Getting started with the 284 Shehane

[Beaware]

Hello from France to all the community of American shooters here on this forum .

I am going to start an adventure with this new caliber : the 284 Shehane. I have already read a lot of things on this forum about this subject, but I didn't dare to pollute other people's topics.
I ordered an Italian Sabatti Tactical EVO rifle, because there is no other brand in Europe that offers this caliber.
It has a 28" long original barrel with an external diameter of 1.10". The rifling system is the MMR.
I ordered my components, Vihtavuori N160 powder, Lapua Scenar L 180 Grain bullets and Lapua 284 Winchester cases. The primers will be Federal GM210M.

I would have liked to have your opinion for the Fire-Forming of the cases. I was thinking of using Vihtavuori N150 powder with Lapua Scenar L 150 Grain warheads, and not shooting directly full load and with 180 Grain bullets.
Let me know if I'm doing it right, or if you have any other good advice for me. I know I didn't buy a Match grade gun, but I don't have an unlimited budget.

I am not a novice reloader, as I have been reloading 7.08 REM and 222 REM for 15 years.
I always use a Labradar to measure my loads when shooting. I also use an internal ballistics software Gordon Reloading Tool.

You'll excuse my poor English, but I use a translator because I'm not comfortable with the language of Shakespeare at all.

Very friendly.

Stéphane

 

[Kurz]

I think this is the model you are referring to.

You'll excuse my poor English,

I don't think you have anything to apologize for, it all made sense to me when I read it.

Enjoy!

 

[Bronsin]

I recently used that method of fireforming with a lighter load and it really worked well. My primer pockets are still tight, other than the ones I intentionally pushed the limits on, and my uniformer hasn't removed anything but carbon after 8 firings. Nice Rifle!!!!!!!

 

[One Eye Pete]

When I put a new barrel on my competition F Class gun (which is a 284 Shehane) I normally fireform 100 new cases with a light load. The light load helps with both brass life and barrel break in. After the initial 100 fireforming rounds both the barrel and the brass are ready for load development. These fireforming rounds can be very accurate so it is a great time to get the new gun sighted in and all set up. Unfortunately I can't give you load data on the VV N160 as I normally use H4832sc with Berger 183s. The one thing I can tell you is that I have had better success shooting the low node (in the low 2800 ft/sec range) rather than the higher node at 2900+ ft/sec. Accuracy trumps velocity, and it is also a lot easier on the barrel and brass life.
Good luck with the new gun!!!

 

[1shot]

Fire forming the Shehane is minimal at best. You are only straightening the body taper by .010". I have shot several 197-199 at 1K while forming the brass, so I just use a known 284 load and go shoot a couple of club matches. Good luck with your Shehane, you will be having a lot of fun with it.

Lloyd

 

[Beaware]

Thank you all for your feedback and experiences. So I will start some tests in September when I get the rifle.

Another question that comes to mind: would you prefer to do a partial recalibration (only the neck) or a Full recalibration with Shell Holder of competition to manage the height of the shoulder ?

By the way, with which tool do you measure your shoulder heights ? I only have a Hornady gauge with insert n° 420 .

 

[Sandstorm]

The 420 is perfect.
As 1shot mentioned before your fireforming loads can be quite accurate or good enough to shot a match with. I never waste components.. go shoot and have fun.

 

[ChrisNZ]

Hello from France ..

You'll excuse my poor English, but I use a translator because I'm not comfortable with the language of Shakespeare at all.

.

Your English is infinitely better than what is often seen on here Stephane. Cést bon.

 

[Sandstorm]

Your combination with N160 and 210M primers in Lapua brass is a proven mix.
You will find this round easy to work with,
And it shoots extremely well at distance.

 

[Beaware]

Hello friends, the rifle just arrived, and I have a question about the bullet seater :

Is it possible to use the Wilson micrometric seater in 284 WIN caliber ?
Because there is no seater at Le Wilson in caliber 284 Shehane.

 

[Sandstorm]

You will need to have the Wilson honed out for a Shehane chamber dimension ( shoulder junction )
by a gunsmith, or do it yourself. I had to do this with my Wilson seater as the 284 Win shoulder
dimensions are not the same and it will not fit.
You may be able to find another seater to use...I dont know.

 

[EEP]

I bought a 284 Shehane seater straight from FClass products. It’s a Wilson seater that’s been opened up by a well known precision gunsmith. Worth every cent. Great full length sizing die as well.

Good shooting

Product Page

www.fclassproducts.com

 

[Leeman]

Whidden gun works supply 284 Shehane sizers and seaters off the shelf

 

[1shot]

I use a Whidden F/L sizer busking die and couldn't be happier.
Lloyd

 

[Beaware]

Hello friends from across the Atlantic. A quick review of my first test session with this Sabatti Tactical EVO in 284 Shehane.

I had prepared 6 cartridges, with a 0.023" rifling removal, new LAPUA 284 WIN case, 53 Grain of N160, FED210M primers and Lapua Scenar 180 Grain bullets.
Average velocity measured with Labradar = 832 m/s (2730 fps).

I had 2 big overpressures, with a primer tear off on one round, and on the other a big ejector mark.

Target accuracy at 100 yards was awful = 2" of grouping (2 MOA)

My cases are new, I thought I read that some shoot with a normal load from the Fireforming, but I have the impression that it will have to review the load of powder down.
Of course my gun is being broken in, so I clean it between each shot for at least 20 rounds.

I am quite disappointed with my day, tomorrow I will analyze this and redo a measurement of the rifling.

 

[Sandstorm]

You should probably work up a powder charge ladder and find a node that shoots well.
then work on your seating depth to fine tune this load.
Get some cases fireformed and you will have someplace to work from. ( starting point )
I would not expect the first few rounds to be right on the money.

 

[henryFopen65]

You should probably work up a powder charge ladder and find a node that shoots well.
then work on your seating depth to fine tune this load.
Get some cases fireformed and you will have someplace to work from. ( starting point )
I would not expect the first few rounds to be right on the money.

I recently( Aug 22) acquired a new a Borden BRMXD action, 32” Brux barrel on a Kestros ZR stock and that Borden built for me and after 5 fowling shots, it shot 40 straight shots with .46 MOA at 100 yards while fire forming. I shot a very light load of 48 grains of some old win 760 powder begins Berger 190’s. Velocity was only around 2600 fps, but for a new barrel and fire forming, while only guessing at seating depth I was very impressed.

I now shoot 51.1 grains of H4350 behind Berger 180 Hybrids seated about 15 thousandths off jam and Cci BR2 primers and now have been regularly finishing in top 2-3 of my regional Fclass matches. The big issue now is not worrying about accuracy but wind….I am able to be very confident that the bullet is going to go where I ask it to with conditions as the concern. I am really only a year into the support so lots to learn still.

I anneal after every firing, use 2 expanding mandrel to expand slowly in 2 stages and lube the necks with graphite Lube.

 

[Sandstorm]

Thats the ticket. Express way to the top of the heap…and yes the wind is the real adversary here in this game.