284 Winchester OAL Question

[Damfino]

Having a straight 284 Winchester barrel chambered and my gunsmith wants 3 dummy rounds for throating, so what is a good/typical OAL with the Berger 180 grain hybrids and Lapua brass for LR F-class? I am using a F-class Panda, so magazine length does not apply here. I understand bullet length may vary and I know the Berger manual says 2.800", just looking for other suggestions/advice. Thanks!

 

[geordiesniper]

Seat your bullet to ensure that the base of the bullet bearing surface is above the neck/shoulder junction of the brass case. This is to make sure the bearing surface is in front of the doughnut that could form. My current loaded rounds are at 3.303 with the 180gr Berger Hybrid, but you could set that back a little.

 

[284winner]

Having a straight 284 Winchester barrel chambered and my gunsmith wants 3 dummy rounds for throating, so what is a good/typical OAL with the Berger 180 grain hybrids and Lapua brass for LR F-class? I am using a F-class Panda, so magazine length does not apply here. I understand bullet length may vary and I know the Berger manual says 2.800", just looking for other suggestions/advice. Thanks!

If your plan is to run 180 vlds, you'll want a minimum freebore of .200. If your gunsmith has a throater, he can adjust from that point if needed. Lots of guys go much longer and some around .180. I have a .210 in one of my 284s. I use the berger 180s loaded at 3.150 with a max jump of .030. Most of my loads are just about touching the lands. If I use the gun for hunting, I jump the bullet .030. Gives good accuracy with no issues of jammed bullets in the rifling. My next 284 build will have a .090 freebore for 162s. I'd say shoot it at a starting point recommended by your gunsmith and go from there.

 

[Damfino]

Good information. Thanks.