.284 win Freebore and neck questions

[jsimonh]

I'm not new to reloading, but I am new to the more specific numbers I see on this site when reading all the great info.

Anyways...I've got a .284 coming with a "match" chamber from Criterion for my Savage build and was wondering if you guys could explain a couple of things to me.

First, The neck is gonna be .322, I will be using WW brass but wasn't wanting to neck turn. Will this .322 be okay for that or should I neck turn anyways? Is there any benefit to turning necks if you don't have a tight neck chamber?

Second, My Free Bore is gonna be .220, I've read where .180 was pretty popular. I was planning on using the Berger 180 Hybrids, but I've also got some A-maxes that I would like to try. With a .220 FB will I be able to seat the bullets close to the lands or will I have to jump them a long ways?

Sorry for the long post, just trying to learn a little! Thanks.

 

[FroggyOne2]

First, don't be sorry for the long post, it is fine. Second, with winchester brass, your neck would be fine at .318 instead of .322, also, I would stick with the .180 freebore. My 2 cents worth.

 

[TonyR]

I have never used Winchester 284 brass and I have a tight neck chamber, but the freebore as shown on the 284 Shehane Reamer Print in the 7mm Cartridge Guide is perfect for the 180 Hybrids and works fine with the 162 A-Max. You should have 0.020 inches more freebore for the 180 VLDs.

http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/7mm/#284win

 

[Erik Cortina]

.220" freebore is ideal for the 180 Hybrids and the 162 AMAX. You will be able to Jam or Jump bullets as you please.

.322" neck sounds a little on the loose side, but it will work regardless.

 

[Nomad47]

Great questions, jsimonh. Now I've got to call Jim Briggs and ask him what I've got ordered. I think it is the same as you but I need to confirm.
When was your barrel ordered? Mine was ordered a couple days after the sale ended.

 

[jsimonh]

If you talked to him about shooting any of the heavier bullets than I'm sure you have the same chamber. I ordered mine August 2nd, I called Criterion yesterday and my barrel was cut and contoured but not chambered. I debated long and hard about switching to the 7 SAUM, but decided to stick with the 284. (for now ;D)

 

[Nomad47]

I just got off the phone with Jim Briggs at Northland. Yes, my chamber will be the same, .220" freebore and .322" neck diameter. Then I went out to the reloading bay on my motorhome and measured a couple new cases. I.D. was .282" and O.D. was .313" making a loaded round .315". I guess that is good/bad news. For the good news, I've read that you want at least .003 to .004 for accuracy and we'll be at .007. The bad news, the brass is going to get worked hard.

 

[Erik Cortina]

.007" means you will have .0035" clearance per side. That's how much your brass will expand and contract after each firing. Open your calipers to .0035" and look at it. It isn't bad, your brass will not be worked too hard, you'll be just fine.

Report back with results!

 

[Nomad47]

I will be happy to report results. But it will be a while. Barrel likely won't be done until mid December. The gun is being put together in Ohio. I will be in TX in Jan & Feb (we live in a motorhome) and I hope to get some load development done while in TX. But the serious shooting won't happen until I get back to Ohio sometime around early May.
Rayner's Range near Zanesville, OH has monthly long range matchs that I plan to compete in. Various size steel targets from 235 to 1000 yards.

 

[Erik Cortina]

I will be in TX in Jan & Feb (we live in a motorhome) and I hope to get some load development done while in TX.

If you are around the Houston area come by Bayou rifle Club the first weekend of the month and shoot some Long Range F-Class with us. Or midrange on the third weekend of the month.

If you are around San Antonio and need a place to work up some loads let me know, you can come over to my place and shoot.

 

[Cigarcop]

If you are around the Houston area come by Bayou rifle Club the first weekend of the month and shoot some Long Range F-Class with us. Or midrange on the third weekend of the month.

If you are around San Antonio and need a place to work up some loads let me know, you can come over to my place and shoot.

Thats an invitation I would not pass up ;D

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

If you are around the Houston area come by Bayou rifle Club the first weekend of the month and shoot some Long Range F-Class with us. Or midrange on the third weekend of the month.

If you are around San Antonio and need a place to work up some loads let me know, you can come over to my place and shoot.

Thats an invitation I would not pass up ;D

Erik does not hardly come shoot with us anymore, so now its actually quite pleasant... 8)

Just bustin on Cortina a little, he needs it... FWIW, I will disagree a bit on the .220 FB, I think that is a bit long with a Hybrid. Its fine with a VLD, but it puts the hybrid body/boattail junction a bit too far up the neck, at least IMO... My necks are .315 with Lapua brass, never have tried WW, so can't comment on the neck. As always, YMMV.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Mark, as you saw during the TX LR Championship, I'm giving up F-Class for rock throwing! ;D

 

[Nomad47]

Erik, that is an invitation I can't pass up. We're thinking about the Victoria area. Your thoughts on that area???

I've got a 30" Kreiger barreled 243 wssm and portable steel and I need some practice at 1000 yards. You probably know a place where I can do that.

I've never shot f class. That's prone isn't it? My neck isn't as flexible as it once was (I'm 64).

 

[Nomad47]

Mark, we may be passing thru Houston on Nov 19. Keep an eye out for this...

 

[Erik Cortina]

Erik, that is an invitation I can't pass up. We're thinking about the Victoria area. Your thoughts on that area???

I've got a 30" Kreiger barreled 243 wssm and portable steel and I need some practice at 1000 yards. You probably know a place where I can do that.

I've never shot f class. That's prone isn't it? My neck isn't as flexible as it once was (I'm 64).

Victoria is a nice town, but keep in mind that it is full of oilfield workers at this time. Make sure you call ahead and find an RV park if you need one. Last time I was in Victoria it looked like they couldn't build RV parks fast enough!

My place is about an hour drive from Victoria, TX (I live south east of San Antonio).

If you want to shoot 1,000 yards just come over to my place, I have a 1,000 yard range set up with wind flags and all, we can set up some steel targets anywhere from 300-1,000 yards. It should be fun!

 

[Erik Cortina]

I've never shot f class. That's prone isn't it? My neck isn't as flexible as it once was (I'm 64).

Yes, it's prone. Mark Walker would know more about it but I'm sure you could shoot off a bench if you needed to.

 

[Nomad47]

WOW, Erik. Your own personal 1000 yard range. That's fantastic. I've set up my steel as far as 1250 yards in Ohio (on farmer's property where I shoot groundhogs). The farmers don't mind as long as I'm also shooting groundhogs. I do all my steel and groundhog shooting from a portable bench I made. I can shoot a few rounds from the prone position, but I don't think I could do an entire f class match.