7mm caliber choice for my first custom build?

[Downeast]

Thinking of having my first rifle build for F class style shooting. Right now I'm shooting a .284 Winchester in a Savage 12 with a 30 inch Brux barrel and an aftermarket trigger. I've attended a match or two but really find more pleasure and joy shooting against myself and a few friends.

My question is should I stay with the straight 284? Right now I'm sitting on over a thousand pieces of unfired still-in-the-box .284 Peterson and Lapua brass.

Some have told me to switch to the 7PRC? Is it worth it?

 

[Fuj]

Stick with the 284.....I shot a 12 PTA, 30" Brux for a couple of years, and
other then my shortened 284 cats, I never viewed the PRCs as anything
really better. If you must though, put a Shehane reamer in that barrel and
fire form the brass you have......

 

[Evlshnngns]

Lots of cleans were shot with a straight 284.

By going prcw you gain 100+fps and stronger brass. What else?

 

[std7mag]

I agree with @Fuj.

284 Win has proven itself.
If you want more ompf, go with the Shehane.

Plus you already have the brass.
Why increase the expense?

 

[marchx]

7prcw is just shehane in better case, isn’t it?

 

[Ranger188]

If you were trying to be competitive nationally, then maybe change.
But if you are trying to improve yourself, then stay with the 284 for a bit longer.
Nothing wrong with it and as others have said it's a proven winner.
Get a 8.5 or 9 tw and some Berger 180g hybrids and call it a day.
You might gain a little bit with the 7-6.5 PRC
They are always trying some new design. In a couple years another caliber
might come out.

 

[dthomas]

I would stick with the 284 if you have 1000 new cases. If you want to shoot the prc later all you need is a new bolt.

 

[swd]

A less than perfect wind call has a lot more of an effect than the difference between a 284 and a 7/6.5 PRC. Unless your at the top of the HM list you won't see a difference.

 

[ronemus]

.284 can give high enough velocities without burning up barrels quickly - a larger case will eat up barrels with very little gained. The .284 is in a sweet spot for efficiency. The largest factor determining your scores will be wind reading and no amount of horsepower wil make up for a bad wind call.

 

[Bill Norris]

I would definitely stay with the .284 for now. You are in good shape with brass and dies and moving to the custom build by ODCR you will be fine. If I were to build a 7 it would be the .284.

 

[marchx]

I would definitely stay with the .284 for now. You are in good shape with brass and dies and moving to the custom build by ODCR you will be fine. If I were to build a 7 it would be the .284.

I should have done the same maybe but case design in 7prcw is way more beautiful. It’s the shoulder angle, isn’t it.

 

[ELR LVR]

.284 can give high enough velocities without burning up barrels quickly - a larger case will eat up barrels with very little gained. The .284 is in a sweet spot for efficiency. The largest factor determining your scores will be wind reading and no amount of horsepower wil make up for a bad wind call.

Agreed here
IE: a 7mm Mag may need 10-15 grains more powder for just an additional 100-150 fps with the same bullet

 

[SKWERLZ]

I’d stay with 284.

 

[Sandstorm]

Stick with the 284...

If you got the Brass....listen to Fuj
If you want more ompf, go with the Shehane...my favorite.

 

[Evlshnngns]

No way I would go fireforming and custom dies.....when prcw has a stonger primer pocket. I would sell the brass if I wanted more velocity.

 

[323]

We all went 7-6.5 prcw up here in Alaska 5 of us are all new F/O shooters. My one friend was the only one with a dedicated 7-6.5 prcw. He went to the first lr match of 2024 and beat one the clubs high master f/o shooters who was was still shooting a 284. After that he had a 7-6.5 prcw made. Then another bud built himself a 7-6.5 prcw then he built my daughters then a acquaintance finally gave up trying to compete with a 26 inch barrel 7 prc and bought my buddies 7-6.5 prcw and my buddy had another one built. I was one of the last ones after I made the switch from ftr to fo.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

Why would you NOT stay with the 284?

 

[Downeast]

.284 it is!

 

[Fuj]

.284 it is!

You'll probably gravitate to the Bergers where most made their bones,
but......do a little testing with the 183 Sierras. My 8.5 twist Brux barrels
liked them, and at the time, availability good, and Berger, not so much.