284 build for hunting and target

[mecanic04]

Good day all,
I am building a .284 for dual purposes. I am a long time hunter, but relatively new to precision shooting and this is my first custom build. I’d like to use it for mid range hunting, up to 500yds, and target shooting for as far as possible. The target shooting is for fun and my own edification. I will be using Berger 180gn VLD hunt and match bullets. I would like the option of using the 195gn Elite hunter if I get drawn for any extra large game. A 1:8.5tw is sufficient to stabilize the 195gn down to 1200’ elevation, so I should be good for the areas I’d apply for. I don’t want to be cheap on the build, but I also don’t want to purchase overkill for my purposes.

I have a few questions about parts I should use: what is a good barrel length to achieve my purpose (thinking 26”), what is a good brand for the action/bolt and what is a good gunsmith to use? I apologize if I am asking dumb or open ended questions. There is just so much to learn and consider. I much appreciate any input.


Foundation- Rem 700, but open to suggestions

Barrel- Bartlein SS 1:9 #5, 6, 8 or 15, Brux SS 1:8.5 #9, 18 or 19

Muzzle brake- precision armament “Hypertap” or APA “Fat Bastard”

Action- LA, need input on brand

Trigger- Timney Elite Hunter

Stock- KRG Bravo

 

[Terry]

Good day all,
I am building a .284 for dual purposes. I am a long time hunter, but relatively new to precision shooting and this is my first custom build. I’d like to use it for mid range hunting, up to 500yds, and target shooting for as far as possible. The target shooting is for fun and my own edification. I will be using Berger 180gn VLD hunt and match bullets. I would like the option of using the 195gn Elite hunter if I get drawn for any extra large game. A 1:8.5tw is sufficient to stabilize the 195gn down to 1200’ elevation, so I should be good for the areas I’d apply for. I don’t want to be cheap on the build, but I also don’t want to purchase overkill for my purposes.

I have a few questions about parts I should use: what is a good barrel length to achieve my purpose (thinking 26”), what is a good brand for the action/bolt and what is a good gunsmith to use? I apologize if I am asking dumb or open ended questions. There is just so much to learn and consider. I much appreciate any input.


Foundation- Rem 700, but open to suggestions

Barrel- Bartlein SS 1:9 #5, 6, 8 or 15, Brux SS 1:8.5 #9, 18 or 19

Muzzle brake- precision armament “Hypertap” or APA “Fat Bastard”

Action- LA, need input on brand

Trigger- Timney Elite Hunter

Stock- KRG Bravo

The Karger Arms Viper action is a good choice. Brux and Bartlein are good choices. I use Brux. Harrel's makes a good muzzle brake for far less. A long action gives you more bullet seating flexibility. Timney are fine, TriggerTech and BixNandy too. What do you want this to weigh? Some carbon stocks are only 24-28oz.

 

[mecanic04]

The Karger Arms Viper action is a good choice. Brux and Bartlein are good choices. I use Brux. Harrel's makes a good muzzle brake for far less. A long action gives you more bullet seating flexibility. Timney are fine, TriggerTech and BixNandy too. What do you want this to weigh? Some carbon stocks are only 24-28oz.

Thanks for the reply. I am leaning towards Bartlein, but I am unable to find the contour I like in stock anywhere. Plenty of straight and heavy varmit available, though. I might have to get a straight and have it machined. Ugh. Brux is nearly a year out, so they are probably out. I looked at those 3 trigger manufacturers and liked them all, but I’m not sold on anything at the moment.
As far as the weight, I’d like it as light as possible, but not so light as to negatively effect recoil and long distance accuracy. I currently use a Bergara HMR in 308, running 13lbs total weigh. That weight isn’t outrageous for me. I suppose if I get drawn for an elk in Montana, I’ll want lighter. But for now, it will be used primarily for target, whitetails and coyotes.

 

[Terry]

I have Kauger actions and Brux Barrels in stock. I would be happy to chamber a rifle for you.

 

[Preacher]

I might have the Brux your looking for, #5 .750 muzzle, 28" finish...
$400.00 shipped.....
Have you looked into Joel Russo's Terminus action ??

 

[kyotekiller25]

I think you should also heavily consider the 180g ELDM for a true dual purpose target/hunting bullet.

I use them in a 7-300 Win Mag at 3100fps and the results have been nothing but spectacular on steel out to 1400 and coyotes/deer/elk out to 800 so far. All 1 shot DRT kills with the loudest resounding "whops" I've ever heard from a 7mm.

I tried the VLDs and they left too much to be desired on the terminal ballistics side of things on game for me. Your results may vary, but I was hardly impressed with them...

 

[Alex Wheeler]

A 284 in a sporter length barrel is better suited with the 168 class of bullet for hunting. Id do a 9 twist bartlein #3. The Berger 168hvld is a great bullet. I have killed 4 elk with it. All one shot to the lungs and done. However its explosive, I would stay away from bone. But since we are talking elk Id go with a 300 wsm running 185s over 3k fps over any 7mm. Its my favorite midrange elk round.

 

[jackieschmidt]

A #3 Bartlien taper is a great compromise between too heavy and too light. Here is one on my Mauser I recently did in 284. The length is 26 inches.

This gives you an idea what it looks like on a hunting style rifle.

 

[mecanic04]

I have Kauger actions and Brux Barrels in stock. I would be happy to chamber a rifle for you.

Sent PM

 

[kyotekiller25]

A 284 in a sporter length barrel is better suited with the 168 class of bullet for hunting. Id do a 9 twist bartlein #3. The Berger 168hvld is a great bullet. I have killed 4 elk with it. All one shot to the lungs and done. However its explosive, I would stay away from bone. But since we are talking elk Id go with a 300 wsm running 185s over 3k fps over any 7mm. Its my favorite midrange elk round.

I'd rather have a 7mm shooting 180 ELDMs at 3000-3100 any day over a 30 cal shooting 185 VLDs at 3K. 7mm spanks it ballistically in every category...Not even a comparison. Maybe if you bump that WSM up to a RUM with 210-220s at 3000+ then yes I would agree they're better than any 7mm on elk.

I've seen and been around over 200 elk killed, and killed 25 myself from 300-1150 yards. Any 7/30/33 mag does wonders when you do your job anyway.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I'd rather have a 7mm shooting 180s at 3000-3100 any day over a 30 cal shooting 185s at 3K. 7mm spanks it ballistically in every category... Maybe if you bump that WSM up to a RUM with 210-220s at 3000+ then yes I would agree they're better than any 7mm on elk.

I've seen and been around over 200 elk killed, and killed 25 myself from 300-1150 yards. Any 7/30/33 mag does wonders when you do your job anyway.

The 284 is not going to push a 180 at 3k. In a 26" barrel maybe 2700 ish. I shot my 300 vs my 7 saum on the same day at 600. 180s at 2930 vs 185s at 3050. No difference in windage and the drops were less with the 185s. Now at 1k that would have been different. But at midrange, 500-600 yards you dont really see the bc advantage yet. And with elk, Ill always go bigger. 30s and up for me. But to each his own. But the main reason I recommended what I did is how it shoots. You wont find any other combo that forgiving and accurate.

 

[kyotekiller25]

I agree with you for the most part on everything you said.

I've killed elk with quite a few 7/30/33 mags over the years and elk definitely react differently when hit with the 30/33s over the 7s. But you have to step up in case capacity to really see it.

My new favorite is a 7-300 Win Mag shooting 180g ELDMs at 3100. It's an absolute hammer. I also loved the 300 RUM with 200g ABs at 3200fps, and the 338 EDGE with 300g SMKs at 2850fps.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Agree. My absolute favorite is my 338 Lapua improved running 300s 2960 in a 26" barrel if Im taking longer shots. But that needs to be a little heavier rifle. After trying almost everything I have kind of settled on the 300 wsm for mid range and the big 338 for long range. If you only wanted one the big 30s like the 300 NMI fit the bill for something you can build kind of light and still shoot well.