I've read most of what I could find on fire form loads for the 284 shehane. I'm running too low on 4831sc to form cases. 1 person in the forums said to shoot your match load when forming. I have tried less powder than that without good sucess. That blew my primer pockets wide and expanded the base dimensions on the majority of the cases. I,m thinking of using N160 or 4350 which I have enough of. I would like come up with a foming load I can compete with and still not damage my cases. I normally shoot 180 VLDS at a match and 4831sc, 56.4. Forming I will use 168VLDS and I,m thinking 50gr of n160 or 51gr of 4350. Turned Lapua cases with a thou and a half clearance all around. I will touch to .003 jam on the 168's. Any advice?Pat
284 Shehane fireforming stout load ?
- Thread starter noload
- Start date
Re: 284 Shehane firefoming stout load ?
I shoot the 162gr Amax's at 2940fps with 56.5gr of 4831SC, (32" barrel) without case head expansion on new lapua brass in my shehane. The 168gr VLDs have a higher BC and might be a better choice. I found 55.5gr of 4831SC gave 2900fps with the 162s and both of these loads, (0.020" jump) could be used in competition as accuracy was excellent.
Like you I run a load of 56.5gr of 4831SC to drive the 180gr Berger Vlds at 2940fps for my match loads and use the 162gr Amax loads at shorter ranges (out to 600yds) to fireform the brass but still run a competitive load!
Ian
I shoot the 162gr Amax's at 2940fps with 56.5gr of 4831SC, (32" barrel) without case head expansion on new lapua brass in my shehane. The 168gr VLDs have a higher BC and might be a better choice. I found 55.5gr of 4831SC gave 2900fps with the 162s and both of these loads, (0.020" jump) could be used in competition as accuracy was excellent.
Like you I run a load of 56.5gr of 4831SC to drive the 180gr Berger Vlds at 2940fps for my match loads and use the 162gr Amax loads at shorter ranges (out to 600yds) to fireform the brass but still run a competitive load!
Ian
Re: 284 Shehane firefoming stout load ?
I use 53.0 gr. H4831sc to form my brass and to shoot same in local matches. The fireforming load of 53.0 is very accurate for a forming load and has won matches up to 500 yards. My final match load is only 3 grains up to 56.0 gr. H4831 sc. I use Berger 180gr vld's for both. My best 500 yard group was just under 1" with fireforming loads, which was in ideal conditions ,I don't waste barrel life fireforming. As with all rifles it may differ with your set up. I have not gotten to try my final load in a match yet as the year has been hectic.
I set my bullets to just kiss the lands , as apposed to jamming or jumping them and it works for me.Your rifle barrel combination may not do the same for you , but for me it works. Hope this helps John
I forgot to mention I have not lost a single case due to forming with the above mentioned load , nor have any of my primer pockets been inlarged.
I use 53.0 gr. H4831sc to form my brass and to shoot same in local matches. The fireforming load of 53.0 is very accurate for a forming load and has won matches up to 500 yards. My final match load is only 3 grains up to 56.0 gr. H4831 sc. I use Berger 180gr vld's for both. My best 500 yard group was just under 1" with fireforming loads, which was in ideal conditions ,I don't waste barrel life fireforming. As with all rifles it may differ with your set up. I have not gotten to try my final load in a match yet as the year has been hectic.
I set my bullets to just kiss the lands , as apposed to jamming or jumping them and it works for me.Your rifle barrel combination may not do the same for you , but for me it works. Hope this helps John
I forgot to mention I have not lost a single case due to forming with the above mentioned load , nor have any of my primer pockets been inlarged.
Re: 284 Shehane firefoming stout load ?
I fireform with 180 Vld's and 54.0 of 4831sc. It shoots very well with low es and SD. 2800 fps on the money. The Max or near max match load in a virgin case is too hot for the lower case volume. Hence the loose primer pockets.
On an aside, I had to load my formed cases with 54.3 to match the velocity of my fire forming loads. They both shoot the same. Of course this isn't full house velocity, it works for steel challenges at a local range.
Those are loaded just to touch the lands.
I fireform with 180 Vld's and 54.0 of 4831sc. It shoots very well with low es and SD. 2800 fps on the money. The Max or near max match load in a virgin case is too hot for the lower case volume. Hence the loose primer pockets.
On an aside, I had to load my formed cases with 54.3 to match the velocity of my fire forming loads. They both shoot the same. Of course this isn't full house velocity, it works for steel challenges at a local range.
Those are loaded just to touch the lands.
Re: 284 Shehane firefoming stout load ?
I see alot of 4831sc lovers ...any luck with the 4350 or n160 on competition load forming ? After reading your posts I might forget about saving the 4831sc.... what little I have and go with it. I did shoot a tight group fireforming..(5 shots.430") at 300yds with n160 ,50gr and 168 vlds. Not that, that happens every time. I can' take that to 800,900,1000yds. And I use a 6br for less yardage......When I had the bad case expanding experience.. It was with Norma brass, and I think not enough neck clearance, I only had ( less than .002", .001" per side) I have since turned more off giving me .003" clearance...that is probably the least I should have. I think maybe that was my problem...I will try a couple loaded close to my match load ~53gr. and see what happens. Still wanna try that 4350 stuff to. Hey thanks for the help guys, keep it coming. Pat
I see alot of 4831sc lovers ...any luck with the 4350 or n160 on competition load forming ? After reading your posts I might forget about saving the 4831sc.... what little I have and go with it. I did shoot a tight group fireforming..(5 shots.430") at 300yds with n160 ,50gr and 168 vlds. Not that, that happens every time. I can' take that to 800,900,1000yds. And I use a 6br for less yardage......When I had the bad case expanding experience.. It was with Norma brass, and I think not enough neck clearance, I only had ( less than .002", .001" per side) I have since turned more off giving me .003" clearance...that is probably the least I should have. I think maybe that was my problem...I will try a couple loaded close to my match load ~53gr. and see what happens. Still wanna try that 4350 stuff to. Hey thanks for the help guys, keep it coming. Pat
Jay Christopherson
Not An Admin
Re: 284 Shehane firefoming stout load ?
4350 is my match load, if that helps.
4350 is my match load, if that helps.
Re: 284 Shehane firefoming stout load ?
I have used both N165 and IMR7828SSC in the Shehane with the 180 VLDs and Br-2 primers. Both powders seem to be available and work well for both fire-forming and match loads. I prefer N165 for fire-forming because it is very cool burning and won't eat up the barrel as much. Accuracy is as good as it gets but other powders such as 7828SSC will give higher velocities with comparable accuracy. It took about 1.5 grains more to get the same velocity with a fully formed case versus a fire-forming case. The same loads are about 100 fps faster with the 162 A-Max. Watch your neck tension with the A-Max as the bullets are slightly smaller in diameter than the Bergers and might require a smaller bushing to avoid soft-seating.
holstil said:
I have used both N165 and IMR7828SSC in the Shehane with the 180 VLDs and Br-2 primers. Both powders seem to be available and work well for both fire-forming and match loads. I prefer N165 for fire-forming because it is very cool burning and won't eat up the barrel as much. Accuracy is as good as it gets but other powders such as 7828SSC will give higher velocities with comparable accuracy. It took about 1.5 grains more to get the same velocity with a fully formed case versus a fire-forming case. The same loads are about 100 fps faster with the 162 A-Max. Watch your neck tension with the A-Max as the bullets are slightly smaller in diameter than the Bergers and might require a smaller bushing to avoid soft-seating.
I'm on my second Kieger barrel, First one was good till 2700 rds which I though was amazing, 2nd one is at 1050 rds, Third is still a 32" blank 9tw,1.250", with a .2772" bore, Benchmark. I find it strange when I bought the range rod and 9 pc bushing set, from PTG, The largest bushing was a .2770. ...I guess that tells me that barrel has a big bore compared to most 7mm barrels. Dave says its still under max saami. Just wondering how the big bore 284s shoot compared to tighter ones. & does the average barrel get 2700 rds before it has to be put down? Pat
Pat,,,dont forget that you can FF with shotgun/pistol powders and a 1/4 sq of toilet paper, and NO bullet ,,,,cost is wayy less ,,NO bullets wasted ,,,NO bbl wear,,,I reccomend it ,,,,IMHO,,the only way to FF,,I have a cupla bbls that are dedicated to this type of FFing and they show no throat erosion after hundreds (one bbl has 1200 FF on it) of rounds,,Roger
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