shoots well enough to be competitive.

I wonder how a straight 308 with 200's would go at the longs?

Cheers
Adrian

 

30-284 = 7.5 Swiss.

Just for reference.

 

Q-store has Berger’s in stock at the moment!!

But I think your last idea is best, find a good load with your 308 using a 200gr pill and use it for practise, lots of knowledge among the FTR guys.

I think every F-open shooter needs a 284 in their quiver, save your dollars and acquire the components for a 284 build while shooting your 308 with heavy pills.

Also don’t be afraid to use Sierras when Berger’s are in short supply. I use VLD’s in my 284 and am sitting on a stash of Hybrids which I am reserving for my SAUM.

I have an old setback 284 9tw barrel that I have recently got a load running with the 175gr Sierra, they shoot very tight with only minimal load development and at 2850fps give away very little to my VLD load which does 2815fps.

And yes a Dasher can be very competitive!! I placed 3rd in Canberra Queens last year using a Dasher (Left my 284ammo behind on day two!).
I run Hybrids at around 3030fps in mine

 

I think that the 30-284 would be ideal - using Lapua 6.5-284 brass with a small primer but - have you tried using heavier projectiles in the '08? There's no weight limit for F-class in NZ - are you stuck with 155's in Aussie??

 

A couple of years ago I did a 30-06A.I. for F-open. In 2 barrels it never shot quite to my expectations as far as accuracy goes. The BIG problem with it was that it developed doughnuts so severe that literally every time I shot it, they had to be cut out. It would shoot 210gr JLKs a t 2800 f.p.s., which is not bad. However, knowing what I know now, it would have been easier to either buy a .532 bolt or for 50.00 bucks have my .473 bolt opened up and shoot a .300WSM. Much, much better cartridge. BUT if you are bent on doing a .30-.284, do a 7mm Walker and neck it up to 30 cal. You can easily get Kiff to do a reamer for you and Whidden will make custom dies for you from the reamer print. POSSIBLY with RL-16 you could get to the mid-2800s... Now your in "worthwhile" range velocity-wise to make it work.. It would not be a WSM but it would definitely beat a .308 by a wide margin..

 

I would go with the .308 Winchester,shoot out the barrel you have,then decide.The FTR shooters do well with a total 8.25 kilogram outfit with bipod,you should do better with a good pedestal rest.Depending on your chamber,it may need the throat extending to get the best out of 200 grain projectiles.

 

Just join the masochists and shoot F-TR. We run pretty much exclusively 200 class bullets in the 308s.

I haven't seen any data, but I have a suspicion that the 30-284 won't be able to get heavy bullets up to velocities needed to be seriously competitive with the 180s in the straight 284, better than the 308s for sure, but not enough. For open just run a straight 284, it's been a proven winner.

 

There is such an animal?

(You wouldn't have a product code for that, would you now? Or a link you can post to where it's being sold?)

I'd thought the only 6.5-284 brass out there was exclusively LR primer'd stuff?

 

30-284 is very good at 1k benchrest using either the Berger 200.20X or Sierra,s new 200gn offering

You should give it a try.....

JR

 

My take, forget it or build a 300 wsm.

 

No

 

Thanks for the input guys. I know that once the cuurent barrels are burnt out there will be a 284 of some description.
In the mean time i might run some 200's from the 308... if it doenst like that, time to invest in that 7mm
Cheers
Adrian

 

No, the brass doesn't handle pressure well. I'd go with a 30-06 AI the port only needs to eject a fired round the Shilen should be able to handle that without to much drama.
Matt P

 

Yes there is. Bob Joe Smith will take all your brass, and thread it, and install a 12LV14 steel bushing, and..and....

 

I see. Custom built. No factory offered

 

I was makin a funny. 12LV14 is not a thing. I assume threaded & bushed primer pockets are not, either.

 

Never looked into it so I guess I wouldn't know. Today, who knows. Wouldn't doubt it's possible. Actually makes sense that the design could be functional. Just know that nobody offers a SRP for large cartridge cases besides the BR design for the 308.