7mm RemMag vs Shehane

[limbic]

Why is the Shehane (.284) preferred over the 7mag? As far that goes why isn't the 7mag not mentioned more in the benchrest/fclass world? Is it because of the recoil or belted case or because it is finiky?

 

[ForneyRider]

Guys with 7mm Mag have shoulders too sore to type.

284 Shehane? Isn't that a 284 Winchester? 7mm Mag has short barrel life, not a bench rester's preferred attribute in a rig.

 

[TonyR]

I have never fired a 7mm Rem mag so I can't compare but I have been very pleased with the 284 Shehane for F-Class competition. A 284 Shehane is a 284 Winchester with slightly less body taper so that the body diameter at the shoulder is 0.485 instead of 0.475 with the regular 284 Win. The net result is an extra 2 to 3 grains of powder. Depending on your barrel, this may not make enough difference to go through the fireforming but I have been able to get mine to shoot the 180 VLDs at well in excess of 2900 fps with excellent vertical accuracy out to 1000 yards with both "fast" and "slow" barrels. Barrel life looks like it will be in the vicinity of 2000 rounds at those speeds. The fireforming rounds run about 2800fps and I have yet to fire a full power round that holds vertical as well as my best fireforming loads. I do use a Limbsaver recoil pad, but i recently fired over 300 full power rounds in one week of competition with no pain at all. There are people who have gotten similar results with the 284 Win and I have certainly been beaten in matches by people shooting that round. Of course, I have also had my head handed to me by people shooting a 6mm BR but that has happened to a lot of people.

 

[Erik Cortina]

I'm having a Shehane built as of right now. I would never even considered the 7mm Mag. because of the magnum bolt face, the case lenght, the short barrel life, and because Lapua does not offer brass for it.

I think the WSM is a better option as well as the RSAUM, but they still have short barrel life.

Just my $.02

-X3M

 

[Rtheurer]

Tony

Thanks for replying with a good solid reply vs some guess type swag answer that does not answer the original posters question.

Limbic:

I think One of the reasons the Shehane is prefered right now is that the Shehane seems to be a little more efficient than the Ole 7mm Rem Mag of yesterday. What do I mean? If you research it you will see that the 284 Shehane can push the exact same bullet at the exact same speed as the 7RM with less powder. Add to that there is alot of 473 bolt face actions out there and you have a reicipie for favoritism. And hey gun guys are gadget freaks and its something new. The 7RM held its share of LONG RANGE Bench rest groups and score back in the early days. It was eclipsed by the 300 Win Mag AI and the 308 Bear made famous by Bruce himself. The 7 RM will do anything the 284 will do but it most likely will do it with to things. More powder and a long action. Neither of which have much to do with accuracy. Same bullet weight vs same speed pretty much equals same recoil, unless the laws of physics have changed this week.

There is good brass for the 7RMag to include offerings by Nosler and NORMA. Both of which have proved to be of very high quality. In fact both have showed better consistancy in weight and neck thickness than the Lapua 284 brass I have been getting in recent years. Not all Lapua Brass is created equal. Ask Benchrester Mr Hoover who shot nothing but Winchester 284 brass in the late 90's because the Lapua and Hornady stuff wasnt that good. I use alot of 308 Lapua and alot of 243 Lapua and those two cases seem real good for neck concentricity and weight. The 6.5X284 Lapua not so much.

The comment about 7mmRM short barrel life and benchresters???? Why are there so many 6.5X284's then? Same Barrel life. Benchrest guys go threw more barrels in a year than most in a life time. Its just the cost of doing bussiness.

Both are great cartridges and I have witnessed some steller performances out of both.

Hope this helps answer your question.

Be safe out there.
RussT

 

[limbic]

The efficiency of the Shehane is certainly something to ponder. I have a 7RM that is a heavy hunting rifle and more accurate than most. 1/2 MOA usually. I was just curious why this belted cousin wasn't mentioned more. It runs the 180s just a hair under 3k fps. Not lots of recoil but it isn't a 6BR either! I've never considered even trying it at fclass but may in the future. Just for giggles. Short fat brass seems to trump long brass as far as accuracy now a days and this certainly doesn't favor the RM. I don't know how a magnum bolt face would really factor or than somethings just inherently work and others are lime forcing a round peg in a square hole. Thanks for the insight.

 

[ForneyRider]

I put 69gr of R25(MAX LOAD) in 7mm Mag with a 168gr SMK for 2800fps out of a 26in barrel. Shooting 60 of these in a day made my shoulder sore for days. If Shehane can do 2900fps with 180gr VLD with a 26-30in barrel, then that is fantastic.

 

[TonyR]

My barrels are 31 inch. I have done 3000fps with N560 and the 180 VLD in my fastest barrel. I have gotten well above 2900fps in my slow barrels with IMR7828SSC. I don't believe that is the max in either barrel, but I didn't go any further because I didn't think I could get up to the next node. I have some RL-17 but I haven't done a full workup with it, so I don't know where the max might be with that powder. There are many ways to possibly use that 2-3 grains of powder capacity and I have just scratched the surface at this point. One possibility I have explored in QucikLoad is the 168 VLD or the 162 A-Max. QL has been very good with the loads I am using now and it suggests that I could max out at about 3100fps with either of those bullets. I don't know whether there would be a node around there but I hope to do some testing once the match season is over.

 

[Rtheurer]

Lim

Im a little confused by your last post. 60 rounds + sighters of 168gr SMK made your shoulder sore for days but you want to shoot 168-180's at 2900fps? I would think that if this the case then a 6.5mm or 6mm would be more in line with your needs than your wants.

This is the main reason I shoot a 6.5mm vs the 7mm. I really like my 7's but realisticly I take a beating from the larger bullets going fast. It shows up on the target after a days worth of shooting. And if I cant be competative with the cartridge i selected then its completly worthless to me.

I elected to shoot the heaviest amount of recoil I can take and still shoot good shots all day long.

Sorry for getting off topic. I still think both cartridges can accomplish the same results.
My 7RM runs at 2973fps with 65.5gr H4831SC and a 162gr Amax. The 280AI runs 2860fps with the same bullet and 55gr N560.


I like to tinker so if it was me I would play with the shehane. You have to weigh in the new gadget in your descision.


Good Luck It should be fun. let us know what you decide.
RussT

 

[dsbw]

I am shooting standard .284 Win, seems to be quite a good cartridge for long distance target work. My question is more to do with the 7mm Rem Mag:

If I use my Rem Mag for Hunting Only (62.5gr H4831, 175 gr SMK, 2800fps), border barrel, what kind of Barrel Life can I expect from it? I am taking extrta care not to let it overheat (three shots at a time max)??

I would appreciate views from this forum please?

tx!!

 

[Erik Cortina]

If you only do three shots at a time I would say your barrel would last you 1500-2000 rounds, maybe more. Our problem is heat, our bbl's get really hot after a 20+ string, that's what kills the barrels.

I have a 300WM that I used for F-Class at first, I washed away about .150" in two months, then I used for hunting only, after two years you can't tell a differene in the throat. 100 rounds a year instead of per day makes a differnce!

-X3M

 

[dsbw]

x very much x3m, really appreciate your advice!

 

[TheNatureBoy]

Interesting comments to say the least. I've been loading for a 7mm rem mag sendero (non-fluted barrel) for about a year now and use it only to target shoot. For the most part I've used Nosler, Sierra, and Berger bullets (150-180 grains) with outstanding results. I usually limit my strings to 3 and give the barrel some time to cool down before I continue. I prefer the heavy barrel vs lighter/thinner ones. The additional weight absorbs the recoil and makes it possible for me to shoot heavier bullets if I want. As far as barrel life is concerned I don't worry about that. When I go to the range I take a few rifles with me and ususally shoot no more than 15-20 rounds through each one any way.

 

[M700]

An F-class match usually consists of three twenty-shot strings, each fired in 20 minutes. Plus a couple of sighters prior to each string of fire. No muzzle brakes allowed.

Not many people want to lay down prone behind a magnum of any kind and get pounded by 66 rounds...

I remain however a devoted fan of the 7mm Rem mag as a general purpose/long range hunting cartridge!

 

[bubbalo7]

I have never fired a 7mm Rem mag so I can't compare but I have been very pleased with the 284 Shehane for F-Class competition. A 284 Shehane is a 284 Winchester with slightly less body taper so that the body diameter at the shoulder is 0.485 instead of 0.475 with the regular 284 Win. The net result is an extra 2 to 3 grains of powder. Depending on your barrel, this may not make enough difference to go through the fireforming but I have been able to get mine to shoot the 180 VLDs at well in excess of 2900 fps with excellent vertical accuracy out to 1000 yards with both "fast" and "slow" barrels. Barrel life looks like it will be in the vicinity of 2000 rounds at those speeds. The fireforming rounds run about 2800fps and I have yet to fire a full power round that holds vertical as well as my best fireforming loads. I do use a Limbsaver recoil pad, but i recently fired over 300 full power rounds in one week of competition with no pain at all. There are people who have gotten similar results with the 284 Win and I have certainly been beaten in matches by people shooting that round. Of course, I have also had my head handed to me by people shooting a 6mm BR but that has happened to a lot of people.

I see where Erik Cortina shoots a Shehane a lot. Iv e never sewen one or shot one..
Im wanting to possibly try to shoot in F-Class.I have a few rifles. Nlot anything fancy or custom.I am just a decent shot. I shoot my Remington 700 PCR 6.5 Creedmoor mostly..I dont particularly care for a 308 Win. I do like my 6.5 Creedmoor and my 6.5 PRC. and my Browning 7mm Rem. Mag. but the 7mm Mag has more kick than I can stand without a brake or my suppressor. I am considering building a rifle for F Class. ( Have iot Built..Not built by myself)..So what advice would you give me. Thank you.

 

[Rope2horns]

I see where Erik Cortina shoots a Shehane a lot. Iv e never sewen one or shot one..
Im wanting to possibly try to shoot in F-Class.I have a few rifles. Nlot anything fancy or custom.I am just a decent shot. I shoot my Remington 700 PCR 6.5 Creedmoor mostly..I dont particularly care for a 308 Win. I do like my 6.5 Creedmoor and my 6.5 PRC. and my Browning 7mm Rem. Mag. but the 7mm Mag has more kick than I can stand without a brake or my suppressor. I am considering building a rifle for F Class. ( Have iot Built..Not built by myself)..So what advice would you give me. Thank you.

I'm a fan of the Shehane, that said a straight 284 has dominated Fclass for years. The 300wsm and some of the SAUM improved cases are starting to come to the top as well. Pick your poison, learn how to reload for it and what it does in the wind. Enjoy.

 

[Fuj]

I know this is a really old thread being responded to but,
take a look at the "7 Sherman" Robin Ardoin has been
playing with as of late. Not sure he'll go back to the .284
Win anytime soon. I bought off a good chunk of his .284
virgin brass.