Help Me Set Up A 284 Winchester Hunting Rifle

[FeMan]

I shoot at sea level in cold temps. The 180s stabilize in the 1:9 fine. I have moved to a 1:8.5 now though and am shooting 183 SMK in my match rifle and also in my hunting rifle. I’m not sure if a 1:9 would stabilize the 175 ELDX. The 1:9 did not stabilize the 180 ELDM for me though.

If you haven’t got a barrel yet and are planning to shoot heavies you might want err on the side of caution and go 1:8.5 at least. If you live and shoot at altitude you can get away with lower twist rates sometimes. HTH.

 

[yukonal]

"Barrel needs to be chambered to shoot the Nosler 160 grain Accubond."

Quote from the OP.

 

[AROKHUNTER]

I am at an average of 1000 feet above sea level. But areas around me range from 250 feet to 1500 feet above sea level. I’m in Arkansas, on the Oklahoma line. So I’m not high enough for the air to thin out enough to help with the twist.

I had read somewhere that either the 8 or 8.5 twist was very hard on the bullet jackets and Accuracy would fade quickly, as in about the 200 round mark. Like I said, I READ that. I don’t KNOW that. Had me curious though.

Does anyone know what the freebore would need to be in order to shoot both the Nosler 160 Accubond AND the Hornady ELD-M 162 when they are at optimum seating depths?

Will the .197 freebore work for this?

 

[JBT47]

I am at an average of 1000 feet above sea level. But areas around me range from 250 feet to 1500 feet above sea level. I’m in Arkansas, on the Oklahoma line. So I’m not high enough for the air to thin out enough to help with the twist.

I had read somewhere that either the 8 or 8.5 twist was very hard on the bullet jackets and Accuracy would fade quickly, as in about the 200 round mark. Like I said, I READ that. I don’t KNOW that. Had me curious though.

Does anyone know what the freebore would need to be in order to shoot both the Nosler 160 Accubond AND the Hornady ELD-M 162 when they are at optimum seating depths?

Will the .197 freebore work for this?

I would go 1-9” twist. I shot out a Krieger 1-9” on a Surgeon 591 7 WSM and it hammered with the 180 Hybrid. No reason to go faster than a 9”. I live in Mississippi at very low altitude.

 

[284winner]

So how much leade is needed for the 160 Accubond and how much is needed for the 162 ELD-M??? Do you have a recommendation for the freebore?

By the way 284winner, the 7-08 build got put on hold, so I decided to go this route with the 284. You helped me a lot with info on the 7-08.

Thanks again!

Personally if I were building a long action 284 win today, I'd go with a .220 freebore. You'll be able to run the 162 ELDs and 180 vlds. The 160 will be able to jump an still maintain accuracy to your satisfaction. Are you talking about the 160 accubonds or 168 LRAB ? Both are a long range low drag bullet but the LR version is longer and will be much closer to the 162 ELDM. The best way to figure out what reamer you want is to send a couple dummy rounds at your preferred cartridge length for that long action platform to the reamer maker. They will build the proper reamer for your cartridge design. Glad anything I suggested, helped. I certainly got alot of it myself here on this forum from guys that forgot more than I'll ever know. Good luck. John
Note: If all you'll be shooting is the 160 accubond, yes the .197 freebore will work. Actually you won't even need that much, .180 will work. The advantage of the long action is you have much more bullet adjustment. Freebore options are actually plentiful.

 

[pslater]

Arokhunter, I have one I bought second hand, it is build by longrangehunting.com website, stiller la (LH), jewell trigger, #4 Brux 26" 9t, manners stock, kwik klip bottom metal. A side discharge brake. The 284 was easy to get shooting well, will put groups in the .3's so the rifle is not the weak link....

using 180 bergers, with 4831sc, 210 m, Coal of 3.120, 180 hybrids leave @ 2800, 175 elite hunters, same load just a tad faster. same POI. Crushes game. easy to shoot, have run the above loads to 1250 on 18 x 24 plates. going to experiment with some rl 26 just for fun. using Norma brass, no turn

Idahoorion

You're going to like the RL 26. 55 gr. RL 26, 180 Hunt VLD's @ 3.18 COAL = 2870 fps from a Bartlein 28". About 57k psi. Very accurate.

 

[idahoorion]

You're going to like the RL 26. 55 gr. RL 26, 180 Hunt VLD's @ 3.18 COAL = 2870 fps from a Bartlein 28". About 57k psi. Very accurate.

thanks for that great info pslater, I will work up to it!

Idahoorion

 

[AROKHUNTER]

Okay. I just ordered a Long Action Remington 700 Receiver. Now to find a barrel.

What groove would be best in the barrel for the 160+ grain bullets? A 4 groove or a 5R or what?

Contour suggestions would also be helpful.

Rifle will be primarily a stand/blind hunting rifle 75% of the time.

4 stock choices I’m considering are

McMillan A1-3
McMillan A3
McMillan HTG with Adjustable Comb
Manners EH1

 

[284winner]

5R is hard to beat. Kriegers 4 groove barrel is a very nice option also. Many opinions on the twist. Ultimately it really doesn't matter accuracy wise which number of grooves a barrel has, 3-8 will work equally well. Moving on. McMillan A3,4 or 5 are all good stocks as are Manners. I think you'd like the Greybull and Grayboe stocks as well. All are basically the A3-5 design stock. The stocks you mention are designed for light Palma thru an MTU(straight taper)design. The A3 type will be the lightest design.

 

[AROKHUNTER]

I’m looking at a Remington Varmint contour, or a Medium Palma contour. I’m going to get the barrel ordered this week. I am REALLY leaning towards the Medium Palma contour. I already have a rifle with that contour and i like it. I also like the 5.00” shank.

I ran the Berger twist calculator and the 8.5 twist seems to be what I need according to that.

 

[JBT47]

I’m looking at a Remington Varmint contour, or a Medium Palma contour. I’m going to get the barrel ordered this week. I am REALLY leaning towards the Medium Palma contour. I already have a rifle with that contour and i like it. I also like the 5.00” shank.

I ran the Berger twist calculator and the 8.5 twist seems to be what I need according to that.

Medium Palma does not come with a 5.00” shank. You could order a custom Contour with a 5” shank from the barrel makers but if it were me I would order a barrel from Bugholes and get it in a few days rather than 6 months.

 

[AROKHUNTER]

Well, I got the barrel ordered.

Bartlein
Medium Palma Contour
8.5 Twist
5R Rifling

5 month wait time.

That takes care of the action and barrel.

Now to make the decision on a stock and chamber specs.

You guys are a wealth of knowledge.

 

[AROKHUNTER]

I checked all the barrel suppliers I could find online. I couldn’t find a barrel that was the twist and contour that I wanted.

I’m in line for my build with the gunsmith anyway. So it will all work out.

 

[AROKHUNTER]

As far as barrel length goes, I was thinking 26” Long. What have y’all found to be the FPS lost or gained per inch of barrel length?

On that note, how fast do the 175-180 grainers need to leave the barrel to be working at 800 yards on deer/elk?