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284 win help

H4350 with 180 hybrids. Groupings at 500 are decent. But getting inconsistent velocities. Using Labradar. Virgin brass

Same load was 2835 to 2845 during several Powder tests. Then today it was 2775. nothing changed. Temp was within 2F of previous sessions

Just seems odd. ES sucks. 100 rds down barrel now. if anything it should speed up not slow down right?

At what point do you switch and try something new?
 
My new barrel slowed down also. Once you get the velocity back up, it'll likely settle down.

IIRC, you were seeing really high velocities for the charge. I'd recommended working toward 51+ grains until you find the node again.
 
My new barrel slowed down also. Once you get the velocity back up, it'll likely settle down.

IIRC, you were seeing really high velocities for the charge. I'd recommended working toward 51+ grains until you find the node again.
Yes I was. Dropped charge it was normal velocity range. Now it's slower.

So that's why I don't know. It's shooting ok, but feel like I'm chasing my tail. it'll still be competitive I think but I want it dialed in best it can get
 
Before I would start changing powder I would look at getting a few more rounds down the barrel and then try some fire formed brass. Your load will change from virgin brass to fire formed brass.

H4350 has been the proven powder in the .284 for the last several years. 4831sc is good too but I would stay with H4350.

I don't ever start load development till I have at least a minimum of 100 rounds on the barrel.

The crono is a great tool but it is not the end all be all. Use the speed to make sure you stay in your proven node and don't worry so much about the ES. Let the target tell you what works.
 
I wouldn't start any serious load work up until after 150ish rds or when velocities stabilize.

You also mention virgin brass. I would not expect any serious numbers until the brass has at least 1 or 2 firings and has completely formed to your chamber.

As for the speeding up or slowing down and getting high ES, what's your ES?
I wouldn't get wrapped around the idea of Low ES being a requirement for accuracy. It's nice if it is low and gives more confidence but if the rifle is shooting accurately and is consistent in its performance at your intended distance then why try to squeeze low ES out of it.

When I was using h4350 my ES was always lower (single digit) when compared to h4831sc (20-50fps). For me the scores and groups where the same and my choice of powder became h4831sc due to availability.
 
I'll just plan on shooting these one more time in match to get 2x fired. Then tweak load to get it dialed in. Brass is virgin. So now it is 1x fired

ES now is high 20s to low 30s.

Same charge was 2824 one day, 2807 the next time out, 2810, then 2779 today. That's what is odd.

My 308 hammer load is within couple fps with single digit ES and it shoots lights out
 
That's interesting and frustrating huh? I had a dandy load start doing that crap. I switched primers and went back to a dandy. I'm not talking about losing velocity, but all the sudden having abnormal es, sds
 
My new barrel slowed down also. Once you get the velocity back up, it'll likely settle down.

IIRC, you were seeing really high velocities for the charge. I'd recommended working toward 51+ grains until you find the node again.
50.1gr load had ES 6 and avg velocity 2776. 49.9 was 2775 with ES 19. So maybe it is trying to start getting into the node. I'll test more with 1x fired brass and see what happens
 
I'll just plan on shooting these one more time in match to get 2x fired. Then tweak load to get it dialed in. Brass is virgin. So now it is 1x fired

ES now is high 20s to low 30s.

Same charge was 2824 one day, 2807 the next time out, 2810, then 2779 today. That's what is odd.

My 308 hammer load is within couple fps with single digit ES and it shoots lights out
Make sure ur lab radar is lined up straight, it will show different velocities if not lined up properly each time.
 
I am not sure if you have tried different primers, but the ES on my 284 went from the high 20's to low single digits with H4350 when I switched from CCI BR to F210M. I am shooting 180 hybrids and running anywhere between 51.6 grains to 52.4 in my rifle depending on temps.
 
When your talking about virgin brass, bare in mind that the current national F-open, plus a national championship was shoot using mostly virgin Norma brass..
 
So took it back out today to test since barrel "slowed" down. Don't know if my bag is too full or if load just sucks. But another session with no sense of direction. Only positive is 51.4 showed close to the velocity range most try to be at with this combo.
 
Ansdrew looks like 51.4and 51.7 are about the same.

Are those 1 inch squares?

Also looks to me like vertical is starting to shrink after 51.7
 
I would shoot the load in the middle of the 51.4 and 51.7.

Think of it like this 1.5 inch at 500 yards is 3 inches at 1K . i know accuracy isnt linear but you get the picture

Your wasting barrel life man.
 
How cold was it while you were testing? The chrono numbers could be explained by ignition problems. Considering the ES, it seems to shoot well.

Also, what were the aim points for each group? That plays into finding the load for 1k as well.
 
How cold was it while you were testing? The chrono numbers could be explained by ignition problems. Considering the ES, it seems to shoot well.

Also, what were the aim points for each group? That plays into finding the load for 1k as well.
70 degrees. Other testing was done around 75 degrees and 70 degrees.

POA was big red centers and 51.4 and 51.7 I used the edge of the thick black line as my POA
 

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