30x47 or .284

[Samlisi1]

I need help.

I have a great problem that I am trying to find a solution for. I am looking to build a competition/hunting tactical rifle in either 30x47 or .284. I believe that these are both great rounds. I want the rifle and scope to weigh between 12.5lb and 14lbs. I not opposed to the weight for hunting because I don't do a whole lot of walking where I live. I want the barrel length to be about 20-22 inches (i'll use suppressor).

For hunting (which will be rarely) I am interested in shooting Bergers VLD's. I am thinking that if I build a 30x47 I would use a 1:14 twist to be able so shoot the 135-150gr bullets. I don't think i should use any heavier bullets than that. If I go with a .284 I am thinking between a 1:9 or 1:8 twist. I have heard both are great rounds for hunting. I think I have a lot of bullett choices there.

For target shooting and competition I am looking for something that can be competitive 100-600yrds. From what I have read the 30x47 can shoot really well from 100-300yrds. I have not heard much at longer distances. Any help with this would be great. The .284 i have heard has been a proven winner out past 600yrds. Also, if I am wrong about any of my thinking please feel free to correct me.


I have a 30br and 308 for competition. I have a 6.5x47 for target shooting. I only mentioned this to give you a flavor of what calibers i am using already. I am also going to build this on a remington 700 action. If anyone can share there experience with either of these rounds in either hunting or target type situations, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if anyone with a 30X47 can comment out there can comment on the accuracy out past 300yrds using a 135-150gr bullett that would really help to.

I thank your for your insight. I know both are great choices I'm just not 100% sure of a clear winner for me.

Thanks,

Sam

 

[TonyR]

I haven't shot a 30X47 but my 284 Shehanes have shot a couple of 200's and a bunch of 199s in 600 yard matches. One of the guns is built on a 700 Rem SA and it shoots as well as the other does which is built on a custom action. I think you will find the 7mm bullets will have a higher BC than 30 cal bullets of the same weight. You would probably get much better barrel life with the 30X47 though, if you care about that.

 

[2644ever]

I'm just wondering: what would be the advantages of a 30x47 over another well established and time proven 30x47 like the .300 Savage? If it's only a matter of available cases, I believe you could very easily resize 6.5x47 L , 6.5 Creed or 22-250 cases in a .300 Sav die with a tapered expander, form a false shoulder with a .338 expander, anneal the necks et voila! The .300 S may have a narrower shoulder but its neck is shorter and volume of both cases should be the same. As is, the .300 Sav case withstands as much pressure as the.308 Win. With a case built for high pressure like the 6.5x47 L You could end up with a very efficient .300 Sav that would do everything the .308 does, with less powder. Think about it...
... not to mention that reamers and dies are already available and cheaper...

 

[treeman]

if I were in your position I would go with the 6.5X284 on a long action. I have one on a short action and the seating depth that shoots won't work in the magazine renderring it a single shot it is a really flat shooting round and very accurate.

Darrell

 

[Preacher]

Hard to beat a stock .284 Winchester no matter what your doing with it.....

 

[2506]

I have a 30X47 on the 300 Savage case. It will not equal a 308 Win. Mine has a 24" barrel 12 twist. It will do 2850 fps with 125 gr bullets, 2650 fps with 155 Berger VLD, 2600 fps with 168 Sierra MK with IMR 4895 powder. It will shoot bug holes with about anything you put in it at 100 yards. I have killed a number of deer with it. 125 Nosler ballistic tip at 2850 fps with a 3" high zero at 100 yards is 6" low at 300 yards. Same zero with 155 VLD at 2650 fps is down about 6.5" at 300 yards. I have not shot it beyond 300 yards. The deer I have killed have all been between 100 and 200 yards. The 125 ballistic tip is THE DEER KILLER. Bang flop.

I picked up this rifle from a widow of a bench rest shooter. He had this rifle built sometime in the late 1980's to use in hunter class bench rest. He had only shot it with cast bullets less than 50 times when he died. He kept detailed notes on everything he did. She did not try to sale any of his stuff until about 2005 when she found out she had cancer. It is built on a Ruger 77 action. I do not know what make barrel it has. It is a CM varmint 24" long. The wood stock is glassed in bisonite (SP?) and I have never removed it from the stock. It has a canjar (SP?) trigger.

I would say if you want to shoot out to 600 yards you should go with the 284.

 

[jcvibby]

I dont even think there is a choice here. It seems to me the clear favorite is the 284. way better bullets and I think you would be much happier. Good luck

 

[oldroper]

Sam, I shot the 30x47,30x44 and 30IHMSA in HBR matches and my 30x47 was build by Speedy on a Kodiak action right bolt left port. In our part of the country we only shot 100/200yds match as no ranges had a 300yd set up.

I got out of match shooting just before the 30BR. I used 300 Savage case to form the above calibers and all were tight neck .330" and my last barrels had 1/18 twist for the lighter BIB bullets. We also were limited in weight here is a break down on class

Hunter Class: A 10 pound rifle; any cartridge with no less than 30-30 case capacity (45 grains of water); any sights, scopes must be 6X or less (variables must be set and taped); rebarrelling, restocking, and special triggers permitted. (See Rule Book Article 2 and 3)
Varmint-Hunter Class: a 10 pound rifle; any centerfire cartridge; any sights, scopes must be 6X or less (variables must be set and taped); rebarrelling, restocking, and special triggers permitted. (See Rule Book article 2 and 3)
Varmint for Score Class: The rifle must meet IBS Light Varmint (10 1/2 pounds) or IBS Heavy Varmint (13 1/2 pounds) specifications. (See Rule Book article 2)
Factory: There are no specific rules designating this class. It is generally any centerfire rifle that can be purchased with no restocking, rebarrelling, or special triggers. If you have a hunting or varmint hunting rifle and are interested in trying competitive shooting, check with you local IBS range to see when their next match is being held. There are no IBS awards or records maintained for this class.

To make weight most of my barrels were around 20" my first HBR was a tight neck 308 build by Hammond on a rem action.

Your going to get 300 Savage velocity alot of that depend on barrel/twist etc with the 30x47. I was lucky in that I had match rifles and rifles for hunting/varmit/paper shooting and the only match caliber I still shoot is the tight neck 6ppc as a varmit rifle.

Since you already have a 30Br and 308 for competition the 30br be a great score rifle their using that in the Varmit for Score match if it's set up that way and 308 be good for 600yd match or your 6.5x47. I had a 284 build last year it's one of my deer/elk hunting rifles good caliber.

It's it nice to have so many choices. Well good luck

 

[2644ever]

When I suggested a .300 Savage chambering it was with the condition that resized 6.5x47L brass be used.Otherwise it is obvious that .284 Win will perform better, but not much better than say a 7-08 because Sam intends to use a Rem700 action (I assume it's a short one)and he wants to build a tactical rifle at the same time, it means the cartridge will have to fit the magazine. I think a combo of a short OAL .284 Win and a barrel no longer than 22" is not the epitome of efficiency. I would stay with my initial choice or a 6.5x47 or 6.5 Creed.
JMHO

 

[Samlisi1]

I want to thank everyone for the insight. I have decided to go with a 30x47 one reason. I think it will be a fun round to shoot. I will build a .284 in the future, but I think It will be a heavy competition rifle only. I really think for long range the .284 is the better choice. For hunting and short range 300yrds and in I think I will enjoy the the 30x47.

Again thanks,

Sam

 

[TonyR]

Good luck with you project and have fun!