.284 win velocity w/ 180 Berger Hybrid

[jsimonh]

I'm still waiting on my barrel, but was just wondering if anyone can give me an idea as to what velocity I can expect. I've done alot of reading on the net about it, but was looking for some first hand experience.

My barrel is gonna be a 28" Criterion Bull Barrel on a Savage BVSS LA T&T by Fred at SSS. I was hoping to make use of the Retumbo and H4831sc that I have on hand. I may give RL17 a try also, but I sure like the stability of the Hodgons powders. I've also decided to use WW brass and BR2's as a starting place.

Thanks!

 

[TonyR]

I'm getting about 2850 fps in the Shehane case with H4350 and a 30 inch 1:9 Krieger. Others have told me that similar velocities can be obtained with the straight 284 using H4350. I know that there is lots of room in my case with that load.

 

[jsimonh]

Thanks for the reply. I'm sure hoping to at least hit the 2800 mark with H4831sc. I was getting good results out of my 7rm in the 2900 range. I know speed isn't everything but shooting the 180 to slow kinda kills the advantage it has over the lighter bullets.

 

[nhm16]

With a 30" 3-groove Benchmark barrel, I'm getting 2860fps with 56.3gr of H4831SC, Lapua brass, and Wolf LR. Hybrids jumped around 0.030". 57 is max in my barrel, very hard bolt lift, no faster.

 

[Nomad47]

I would like to think great minds thing alike. I am also waiting on a 28" Criterion 9 twist barrel but it is going on a Savage Target action.
And I've got 180 Hybrids and 175 SMKs waiting to be tested. I will be trying RL-17 first followed by 4000-MR.

 

[dragman]

I am shooting 175XLD's with H4350 and a CCI 250 primer and I am running at 2969 pretty consistantly.

 

[Maurice]

With a 32in Trueflite/Barnard, I get 2912fps with 180gn Hybrids over ADI2213sc (H4831sc). 57gns in Necked-up Lapua 6.5/284 brass. Bolt lift is fine, temp @ 18 cent.

As always work up to this load - it is mildly compressed (3% according to Quickload), with a .020 jump to lands.

 

[jsimonh]

Thanks for the replies guys!

I'm very interested in RL17 also, but the temp stability kinda makes me nervous. I've read where people have had inconsistent results over 90 degrees with it.

In the Berger load data that I have H1000 shows a slightly higher velocity than H4831. I have a pound of it so I might try it. With the WSM and RSAUM cases, Retumbo was head and shoulders above the rest with respect to velocity, so I'm not sure why Retumbo wouldn't provide an increase in fps over H4831. I've got some of it also, I'm just not sure where to start with it.

 

[TonyR]

Thanks for the replies guys!

I'm very interested in RL17 also, but the temp stability kinda makes me nervous. I've read where people have had inconsistent results over 90 degrees with it.

In the Berger load data that I have H1000 shows a slightly higher velocity than H4831. I have a pound of it so I might try it. With the WSM and RSAUM cases, Retumbo was head and shoulders above the rest with respect to velocity, so I'm not sure why Retumbo wouldn't provide an increase in fps over H4831. I've got some of it also, I'm just not sure where to start with it.

Retumbo is pretty far down the list in QuickLoad mainly because you can't fit enough of it into the case. Even a compressed load seems likely to have very low pressures compared to the other powders most often used and velocity suffers by comparison. If you want velocity, N560, IMR 7828SSC and H4831SC appear to be the best choices. I share your concerns about RL-17.

 

[BIGMAC]

"Retumbo is pretty far down the list in QuickLoad mainly because you can't fit enough of it into the case. Even a compressed load seems likely to have very low pressures compared to the other powders most often used and velocity suffers by comparison. If you want velocity, N560, IMR 7828SSC and H4831SC appear to be the best choices. I share your concerns about RL-17."

TonyR,
What is your starting and max load,velocity with the above powder? Thanks

 

[TonyR]

"Retumbo is pretty far down the list in QuickLoad mainly because you can't fit enough of it into the case. Even a compressed load seems likely to have very low pressures compared to the other powders most often used and velocity suffers by comparison. If you want velocity, N560, IMR 7828SSC and H4831SC appear to be the best choices. I share your concerns about RL-17."

TonyR,
What is your starting and max load,velocity with the above powder? Thanks

I've never tried it myself so I can only tell you that, according to QuikLoad, if the bullet is loaded out in the neck to a cartridge overall length of about 3.200 inches, it would take about 56.9 grains of Retumbo to get a 105% compressed load and the pressure is estimated to be on the order of 42000 psi. The case is rated at about 63000psi using the same method of pressure measurement. The velocity from a 28 inch barrel is estimated to be about 2640fps. QuickLoad estimates that 54 grains would just fill the case at this cartridge overall length. I would not recommend trying Retumbo in the 284 Win case because there are much better alternatives and low pressure loads of slow powders like Retumbo are reportedly dangerous.

 

[dragman]

I have to get my papers out I have some test loads with N560 that were over 3100 with the 175bergers. it just wasn't as consistantly accurate for me as the H4350 in my gun.

 

[TonyR]

I have to get my papers out I have some test loads with N560 that were over 3100 with the 175bergers. it just wasn't as consistantly accurate for me as the H4350 in my gun.

I have had the best vertical consistency with H4350 but Erik Cortina has done very well with N560 in his 284. Maybe he will weigh in on this question.

 

[Erik Cortina]

I have to get my papers out I have some test loads with N560 that were over 3100 with the 175bergers. it just wasn't as consistantly accurate for me as the H4350 in my gun.

I have had the best vertical consistency with H4350 but Erik Cortina has done very well with N560 in his 284. Maybe he will weigh in on this question.

I was using it in a 284 Shehane, I have no experience with it in a 284... yet! ;D

I recently had a 284 Win. built and I am shooting 162 gr. AMAX with N550, accuracy is extremely good. During testing I shot a 1/4 inch group at 250 yards and a 1 inch group at 500. 1000 yard vertical so far has been 4 1/2" for 10 shots in testing. ES in single digits running 2975 fps. from a 31" Krieger 5R barrel.

 

[jsimonh]

Thanks for the info on the Retumbo, it sure shed some light on it for me. The extra capacity in the Shehane was appealing to me just for the extra fps, but I just couldn't justify the extra cost for intial set-up. I loaded some cases last night with 54, 54.5, and 55 grains of H4831sc. I'm still waiting on the barrel, but I'll be ready when it gets here!

 

[jsimonh]

I just got word that my barrel will be here on Thursday. Hard to explain how excited I am!
Anyways, after all the great info shared here I'm hoping someone can give me a starting place for H4350 an Reloader 17. I went ahead and picked up a pound of each to try. From looking through old post it looks like 52 grains may be in the ballpark for both. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Nomad47]

That's great news, jsimonh. I don't expect my barrel (and a twin of yours) for another month or two. You can bet I will be anxious to see what loads work well for you.
I plan on starting with 49 grains of RL-17 and working up to 52.5 in half grain increments. I have determined this from reading reports and using QuickLoad calcs. I will also be trying RL-22 and 4000-MR.

 

[jsimonh]

Thanks for the starting place with rl17. I'll definatly let you know how she shoots. I should be able to do a lot of shooting on Saturday but unfortunately I wont have a chrono for this session. I'll just try and narrow down the loads by group size.

 

[Romulus]

I'm getting 2815 fps w/ 4831sc. Shooting over the chrono you could see me running out of barrel and I have a 30" Rock. Shot at a mile yesterday and saw no vertical troubles at all, but my ES number isn't BR quality. I'm going to sort my brass well and do some final ES evaluations before switching powders.

I know it sounds crazy but my smith gave me the gun with an H1000 load that was 2960+ IIRC. Hard on brass but accurate.

 

[KT]

I'm running my .284 at 2830 to 2850 w 180 hybrids. I could run it a little faster, but then it starts to destroy brass. I'm running a 30 inch bartlien.