Building a 284

[onelastshot]

I've got a Remington 6mm BDL rifle and I've decide that I need another project. I've got another 6mmAI and I just don't want two 6mm rifles. The 6mm Remington is a long action and I thought it would be perfect to build a 284. My question is do I have to change the bolt face or is this just a matter of rebarreling the action? I know the 284 was a bitter dissapointment because it was built on a short action and that severely affected seating bullets and overall COAL. That's why I'm using a long action.

Also, what the advantage of 284AI? I'm not certain what shoulder the 284 has and how much increased case capacity I'd end up with.

 

[ShootDots]

I've got a Remington 6mm BDL rifle and I've decide that I need another project. I've got another 6mmAI and I just don't want two 6mm rifles. The 6mm Remington is a long action and I thought it would be perfect to build a 284. My question is do I have to change the bolt face or is this just a matter of rebarreling the action? I know the 284 was a bitter dissapointment because it was built on a short action and that severely affected seating bullets and overall COAL. That's why I'm using a long action.

Also, what the advantage of 284AI? I'm not certain what shoulder the 284 has and how much increased case capacity I'd end up with.

No, no boltface change. They are both .473 boltfaces. However, there is one aspect you MAY end up having a bit of trouble with. The magazine wells on a .284 are a bit different. The .284 is "fatter" and has a 35 degree shoulder. It can become difficult to feed, especially when cycling the bolt quickly. The magazine can be modified by a competent 'smith, or a custom one made to feed the "fatter" cartridge with a sharper shoulder angle.. But this is a minor inconvenience..

 

[Raptor]

Your action will work fine as long as it is a long action. I would stay with a straight 284. 1-9 works great for up to 175s but if you want to shoot the big bullets I would go with a 1-8 or 1-8.5 The 180ELDs shot great in my 1-9 at 500yds but opened up from 800 to 1000yds. I think I was on the ragged edge for twist with the 1-9. You will love the 284s. I am on my 3rd barrel and shoot the 162s in mine. They shoot great and are cheap to shoot.........

 

[onelastshot]

No, no boltface change. They are both .473 boltfaces. However, there is one aspect you MAY end up having a bit of trouble with. The magazine wells on a .284 are a bit different. The .284 is "fatter" and has a 35 degree shoulder. It can become difficult to feed, especially when cycling the bolt quickly. The magazine can be modified by a competent 'smith, or a custom one made to feed the "fatter" cartridge with a sharper shoulder angle.. But this is a minor inconvenience..

Thanks for the insight. I didn't consider the magazine when I decided to go with the 284.

 

[slm9s]

280 is a lot of fun too...

 

[B23]

I have two .284 based rifles, a 6-284 on a SA Rem700 and a 6.5-284 on a LA Rem700, both feed perfectly fine through the standard Rem BDL bottom metal.

 

[FeMan]

I would guess an Ackley shoulder would get you less additional capacity than a Shehane. I haven't messed with the Shehane but it seems that there isn't quite enough additional capacity to always get you to the next node. The 284 is solid and I would recommend you keep it simple and stick with it. I have three 284s; two match rifles and on hunting rifle. My match rifles are 1:9 twist and stabilize the 180 Hybrids fine at sea level. They will not stabilize the 175 eldx, 180 eldm, or 183 SMK though. I went with a 1:8.5 on my latest hunting rifle and it stabilizes the Hornady's fine.

 

[lawrence97]

I’m not sure on the 284 AI. I use a 284 shehane and it allows approx. 10% more case capacity. If I wanted I can run 180 hybrids in the 2920-2950 range but it’s hard on brass. I am currently running the shehane at 2790-2810 with 183 Sierra’s out of a 9 twist and it shoots great at 1000. The shehane allows me to run the same nodes as a 284 with less pressure and extended brass life.

I’ve also owned a straight 284 and it used to like running at 2850-2890 with 180 hybrids but brass wouldn’t last nearly as long as it does in the shehane.

As for barrel twist, there is literature/recommendations for a certain twist but it does not mean that another twist won’t work (keyword on the print: “recommended twist”). I only run 9 twist and I do not have a problem with 183’s or 180’s at 1000. I like to test and verify myself rather than trust info online or a printed recommendation on a box. A 9 twist for the 180 class bullets is the most common.

 

[B23]

The 284 Shehane only gains 3.3 grains of extra case capacity which is only a 5% increase.

 

[longbow]

My 284 Mtn. Rifle built 27 +years ago. A 3.10 OAL in an extended mag well, bolt stop cut back to throw out A loaded round if I have to. 9 Twist Lilja Barrel #3 contour. Built for the 140 gr Barnes bullet. Longest shot 320+ yds Cow Elk total pass thru. Have only recoverd two bullets from 14 elk, one Moose, countless deer, one bear. It only likes two rounds in the mag well( do we need more than three shots with one in chamber? ). No problem, first shot has always put them down. Brownells Camo Green Dura Paint, every couple years A light spray looks good as new. I sold off my 338,7 mag,30-06,308 and 243 and built this one gun. no regrets.......

 

[longbow]

Thanks Gennaro64...Afew more elk since last posted. a Big cow this year at 200 yds and a small white tall @ 100 yds. 3 bullets sight in...two for the game. I figure MAYBE 600 rounds thru this gun since built. I did mount my old suppressor thats 10 years old and all steel( 1.5 #). sending it back in for a titanium rebuild.

 

[Terry]

Both the .284 and .284 Shehane are excellent cartridges. With the Shehane you can run less pressure or more velocity. The .284 Shehane is a F Class favorite. It is an excellent cartridge!

 

[DocCoffee]

Build the .284, just don’t do it with a SAAMI chamber.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

You can always use a DBM. Use Magpul LA magnum magazine and center feed your rifle. No need to modify the feed lips.