.284 Winchester Reamer Question(s).....

[brxbrad]

I need experienced opinions please. The plan:
Straight Winchester .284 using Bartlein Barrel 7mm 5R x 32" Finished, .277/.284 Bore/Groove x 1-9 Twist - Taper Barrel already ordered and on its way.
I will be using Lapua 6.5-284 brass necked up using the K&M 7mm expander mandrel.
Load development will be done using H4350 and Tula LRM primers.
Question:
Maybe this is asking too much but......I want to be able to use 180grain VLD's, Hybrid's or Sierra MK's.
From what I've read, some say free bore for .190 for VLD's and .210-.220 for Hybrids and not much info on Sierra's.
I'm thinking .210.....
What free bore will work the best overall?
Please, I need experienced Opinions......

 

[TonyR]

0.220 inch free-bore will work for the Berger VLDs and Hybrids. The bearing surface of the longest VLDs has been 0.040 longer than the shortest Hybrids I've measured using a JB Bearing Surface Comparator which has been very consistent and repeatable. Plus I jammed the VLDs 0.015 inches and jump the Hybrids by about the same amount. But I never had any problem shooting the Hybrids from a VLD chamber. I have never measured any of the Sierra 180SMKs so I can't comment on that.

 

[lawrence97]

.210 is good. I run a .207 on my .313 neck with 180 hybrids because that's what my gunsmith had. PT&G will most likely recommend a .188 freebore which would allow you to use 162 amax.

With .207 and hybrids. I am definitely pAst the donut area and still have room in case to seat further out when erosion sets in!

 

[Keith Glasscock]

Call Dave Kiff. Do yourself a huge favor - he has info like nobody else on this subject. He cut me a 284 reamer with a .218 freebore.

 

[yukonal]

Mine has a .197 freebore and the 180 VLD sits w/the base of the bearing surface above the neck/shoulder junction. Keep it simple and order a .200 freebore with a .318 neck.

 

[brxbrad]

Would that be..
Dave Kiff
PACIFIC TOOL
598 Avenue C
White City, OR 97503
(541)826-5808
Here is where I'm at......
(This was sent to me as a sugestion by another member)

Thanks lawrence97 as I'm trying to consider wear and adjusting against it....

 

[normmatzen]

Ditto on Dave Kiff!

Let him do his magic, just tell him what cases you will use and what bullets!

He is doing his magic as we speak on my 284-Lapua for my latest 1000yd BR gun.

 

[dragman]

Mine is .188 and I have had no problems with, 175XLD's, 180VLD's, and Hybrids.

 

[brxbrad]

Thanks for the great advice. He wont be in till Monday the 30th will call him then.

Brad

 

[Cakes]

Brad-
++ on the .188. That is what Dave recommended for my application in a .284. Had a reamer made for Lapua brass/.188 & .315 neck. Have three barrels and all shoot very well with 162 a-max's - 180 hybrids mostly @ 1K. All my loads sit above the donut so I don't mess with that problem.Good Luck, Eric in DL

 

[Davemc]

0.220 inch free-bore will work for the Berger VLDs and Hybrids. The bearing surface of the longest VLDs has been 0.040 longer than the shortest Hybrids I've measured using a JB Bearing Surface Comparator which has been very consistent and repeatable. Plus I jammed the VLDs 0.015 inches and jump the Hybrids by about the same amount. But I never had any problem shooting the Hybrids from a VLD chamber. I have never measured any of the Sierra 180SMKs so I can't comment on that.

+1 on the 220 freebore - works with every projectile I have tried - if you want to jump the hybrid you may be left in the donut area if you go much shorter.

 

[arizonajake]

Last year, after speaking with Dave Kiff, I ordered a .284 match reamer from him and had a Shilen barrel chambered for my Winchester M-70 (long action) long range hunting rifle. The rifle produces 1-1/4 inch groups at 300 meters using weight-sorted and prepped Winchester brass, Wolf Russian LR primers, H4831 powder and Berger 168 gr VLD bullets seated .040" from the rifling. Muzzle velocity averages 2940 fps.

 

[dave kiff]

There are many freebore lengths , I get dummy rounds in every week for this set up , they vary from .091 out to .275 and every place in between .They are seated that way for many reasons . Now for the folks needing a little help deciding , I have picked four basic lengths to work from . First is for the conservative shooter that wants long barrel life but at the same time be very competitive with a multiple of bullets with one on the lighter side. The .175 freebore is best for that , for the hand loader that chooses to load 162 and above and wants barrel life then .188 works great . You can burn into the sweet spot and use the heavies . The touchy freebore is the .200 , I will grind a reamer in that length if the customer is not sure because its a shooter and performs with multiple bullet's right out of the Smiths Lathe . Its ground for heavy bullets but conservative . I do deviate from it if my customer wants barrel life but still seat it out a bit , I will make the freebore a custom length depending on what I detect seating length should be as I discus the project with them . The length could be anywhere from .197 to .218 depending on the discussion . Now the .233 freebore is for the heavies and will also be the conservative start point for the 190 grain bullets . I always say if you want the best throat design always send in a dummy round . That way its kinda like Burger King , you have it your way. Thanks Dave

 

[brxbrad]

Dave,
Thanks for the general rundown concerning my reamer questions. During this process one the forum members offered to sell me a reamer you designed and Pacific Tool is in the process of filling his order. Knowing what I'm trying to achieve, Please look at the attached print for your opinion.

Thanks
Brad

 

[dave kiff]

Brad , that is a reamer that will serve you well . It is one that I design for a customer that wants to be seated just above the neck and shoulder junction to touch or have a conservative throat with a .015 jump . Either way its a 180 Berger type throat . Thanks Dave

 

[coreydelong]

Dave,

Thanks for the info and the .284 reamer print you sent me. Reamer will be ordered shortly.

Thanks,
Corey DeLong