7mm-08 or .284 Win for hunting rifle

[cjames]

I am rebarreling a 700 308 Win that's a BIG TURD! I have a Krieger 5.5 contour 7mm 1 in 9 twist on the way that I was thinking of chambering in 7mm-08. Then I started thinking 7mm-08 AI, But I don't really want to fire from cases so that's out. This morning I got out of bed and thought about .284 Win. I don't know much about the round. I am wanting the rifle to be as accurate that it can be, but still use the magazine. Can this round be used effectively at 2.800 length? I know some match rifles are being chambered for the .284 Win. But I don't want that long of a throat, just a SAAMI spec chamber. Do any of you have any experience with this round in a hunting rifle as far as accuracy goes with a 150 gr hunting type bullet? And I have heard with this case you have to change out the follower to feed reliable. And Would I need to extend my magazine to be effective with 150 - 160 gr bullets? I don't know if that is true or not. And I'm still undecided 7mm-08 or .284 Win. I would like your input.

 

[jpretle]

Don't know what kind of hunting you plan on, but for me, it would be a 7-08

 

[cjames]

I'll be hunting Deer and Hogs.
Thanks.

 

[flatlander]

In a short action, I'd go with the 7mm-08. To get the potential out of the 284's larger case, you've got to use it in a long action that's got a long enough magazine to allow for seating bullets out to where they don't intrude so far into the case that it uses up that extra case capacity.

 

[JLT]

Availability of brass is also a consideration. Unless you can find a stash of old Winchester .284 brass, you'll be fussing with 6.5-.284 brass. I'd opt for a 7mm-08 for a hunting rifle. Plenty of factory ammo available and the components are ready to go.

 

[Judd]

Availability of brass is also a consideration. Unless you can find a stash of old Winchester .284 brass, you'll be fussing with 6.5-.284 brass. I'd opt for a 7mm-08 for a hunting rifle. Plenty of factory ammo available and the components are ready to go.

Bullets.com had Norma make some pretty decent 284 brass so you do have an option over the 6.5-284. My initial measurements indicate it's better brass than the Lapua (words I never thought I would ever utter).

Having said that, I agree with you on the 7-08 and especially in a short action.

 

[284winner]

In a short action, I'd go with the 7mm-08. To get the potential out of the 284's larger case, you've got to use it in a long action that's got a long enough magazine to allow for seating bullets out to where they don't intrude so far into the case that it uses up that extra case capacity.

I agree to get the most out of a 284 is to use a LA. In a SA the 284 still outperforms the 08 by a longshot. Still I would have to agree that the 08 is a great hunting round and probably is an easier round to deal with

 

[JLT]

Bullets.com had Norma make some pretty decent 284 brass so you do have an option over the 6.5-284. My initial measurements indicate it's better brass than the Lapua (words I never thought I would ever utter).

Having said that, I agree with you on the 7-08 and especially in a short action.

Thanks for the education. I was unaware of the Norma run for Bullets.com.

 

[Preacher]

Use what you have.
I have built LOTS of 284's on XP-100 action and never wished it was a longer action....
Throat it for the bullet you want and cut a groove on the side of a SA receiver and never look back..
Plus 1 for the new Norma 284 brass......

 

[msinc]

I have never messed with the 284...I never really felt the need. I hunt a lot with the 7mm-08, Deer, boar, and black bear. It is one of the most efficient cartridges out there, it's a killer and it always gets the job done. Brass is plentiful and cheap. I use Lake City LR picked up off the range for mine. You aint picking 284 up no where.
One thing to consider, the 700 short action is a pain to load from the top. There are many bottom metals available with detachable magazines that positively solve this problem and they are not too expensive either. I don't know if you can do this easily with the 284 in a short action.
One other thing to maybe think about...this one is out there, but still...if you ever want to rechamber the barrel to a 280 or 280AI you can do it if it was a 7mm-08. Wont be able to with the 284. May never want to, I didn't think I ever would, but I did.

 

[Tommie]

Another vote for the 7mm-08

 

[cjames]

Thanks for all the responses. I think I'll stay with the 7mm-08, and I do already have brass and dies.

 

[Brians356]

Put it this way, you can't possibly go wrong with the 7mm-08. Having the dies and brass is icing on the cake.
-

 

[XTR]

when i thought this over a few yrs back i decided 7-08.

mine is throated long, seated to 2.9 OAL (still fits in AI mags w/o the plate or in a Wyatts box) I get a comfortable 2900FPS with 140s.

 

[perry42]

Go with the 7-08.

perry42

 

[tmx199]

My favorite hunting cartridge 7mm -08AI fire forming was easy but you said you didn't want to fire form so go with the 7mm-08 Lapua brass is available. Good luck with your choice!

 

[billlarson]

the old adage comes to mind "Better to have it and not need it,than need it and not have it".... the extra HP the 284 gives is impressive.But if you have to feed outa a short magazine you are handcuffing the cartridge....
bill

 

[Webster]

I am rebarreling a 700 308 Win that's a BIG TURD! I have a Krieger 5.5 contour 7mm 1 in 9 twist on the way that I was thinking of chambering in 7mm-08. Then I started thinking 7mm-08 AI, But I don't really want to fire from cases so that's out. This morning I got out of bed and thought about .284 Win. I don't know much about the round. I am wanting the rifle to be as accurate that it can be, but still use the magazine. Can this round be used effectively at 2.800 length? I know some match rifles are being chambered for the .284 Win. But I don't want that long of a throat, just a SAAMI spec chamber. Do any of you have any experience with this round in a hunting rifle as far as accuracy goes with a 150 gr hunting type bullet? And I have heard with this case you have to change out the follower to feed reliable. And Would I need to extend my magazine to be effective with 150 - 160 gr bullets? I don't know if that is true or not. And I'm still undecided 7mm-08 or .284 Win. I would like your input.

All three shoot a 150 gr bullet at about 2850 fps. Keep it simple.

 

[7887mm08]

Been shooting the 7mm-08 since 1984.I now have 3 and I have never felt undergunned. 139 Hornady sp is the perfect weight and profile for this guy.

 

[284winner]

the old adage comes to mind "Better to have it and not need it,than need it and not have it".... the extra HP the 284 gives is impressive.But if you have to feed outa a short magazine you are handcuffing the cartridge....
bill

Sometimes you just need to be able to slip the handcuffs and carry on. The 284 is slightly handicapped for sure in a short action but with RL 17 and 162-168s, I can easily achieve 3000 fps without pressure issues and get very good accuracy in a 2.90 oal. Can't do everything but handloaded can and does rival 90% of factory 7mm Rem mag ammo. Again, it's only a .284 caliber but a pretty impressive one for a short cartridge and NOT considered a magnum.