Opinions needed!

[Ksmirk]

Fella's I am working on a striker handgun project and need so opinions if you would offer them, I'm either going with a 7WSM or 284 Win probably shoot the 162 A-Max since I'm having such wonderful results from my 284 rifle. I'm thinking a barrel of 18-19" and will throat the chamber so I can get the most powder space as I can.

What I was wondering is what kind of velocity should I be looking at getting with this sort of a barrel? what chambering would you choose? this rifle will be for steel plates and hunting probably up to deer (I'm in Oklahoma so the deer are not monsters) I like the idea of going with the 284 Win but I'm open to suggestions but keep a 7mm. Thanks fella's! Later,


Kirk

 

[TonyR]

I tried the 284 Winchester in QuickLoad with the cartridge overall length of 3.123 and the 162 A-Max. The trick is to get close to 100% burn in the short barrel. At QuickLoad maximum pressure of 63817psi, you might get somewhere around 2700 fps from an 18 inch barrel. The choice of barrel might also be important. The Broughton 5C has been the fastest barrel I have tried on a 7mm so far. For 99%+ burn, QuickLoad suggests H4350, RL-17, IMR4350, Norma URP, VV N550, and Accurate 4350. All came out close to 2700 fps at maximum pressure and 99%+ burn.

 

[Ksmirk]

Tony, thanks! I was guessing 2700-2800fps but well it was just a guess on my part. I guess I better check out the drops and see. Again thanks for running it thru Quickload. Later,

Kirk

 

[Ksmirk]

TonyR, would you be so kind if you have time to run the numbers with a 7WSM? just found out my smith has one headed his way for another customer ;D we have the throating reamer so the COL can be about anything as long as I can get enough bullet into the case I'm golden. The idea is to shoot the 162 A-Max since I've had such good luck with them in my 284 Win plus wouldn;t have to have a dozen different bullets on my bench. Thanks in advance for you help. Later,

Kirk

 

[alf]

Not a 7mm, but just food for thought,

I've got a XP-100 in 6.5-284 with a 18" barrel. It'll run 142's at 2740.

 

[TonyR]

Kirk,
Same setup and assumptions as before except cartridge overall length for the 7mm WSM is now 3.043 inches but the bullet shank is seated at the same depth into the neck as I assumed for the 284. At maximum pressure and max case fill of 105% and close to 100% burn, QuickLoad is giving velocities at MAXIMUM pressure of between 2800 and 2875 fps for the following powders in descending order by muzzle velocity:
Reloader 25
Norma MRP
Reloader-22
Winchester WXR
Reloader 19
H4350
Ramshot Hunter
IMR4350

I would expect one of these to get you above 2800 fps. RL-25 seems the most interesting to me because it burns 100% and the case fill is 105% at max pressure which means you can back off the max pressure load and still have a full case. I have also had some very positive experiences with MRP lately in my guns and I believe that it is an excellent powder to develop if you can get some.
Good luck with your project.

 

[JRinCo]

Since 7 is your lucky number, you should compare 7 WSM and .284 to the 7mm-08 and 140 gr. bullets, from an 18" barrel. A 7mm-08 will be far more efficient in a short barrel, less muzzle blast and a lot easier to tune. If someone wil run it through Quick Load, You'll find just as good of velocities and it will stack up hogs and deer all day.

 

[TonyR]

Tried the 7mm-08 Rem with the same assumptions as above except overall length 2.988 inches, and max velocity at max pressure was just under 2600 fps with RL-17 or H4350. The 7mm-08 AI Remington comes up a little faster but not much. It would be interesting to hear some experiences from someone who tried something like this in a gun instead of some one like me with a computer. These "what if" games can be fun, though, and sometimes the results are surprising. FWIW, QuickLoad has been within 1% of actual results with most match-grade barrels I have tested with powders that burn close to 100%. I believe that it can be very helpful in finding a starting point for a project like Kirk's.

 

[JRinCo]

There is a competiton called something like, Long Range Handgun Silhouette,which is shot on the hi-power rifle course, rams at 500 meters. Some of these guys would show up at our regular rifle matches and shoot with us just for the practice. They all had 16" and 18" barrels, Rem. 700 actions chambered in various -08 cartridges (.260, 7mm-08 and .308). Shooting from a modified horizantal position, they regularly had scores of 37 and up, 40 out of 40 was not uncommon.

 

[TonyR]

Jerry.
I was thinking the same thing. There was a thread not long ago on one of the forums about 1000 yard handguns. I think they were using something like Kirk is planning. I can't seem to find the thread though. I thought the whole idea was nuts at the time but then again, I am old enough to remember all of the noise about Elmer Keith and some of the long shots he claimed for his 44 Magnums. There is always more to learn in this game.

 

[jonbearman]

Just out of curiosity,the batf states that a pistol barrel cannot exceed 15 inche's.If the barrel is over that langth ,it become's a short barreled rifle which falls under class 3 description. Can you advise?

 

[TonyR]

Interesting question! QuickLoad provides warnings about all sorts of things, but not that one.

 

[Ksmirk]

First off fella's thanks a mess! I love it when a good conversation pops up and when it's helpful it's awesome to be a part of it. TonyR much thanks to you for running the numbers, QL showed my 284 rifle to run the 162 at 2875 or 2895 don't recall the exact numbers as this is a new computer but the thing is running over the chrony at 3011fps a nice bonus for me and QL gave me a good place to start loading since I'm burning Hybrid 100 V and I've found no load data.

I would have to check but there are a mess of Strikers running around with 16-18" barrels and I've heard nothing negative from any law agency.

I though about the 7-08 but the bullet I am going to shoot is a 162 A-Max and I knew the 7-08 would not push it fast enough to take full advantage of the high BC of the bullet. I really like the 284 Win but I thought I would bump up the HP when I heard the Rout about the 7WSM reamer Later,

Kirk

 

[TonyR]

Kirk.
I just stumbled across this little jewel:
http://www.centershotrifles.com/gallery/img/090307_Matt_100_1238.jpg
Maybe those guys could give you some suggestions.

 

[Preacher]

Last I knew the feds didn't care how long a pistol barrel was.
A lot of factory pistol barrels are over 15 inches long...
New York State says you can hunt with a 16 inch barrel on a hand gun..

 

[Ksmirk]

Yes sir Tony Jim has been a wealth of information ;D sad to say I'm sure he's going to get several hundered dollars of my hard earned money. I plan on getting on of his stocks soon as he gets some and will be for sure getting one of his muscle breaks don't think that 7WSM and 162 A-Maxes at around 2850fps would be much of a pleasure to shot without a break

I'm waiting to get back home to really get rolling on this project either the 10th of this month or the 19th of November don't know just yet November would help the bank account and make this build come together much faster. Thanks for the info you've helped me considerably! Later,

Kirk