284 for LR

[kell2784]

I realize that the 6.5-284 is a staple among LR rifle competitions, but I'm a little curious about the unaltered .284? I've read on another forum that the Aussy national team is using the .284 this year? Does this cartridge lack the down range reach, or is still accurate past 600 yds?
Another thing that greatly attracted me was the readily available high quality brass.

 

[dsbw]

I'm about to switch from 7x57 wildcat to straight .284, basically due to quality Lapua brass availability, standard chamber reamers/dies availability, no fire form. Rest of our team have been shooting .284 for three three years, very happy, no problem out at 1000 yards with 168 gr's, accuracy quite impressive.

For those out there using the .284, could you help with throat length for 168gr's to 180gr's?

 

[Forum Boss]

We are seeing a trend, in various calibers, to having longer throats with the bullets hung out further in the case. I think a practical limitation with a .284 is about .160" of bearing surface,BS) in the neck,with the bullet seated as far into the rifling as accuracy dictates), but I know there are others who would pick a different number,as little as .120" BS, or as much as one bullet diameter).

The other factor to keep in mind is throat erosion. It is not unusual to "chase the lands" up to .090" during the useful life of the barrel. Therefore, you'd want to set your start point for the throat so that at least .250" of BS is in the neck, IF you anticipate chasing the throat a lot. It's hard to predict how much erosion you'll get and how rapidly it will occur. In my 6BR I've had less than .004" of erosion in 600 rounds. But then I use no petroleum-based solvents/oils, no abrasives, and I don't brush.

I know this doesn't give you a good answer, but I would create a dummy round with .250" of bearing surface in the neck,of the shortest bullet I'd plan to shoot) and tell the reamer maker that that position should be .015" into lands,or wherever you think the bullet will shoot best). That should give you ample ability to chase the lands and still maximize the case capacity. If I didn't care much about barrel life, or was willing to have the barrel set back after 700-800 rounds, I'd probably set up the dummy so .200" of bearing surface was in the neck.

 

[Austin]

some people are switching from 6.5x284 back to 284 because the availability of better and heaver bullets by Sierra and Berger. 168gr and 175gr from sierra and 168gr and 180gr from breger.

 

[Inspector]

Hello, just starting to fool with mine. It's so dang cold up here most of the time but with global warming we actually got up above freezing today and I got the last of 3'n'clean through on the new barrel. When I ordered the reamer from Dave Kiff, he asked what bullet I was going to use and I told him 175 SMK's and I believe he grinds the throat length to suit. Rough visual comparison sees the back of the shank just at the shoulder/neck junction with the back of the boat tail at the body/shoulder point. This measures to about .015" out of the lands,gotta start somewhere) so I have enough to chase the throat. To early to really tell much but so far but the first shot on a clean barrel was an inch low and right of the next 2 touching for all three 3 and cleans. Can't wait to get more shots in a string. I'll do a couple of five and cleans then get going on a match load.
Cheers, Glen

 

[dsbw]

Thanks guys, sensible replies. Got a reamer,Kiff), which is .120", will probably go wit it. Current experience amongst fellow shooters suggest 175/180 probably not optimal,speed, not stable etc.), rather 168. Have to say that we all shoot 1 in 10, waiting for Bartlein 1 in 9's.

Who could help me with expected barrel life for .284? Local knowledge suggests max 2000 shots, but record keeping is a bit unreliable with current shooters here.

 

[M700]

Contemplating the .284? Good choice. Read more about it here:

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek053.html

 

[kell2784]

Thanks for the article M700. Interesting read on his style and approach, especially on barrel cleaning data.
Since the .284 is my first,budget) rifle build, I also appreciate the barrel life factor. After a couple more builds I'll probably move over to the 6.5-284 and keep lining the barrel makers pockets.

 

[FFEMT]

Hi, one of the chambers I'm having built for my rifle will be the .284 Winchester. You have peaked my curiosity here, I have not been able to find Lapua brass in straight .284 caliber and bought extra 6.5 x 284 to neck up. My questions...Is Lapua making .284 brass and if so, where is it available from??? By the way, I finally received my Bat,MB 1.4 Octagon, 10 month waite) action last week and it should be at McMillan as we speak for inletting. From there it visits the smith and I hope to take possession of the completed rifle and all barrels sometime next month. Anticipation is killing me.....FIRST BENCH QUALITY GUN.

 

[dochoc]

FFEMT

As far as I know the only way with Lapua brass is to neck up 6.5-284.Its what I do.Would be nice if they made some .284W Lapua.

 

[FFEMT]

Thanx Doc, I guess it was good that I bought extra 6.5 x 284...Bob.