284 Improved - is it worth it?

[Terry]

I tried RL-26 and got great accuracy with lots of velocity as well. The problem was, I could never get 60 record shots without dropping a bunch of points in the 3rd match. I’m a sling/coat shooter and shoot as fast as conditions and pit pullers will allow. RL-23 gave me everything RL-26 did but burns much cleaner in my system.
I hope this helps,

Lloyd

Might be great for BR. With only 5-10 shots needed.

 

[Ackley Kid]

Another boon for the improved is you can fireform at mid range matches . Accuracy and vertical are very good with right bullet and powder recipe. Generally 54.0 4831sc works well in longer f class barrels . I bet if you ask around most that are winning are not running full blast 2920-2950 . A lot prefer the slower nodes as it is not as peaky , tunes up and stays there . 2760-2860 is a good place to be depending on bullet choice , and brass lasts a long time and vertical is very tight . As Norm has stated still have to make a wind call ..... takes a lot of velocity to fix a bad call !

 

[Scott Harris]

All of the velocity getting powders mentioned, work in the improved versions not just straight 284's.

IMO the history of magnums agging ability in long range Fclass doesn't seem to be as good as the 284 and the improved versions. And it could be a numbers game as well, a lot more folks shooting the 284/improved.

It doesn't matter what a guy/gal shoots, you still gotta make a wind call.

We have used the 284 Shehane for almost 10 years now. It's pretty much a 284 WIN with an extra 75 fps. 284 nodes are 2750-2780 and 2820-2850. Shehane nodes are 2820-2850, 2870-2890 and 2910-2940. Competition barrel life is around 1600....a little less than a 284 WIN but a lot more than a magnum. Fireforming...what's that? A 284 WIN and 284 Shehane are so similar, you can't see the difference with the naked eye.

 

[Steve Blair]

Another boon for the improved is you can fireform at mid range matches . Accuracy and vertical are very good with right bullet and powder recipe. Generally 54.0 4831sc works well in longer f class barrels . I bet if you ask around most that are winning are not running full blast 2920-2950 . A lot prefer the slower nodes as it is not as peaky , tunes up and stays there . 2760-2860 is a good place to be depending on bullet choice , and brass lasts a long time and vertical is very tight . As Norm has stated still have to make a wind call ..... takes a lot of velocity to fix a bad call !

I shot my 32" Shehane with H4831 SC @ ~2940 and won CA State LR, placed top ten at US and SW Nationals. That load was good for about fifteen firings on brass and was not maximum. As Scott noted above, ~1600-1700 round barrel life. No, velocity does not fix a bad wind call. But, over the long run, it provides a small advantage that is sometimes enough to win. Every little bit helps.

 

[300SALRH]

Thanks gents. Learning a lot. Getting into the swing of things and learning includes wind reading for me. Difficult to learn windcalls if someone shoots.

 

[1shot]

We have used the 284 Shehane for almost 10 years now. It's pretty much a 284 WIN with an extra 75 fps. 284 nodes are 2750-2780 and 2820-2850. Shehane nodes are 2820-2850, 2870-2890 and 2910-2940. Competition barrel life is around 1600....a little less than a 284 WIN but a lot more than a magnum. Fireforming...what's that? A 284 WIN and 284 Shehane are so similar, you can't see the difference with the naked eye.

.010"

Lloyd

 

[1shot]

I shot my 32" Shehane with H4831 SC @ ~2940 and won CA State LR, placed top ten at US and SW Nationals. That load was good for about fifteen firings on brass and was not maximum. As Scott noted above, ~1600-1700 round barrel life. No, velocity does not fix a bad wind call. But, over the long run, it provides a small advantage that is sometimes enough to win. Every little bit helps.

I won the optics class at the 2019 SWBN with pointed 183 SMK's at 2,930 fps. with my Shehane. One of my scorers commented that several of my 10's would have been 9's or worse with his rifle.
I hope this helps,

Lloyd

 

[Rope2horns]

We have used the 284 Shehane for almost 10 years now. It's pretty much a 284 WIN with an extra 75 fps. 284 nodes are 2750-2780 and 2820-2850. Shehane nodes are 2820-2850, 2870-2890 and 2910-2940. Competition barrel life is around 1600....a little less than a 284 WIN but a lot more than a magnum. Fireforming...what's that? A 284 WIN and 284 Shehane are so similar, you can't see the difference with the naked eye.

I agree 100% fireforming with the right load and seating depth can be scary accurate with the Shehane.

I shot my 32" Shehane with H4831 SC @ ~2940 and won CA State LR, placed top ten at US and SW Nationals. That load was good for about fifteen firings on brass and was not maximum. As Scott noted above, ~1600-1700 round barrel life. No, velocity does not fix a bad wind call. But, over the long run, it provides a small advantage that is sometimes enough to win. Every little bit helps.

Actually Steve is the very first guy that gave me advice on reamer prints and reloading for the Shehane via PM's here. I still have them in my inbox.

The Shehane has been very good to me. Typically if I have a bad day it's because I sucked not because I shoot a improved version of the 284.

Speaking of the SWN's it went something like this in the top ten...at least 4 were straight 284's (1st thru 3rd for sure) 3 Shehanes a 30cal magnum a 6.5CM and one I don't know. Pretty fair testament for the straight 284 and the improved versions IMO.

 

[Ackley Kid]

I was mearly pointing out that you don’t HAVE to run at the top end ... some barrels will tune there and others not so much . I’ve shot both straight and improved variants . Seem to get better brass life on the improved . As Norm has indicated Steve Blair is a wealth of information and helped me out on 300WSM print as well . Thanks again ! Just sharing that you don’t need to FILLER UP to win if that’s your reasoning for going to the improved cases . I’ve swapped PMs with Scott as well asking for advice on the Shehane, As he has indicated they have many years experience with it . I’ve shot this cartridge for 5 years and believe it has suttle advantages over the straight .

 

[Sandstorm]

This is the kind of stuff I like readin on this forum...thanks fellas.
John

 

[markgrabowski]

I am running the 7mm SS "Sherman Short" mag. I am running Berger 180 Hybrids at a "comfortable" 2905f.p.s. In addition to the Sherman, I have 2 .300WSMs. One shoots the 230 Hybrids and the other shoots the 200-20Xs.

What’s the brass supply look like with those Sherman’s?

 

[rardoin]

What’s the brass supply look like with those Sherman’s?

ADG makes it for Rich Sherman with proper headstamp and available through Sherman Wildcat Cartridges. Alternatively it can be made from 7 SAUM brass.

 

[JeffT]

So what exactly is a Sherman short?

 

[rardoin]

So what exactly is a Sherman short?

It is a RSAUM case, body a little shorter by setting the shoulder back, case taper blown out a little, shoulder angle 40deg and a longer neck than the parent case. Picture a 6BR all grown up.

https://shermanwildcatcartridges.com/about-ss-cartridges

 

[JeffT]

It is a RSAUM case, body a little shorter by setting the shoulder back, case taper blown out a little, shoulder angle 40deg and a longer neck than the parent case. Picture a 6BR all grown up.

https://shermanwildcatcartridges.com/about-ss-cartridges

Thanks!
I’ll check it out