284 shehane barrel twist?

[desert shooter]

I am thinking about gathering parts for a 284 shehane build and need some help. What is the best twist rate for 175-180 grain bullets I have read 1:9 is what is needed and then other posts have stated 1:8.5. I was wandering what works best for those that shoot a 284 shehane. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Kevin

 

[Steve Blair]

My Shehane shoots very well with a 9" twist. I've shot 175 XLD, 180 VLD and 180 Hybrids with good results. The 180 Hybrids have been fired at 38° F and produced fine accuracy. The same applies to my .284 Win rifle.

Berger's 180 Hybrid, the longest of the three, has a 1.45 stability factor at 2800 fps. I shoot them at ~2950, where the factor increases to 1.477. My experience provides no reason for a tighter twist. Both rifles have cut-rifled barrels with true 9" twist. If the twist was much slower, say 9.5", stability would be marginal. A tighter twist like 8.5" would probably not affect accuracy. I have a 10" twist .308 Win that shoots 155.5 Berger FULLBORE bullets extremely well with a stability factor over 2.0.

 

[desert shooter]

Thank you Steve, I do not have any experience with either of those calibers and all info helps. I intend to use the rifle for 1000 yrd competition. From my what I have read ,the shehane gives a little more advantage over the straight 284 at 1000 yards. Since you shoot both, what is your opinion.
Thanks again , Kevin

 

[Steve Blair]

The ~3 grains extra the Shehane provides makes it a little easier to hit higher barrel nodes without too much pressure. That said, David Gosnell beat me in the Arizona Palma Championship with a straight .284 against my Shehane. The .284 Win did not seem to handicap David.

The Shehane is bit of a pain in that it must be fire formed to realize the advantage. Fire forming loads can be very accurate and I would not hesitate to shoot them at the club level. Dies are more expensive and there is a very limited selection other than custom dies. Either would be a good choice with a small performance edge to the Shehane and ease and cost going to the Winchester.

 

[1967spud]

look here for loads of shehane advice..

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6EB7883DC094122C