.284 win, and RL-17

[brian923]

heres the story...

i got a mauser vz24 action and a McGowen .284 win barrel. i am wanting to build a good shooting, accurate hunting rifle, that i can also use for target shooting. just looking to squeeze all the accuracy i can, but dont need to nessisarly shoot winning F-class groups..... yet....

heres the question...

ive been reading alot of good news about the new RL-17 powders and squeezing velocitys out of loads for the .284 and its derivitives.,i.e. the 6.5-284) the problem i am having is that all the reloading data these guys are talking about are for 180 grain bullets. i am wanting to know if this would be a good choice powder for smaller 168, 150, and 140 grain .284 bullets for this cartridge. came here looking to see if you guys would have any experiance, or knowledge.

thank alot guys, brian.

 

[TonyR]

There is a 284 Win section in the 7mm Cartridge Guide on this website which includes loads for the lighter bullets:

http://www.6mmbr.com/7mm284.html#284win

There are a number of powders that give excellent results with the 284 Win case and its variations. I have the 284 Shehane and I have tested RL-17, N165, IMR7828SSC, N560 and H4831SC all of which can be tuned for excellent vertical precision.

I think you have made an excellent choice and, if your gun doesn't like RL-17, you have many other alternatives.

 

[Preacher]

I use it with 120 Ballistic Tips in my 7mm SAUMA with excellent results, so I'm sure it will serve you well in the .284... If not go right to H4350 and get to shooting tiny groups....

 

[ronemus]

I shoot molyed 162 gr bullets in a .284 and RL-17 gives me the best results of any powder I've tried. I get top velocities without compressed loads. RL-19 worked almost as well, but the loads were mildly compressed, sufficient to push the bullets back out after seating unless neck tension was kept high. I couldn't get enough powder in the case to get good velocities with either H-4350 or H-4831. Both RL-17 and RL-19 gave the most consistent results with Federal LRM primers.