284 Shehane – powder choice

[ChristoE]

Evening All


I have just bought myself a 284 Shehane and in the process of waiting for the licence to be approved (things take a bit longer in South Africa).


The rifle is a Sabatti Evo Tactical, with the 28” barrel. I have already bought all the brass (prepped them as well), and other groceries required to get going, the only outstanding ingredient remains powder. While I’m planning to shoot the Berger 184gr’s, I would really appreciate your input on what would work best out of the caliber.


From what I have read, my options are

• VV N560 (although it seems that you lose some barrel live here, a route I would prefer to miss if I can)
• VV N165
• VV N160
• Hodgdon H4831 SC
• Hodgdon H4350

With powder being the hen’s teeth they often end up becoming (when you need them most), I would prefer to buy once, buy bulk and then have a winning recipe for the remainder of the barrel life.

Seeing that I’m not really chasing speed (would be more than happy running at a speed in the region of 2840fps) and rather preferring accuracy, consistency and prolonged barrel life, I would appreciate your input on which powder to settle on?



Thank you in advance.

 

[Terry]

You forgot RL16.

 

[1shot]

And RL-23. Both work well in my Shehanes.

 

[Elwood]

And RL26.

 

[hicap40]

n555

 

[ChristoE]

I've added the extra options

 

[z987k]

N560, probably your top velocity option. RL23 and IMR4831 are right under it.

I find the RL series to be a bit more temp instable than most. 4831SC is probably your best best for the most accurate load, while still at really good velocity.

 

[1shot]

I have found that RL-26 to give tons of velocity, but would foul out my barrel before I could get 60 shot for record +sighters. It would be my "go to" for a hunting rifle, but not a competition rig. I've been shooting RL-23 for years with great results, but I'm going to try N-160 as soon as time allows.
I hope this helps,

Lloyd

 

[ChristoE]

Thanks all for the input thus far. I will give the voting a bit of time to settle as well. I reckon I have at least another month or 2 to wait for the license to be approved. So a bit of time to make up my mind. Will keep you posted of the results, once I'm eventually forced to make a choice.
Cheers

 

[piie]

Evening All


I have just bought myself a 284 Shehane and in the process of waiting for the licence to be approved (things take a bit longer in South Africa).


The rifle is a Sabatti Evo Tactical, with the 28” barrel. I have already bought all the brass (prepped them as well), and other groceries required to get going, the only outstanding ingredient remains powder. While I’m planning to shoot the Berger 184gr’s, I would really appreciate your input on what would work best out of the caliber.


From what I have read, my options are

• VV N560 (although it seems that you lose some barrel live here, a route I would prefer to miss if I can)
• VV N165
• VV N160
• Hodgdon H4831 SC
• Hodgdon H4350

With powder being the hen’s teeth they often end up becoming (when you need them most), I would prefer to buy once, buy bulk and then have a winning recipe for the remainder of the barrel life.

Seeing that I’m not really chasing speed (would be more than happy running at a speed in the region of 2840fps) and rather preferring accuracy, consistency and prolonged barrel life, I would appreciate your input on which powder to settle on?



Thank you in advance.

Your “buy bulk” idea won’t work in SA - you are allowed a maximum of 2,4kg of propellant accross all of your licenses, and 600grams per license, so you will need 4 licences that use the same propellant to get to the 2,4kg… only non-practical loop hole is to have a dedicated license and then load as much as you can, as there is no limit on the amount of loaded ammo you can possess with a dedicated ststus

 

[4Bowhunter]

If you can get it. Choose 4821sc and don’t look back. Been shooting it for years.