Is the 284 case with 160-168gr the most efficient in its class?

[VaniB]

Patience with me guys, I'm still deciding, while seeking input from those who know!!

I'm set on a long distance rifle with a 26" sendero barrel that is to be used mostly at 100 yards for none-competetive target shooting, but can also shoot long distance target.....or for hunting on rare occasion. The 6.5x284 is real nice with the ready made Lapua brass and all, but man isn't it a barrel burner for a guy who isn't trying to win awards! So.......I'm concluding that I best stick with the 7mm cal.


I'm wanting it to shoot 160-168 grain bullets into slow fire 5 shot sub 1/2" groups. (While 6BR or PPC 1/4"groups are nice, they aren't required) It seems to me the 280 or AI is little overpowered, while the 7-08 is a little underpowered. I listen to what you guys say about the accuracy node usually hovering at about 2,900+FPS. (I have myself settled on 2,800 FPS as providing 6.9" of wind drift at 8 mph and at 400 yards out, and I consider that pretty darn good). I'm hoping the straight 284 case will give me the best of all words. It seems to me it is the most efficient case without lacking power but not being an uncomfotable blaster like the 280 or 280AI. And yes, while I would prefer that the gun shoots the 162Amax at 2850FPS into 1/2" groups, I'm willing to shoot lighter bullets or slower velocity to attain the best groups out of this rifle at 100 yards.

With my criteria in mind, is the 284 a good choice? BTW, I also intend to muzzle brake it for comfortable extended shooting. (say 20 to 30 rounds)

 

[ChrisNZ]

Other than proportions, the straight .280 is damn near identical to the .284 so the performance will be essentially the same. The Ackley is only slightly ahead of that.

Your basic logic seems fine for the intended purpose.

Chris-NZ

 

[Preacher]

The straight .284 is always a good choice for just about anything you would ever plan to do with it. I like my 7mm SAUMS but will never be without a .284 Winchester shooting Winchester brass.........
I use the 162 Amax in a lot of mine...

 

[boltfluter]

You won't go wrong with a .284. ;D

Regards, Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[holstil]

I shoot a 284 imp. for 1000yd br. I will be changing next year to a 243ai.
If I could have only one gun for hunting, a straight 284 would be my choice. Granted it would be a little much for the lil critters. I think it can be loaded down though.
I built a 7-08ai, it is now my favorite gun. I've only shot 175 and heavier bullets cause that's all I had layin around. It's a hammer at 200yds. I think they were going around 2600fps from a 24" barrel. I only started working loads up, but so far it likes everything I feed it. I wanna see how fast I can get it yet. I don't have to go fast, just curious. Can't wait to see what the Berger 168hyb do. The #'s look good for the 7-08. I might have a another 7-08 in the near future.

To opin to your question, I think the 7-08ai is about right for the bullets you listed.

Jim

 

[articmp]

I've studied and studied the .284 win for a few years now, and I came to the conclusion that I had to have one. I went ahead and had a barrel built in the .284 Shehane. Melvin Forbes ( New Ultra Light Arms) has been pushing the .284 win for years. The way I figure it, the ballistic tables and records speak for themselves.

 

[holstil]

I reread my post, I mean to imply that the 284 is a good round for you. It's just that I think the 7-08 is all you need for those bullets at 100yd. I think the 284 and imp. is an awesome round. I am only changing my br rig cause I have a lot of 308 Lapua brass and it's not getting cheaper. I will only be able to shoot a few matches here and there so the barrel life of the 243 over the 284 won't be that noticeable.

The 7-08 and 284 are a lot of gun for 100yds You will be able to get 1000yd easily with the smaller case if you want to. You need the extra boiler room to drive the big boys down range faster.
Check out the #'s for the 7-08 using the 180hyb at 2600 against the 6Dasher shotting the105hyb at 3100 for reference.

Ballistics aren't everything though, you still gotta shoot, Jim

 

[RDavies]

While I absolutley love the 284 with 162s and 168s for F Class (just finished loading some a few minutes ago), if I was going to be shooting only 400yds, a 7mm/08 would be what I would pick. Im looking at a larger bore caliber for 500M competition at the moment and will be looking at rechambering one of my old barrels to 7mm/08. Recoil wont be too bad, barrel life will be good and it should be inherently accurate. As a hunting round, each end of the bullet weight scale should be suitable for most common sized game. 308 brass will be cheap as well.