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30cal and 7mm choices with .473bf

Are you using a normal 284 chamber? I am looking at a prefit barrel in 7-08, 7-08 match, 284, or 284 match in a short action. I'd use a short action extended mag to get to a max of 2.98" and was wondering if there was a COAL different in the standard or match chambers? Or is the main difference neck diamter or tolerances?
The SAAMI 284 chamber in front of the case is just a shallow forcing cone (or leade, with less than half a degree taper per side) that starts at 0.2900" dia. In other words, it does not have a section of parallel freebore like most "match chambers" or the majority of more modern cartridge chambers. One of the defining traits of match chambers is a section of tight freebore with a thou or less clearance before the taper into the rifling. From what I have seen, having some snug freebore tends to make a rifle a little less picky when trying to find an accurate load. Although there is not just one "match chamber" spec, I would look into that option.

To provide a little background, Winchester was trying to get more powder volume by making the case as long as possible while still having a cartridge that could fit into a ~2.8" action/magazine originally designed for a 308-length cartridge.* This ended up reducing the amount of bullet protruding out of the case, so they did not add a section of regular freebore like the 308 has. Since you plan to load longer than the SAAMI-spec 2.800", you might want some freebore.

*Winchester later did a similar thing with the WSM series, but with considerably less slop at the beginning of the leade.
 
I'm looking ahead for deer season and wanting to chamber a barrel to hunt with. I've deer hunted with a 308 for 25+ years and would like something a little different. I'm stumped for ideas for a short action, 308 boltface chambering in 30cal or 7mm that'll out perform a 308 ballistically. I'm kinda leaning towards 284win. Any other ideas?
284/ 1:8 twist most definitely
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Edit: Never mind / it's a short action
A lot of the bullets that make a 284 great nowadays wont fit in a 2.800" mag
Yeah I'd opt for a 7/08 then
-----------------------------------
BUT, a 260 Rem will also outperform the 308
It's a tough choice between 7/08 and a 260
 
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I’ve got both the 7-08 and 284. Both are accurate, but I’d lean more towards the 284 if I was wanting a new deer rifle, especially if you can pick the barrel twist.

If a SAAMI chamber, any cases work. If they still make it- both Peterson and Norma have good brass. Lapua is bound to drop 284 before too long. 6.5x284 is very plentiful, and resizing to 284 is simple. Probably easier and cheaper to score 6.5x284 than straight 284….
 
284/ 1:8 twist most definitely
-----------------------------------
Edit: Never mind / it's a short action
A lot of the bullets that make a 284 great nowadays wont fit in a 2.800" mag
Yeah I'd opt for a 7/08 then
-----------------------------------
BUT, a 260 Rem will also outperform the 308
It's a tough choice between 7/08 and a 260
100% on the 7-08 vs 260. I will say (at least for me), a 9 twist in my 284 for 160 class bullets is the best option. My 284LA has an 8.5 twist barrel that's ideal for the 180s. I won't go into the 185-195 class with the 284. IMO, those bullets are more for the 28 Nosler or 7 RUM, SAUM. The 7-08/284 just jumps you into the 150-168 range weight bullets. If you like the 120-140 weights, the 260 is the better option I think especially if you decide to push the range behind 500.
 
The 7mm-08, Factory Tikka 22.4 inch Bbl. with the 150 grain ELD-X Bullet @ 2,850 fps, ish DID, a Nice job on, a 5x6 Bull Elk for, my son. It was a very Sweet "Back Packing" Rifle, weighing Only, 7.5 Pounds with, a 4.5 x 14 Burris scope, in Aluminum DNZ Mounts. The Bullet Clipping, the Front Shoulder blade, thru One Lung and Breaking, the Off side Ham's, Femur Bone for, some Tremendous Penetration at, 247 yds. ( The Bull was at, a Slight Angle, across, a small Canyon ). Retained Bullet weight was, a mushroomed,.. 114 grains !
I'd have NO problem with, either, the 7mm-08 or, .284 Win. for, Elk at, "Reasonable" ranges.
But For, DEER and Antelope, the 6.5 Creed IS, Way easier to, shoot, WELL and is, a FUN, Steel Plate Cartridge !
It's PLENTY for, Deer sized game,.. with,.. the "Right" Bullet !
IF, Elk / Moose are, on the Menu,... Go with, either of, the 7mm's For,.. the "Added, THUMP" !
 
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100% on the 7-08 vs 260. I will say (at least for me), a 9 twist in my 284 for 160 class bullets is the best option. My 284LA has an 8.5 twist barrel that's ideal for the 180s. I won't go into the 185-195 class with the 284. IMO, those bullets are more for the 28 Nosler or 7 RUM, SAUM. The 7-08/284 just jumps you into the 150-168 range weight bullets. If you like the 120-140 weights, the 260 is the better option I think especially if you decide to push the range behind 500.
My favorite deer bullet for the 7-08 is the very reasonably priced Hornady 139 gr. BT spire point. It has all the terminal performance you'll need for deer-sized game and it's easy to get it to shoot well.
 
My favorite deer bullet for the 7-08 is the very reasonably priced Hornady 139 gr. BT spire point. It has all the terminal performance you'll need for deer-sized game and it's easy to get it to shoot well.
I'll keep that in mind. I have some Swift Scirocco 150 grain bullets for it.
 
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I ended up ordering a 30cal blank and am going with a 308imp. It just didn't make much sense to re-tool completely for a rifle that gets shot 25-30 rounds per year and I can have my smith take one of my 308 dies that I already have a surplus of and cut it to the imp shoulder. The 308 has always beed great to me for deer, i don't hunt anything bigger, I dont really hunt over 300yd..... so here i am.
 
Are you using a normal 284 chamber? I am looking at a prefit barrel in 7-08, 7-08 match, 284, or 284 match in a short action. I'd use a short action extended mag to get to a max of 2.98" and was wondering if there was a COAL different in the standard or match chambers? Or is the main difference neck diamter or tolerances?
I have the PT&G reamer for 7mm-08 Improved 40° (aka 7mm-08AI).
The freebore is stamped 0.060".

With that the COAL for 140gr NBT is 2.892" for 0.02" off the lands.
140gr Berger VLD is 2.898" for 0.005" off the lands.

Realistically, I only picked up about 50fps over the standard 7mm-08.

Looks cool at band camp though!

My 284 Win I built on a long action commercial Mauser action.
Historically, people have tended to stay away from 284 Win in a short action. The intermediate and long action are better suited to it.
 

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