Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane #8

[ShootDots]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane UPDATE #4

Erik and ShootDots , I really like reading your post. your content and honesty is second to none . keep up the good work.

Thank You BowHunter, I appreciate that..

Now on to UPDATE #4: Well I took the Shehane loaded up with H4831out this fine morning... Right away I noticed a HUGE difference in accuracy... Groups (5 shots) never made it past 1 3/8" and at 56.8 and 57.0 grains, they were 1" and 7/8" respectively... Remember, these are all shot at 300 yards where I do ALL my load development.. The lower charges had SEVERE e.s.'s, however, as soon as I reached 56.5, they tightened up to about 15-17ft. I will still work to get them 12 and under if I can. I don't think that will be too difficult of a task.. The velocities at 56.0 were running at 2835 and at 56.8 they were 2885 and at 57.0 they were right on the money at 2900.. Since I have consistent grouping(s) now, I still feel that a seating depth ladder test needs to be done. So, once again, I will go from 10K off to 30K off in 5K increments... I think that may shrink my e.s.'s the extra few feet I want. Then if it becomes necessary, I will begin a primer rotation to see if that won't polish it off... But to say I am delighted is an understatement!!

Like Erik stated in his earlier post, HE TOLD ME H1000 was too slow.. However, I wanted to see if I could not get it to work... But it is just a bit too slow.. IMR 7828 will be next in testing AFTER I shoot a 1000 yard match with the H4831 load... I am one of these guys that rarely is "satisfied" with the static environment we often place ourselves in.. So once I establish my load, I will wring out IMR 7828 to see what that is capable of in MY rifle.. I bet it works wonderfully!!

 

[Hoier]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

Ben

I tried all sorts of powder in my first 6br except Varget. I couldn't get anything under a half inch at 100 but man as soon as I went to Varget I instantly went down to .3". So now I try to go with what the successful guys use first. Now with a 6br or a Dasher I always run 450s and Varget.

But I also like how you are willing to try different stuff, so keep it coming. I just got a ladder loaded up so I will be starting my thread at some point this weekend.

 

[ShootDots]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

Ben

I tried all sorts of powder in my first 6br except Varget. I couldn't get anything under a half inch at 100 but man as soon as I went to Varget I instantly went down to .3". So now I try to go with what the successful guys use first. Now with a 6br or a Dasher I always run 450s and Varget.

But I also like how you are willing to try different stuff, so keep it coming. I just got a ladder loaded up so I will be starting my thread at some point this weekend.

I am looking forward to your posting, when it comes... My first 6mmBR "probably" had a hummer barrel... It would shoot almost anything you put down the barrel... I tried 105 Scenars, 105 Bergers BOTH B/Tails and Hybrids, 107SMK's and 105 JLK's... Varget became the powder of choice, however, N150, N540 and RL-15 also gave SUPERB results... Had it not been for the fact of the "heat swings" in Texas, I might have stayed with either N150 or N540.. However, as Summer approached, accuracy deteriorated and "X" count went down due to those powders being a bit temp sensitive.. But as far as straight up and down raw accuracy, N150 was at the Zenith!

 

[Hoier]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

I tried all kinds of stuff. I even tried RL17(which actually worked pretty good I just don't know the speed). But when I started running the norm of the big dogs, it went way better. But I am glad you are getting her pulled together(especially since you don't shoot here and I don't shoot fclass). LOL

 

[ShootDots]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

If I could shoot BR, I would... However, the closest I can get is 2+ hours away and it is only BR a few times per year.. There are a couple of 100 / 200 yard BR shoots around, however, I find my tastes liking 300-1000 yards! Judging from the abilities of Donovan Moran and Jim O'Hara, I would pose very little threat to people in their class of BR, whether I had the opportunity or not!! LOL!!!

 

[Hoier]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

I am just in my third year of shooting 1k br but I absolutely love it and I do so much that I just became the match director at Byers.

 

[ShootDots]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

I think that's excellent! It takes time, planning, work and GUTS to assume that level of responsibility... Your club is fortunate to have someone like you in it! Hopefully there are others who can step up when the time comes!!

 

[Hoier]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

I think I have awhile to go since I'm only 30.

 

[ShootDots]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

You will have a L-O-N-G and fun-filled life ahead of you!! I just started in F-Class 2.5 years ago... I am not the best long range shot in the world and have a long way to go.. BUT at the same time, I am having the time of my life!! The only thing with me is, I spend W-A-Y too much moolah on getting the best equip I can find>>>>AND I like variety... I have 4 F-Open rifles and a couple of "trigger time / fun guns" that COULD easily be used in Mid-Range F-Open! I have now been classified as "F-Open Addicted"!! LOL!!!

 

[Hoier]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

Byers has 600 fclass and I shot one of those once last year and shot pretty good, a 595 20 something x's and it was fun but I was shooting 600 and 1kbr and didnt have the time to add another displine.

 

[ShootDots]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

I would periodically drop in a grab a few F-Open matches per year... I believe it would help in honing your BR skills... Shooting LONG shot strings in various conditions during ONE MATCH can only serve to help you learn>>> and contrary to what some people think, WE ALL need to be on a continuous learning curve, in order to better ourselves.. I don't know ANYONE who shoots 600-60X's all the time>>> ergo we all need to learn!!

 

[Hoier]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

I agree, I might be the worst wind reader goin but I do ok at br since I can run my 5 in 15 seconds and hopefully faster with my new set up. But learning to dance with the wind couldn't do anything but help.

 

[BradY]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

Ben

I have been working on my 284 shehane for a while now, nearly 700 shots and still struggling a little with this barrel but its getting better and Ive just had a tuner fitted to hopefully get the most out of it.

I was lucky enough to be part of our national state team event here in Aus recently and got to shoot against Marty Lobert (we were both our respective state captains). Marty is fairly well known from the couple of videos at the FCWC and loading H4350 in a straight 284W around 2830fps and letting the BC do the work. Well I ran a 6.5mm with 140 bergers around 2950fps as my shehane wasnt tuned for the event, and while my wind drift was I believe close to comparable to his rifle, it was easy to see his X count was alot higher in some nasty conditions.

The 7mm heavy bullets really do handle the wind better even at a speed under what your looking for. And accuracy there with H4350 and case and barrel life too is very good. I wouldnt hesitate recommending it at all.

My rifle seems to like working at that speed with H4350 although Im trying hard to get the hybrids working instead of the VLD's just for that little bit extra BC advantage and for jumping a bullet instead of jamming it. My 5R krieger copper fouls heavily and has been a hard barrel to get to shoot until recently when I figured out running moly coated projectiles got me through a full days shooting rather than one and a bit strings. But they will pull out if unloaded without firing the shot where naked projectiles would stay seated in the case.

I wont use H4813sc as I have used it in my 6.5mm and while accuracy was ok, it really fouled the barrel with some horrible glazed on carbon that was very hard to remove.

I would really suggest trying the H4350 at that lower node and enjoy the accuracy, barrel and case life, and leave the 2950fps bracket to the 7SAUMS.

 

[ShootDots]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

1983, I understand what you are saying.. So far with H4831, I have been in the 2885-2900 range which is going to be Tops for me.. I am shooting the 180 Hybrids and will do yet another ladder test from 10K off to 30K off. When I was out the last time I put them 22-23K off (I split the diff with what was TRYING to shoot with H1000) and it shot GREAT. My accuracy was what I wanted BUT my E.S. were still 15-17 ft. I will do my dead level best to get them 12 and under.. At 1000 Yards, I like, on a very calm day, verticals of about 4" which I got regularly in the early morning practice sessions me and a few friends do before a match.. That was done with my then 6.5 x 284 and my Dasher.. Once I settle on a load here at 300, my next stop is one of those practice sessions out at 1000...

My experience with H4831 goes back YEARS with my "hunting rifle magnums" and I know the powder quite well. I have never had a "dirty powder" problem in any of my rifles using that powder... As a matter of fact, on this barrel, it cleaned white (white patches / no carbon) in 1/2 doz passes... I am surprised at your findings with H4831.. HMMM... I will keep an eye on it, but that powder (H4831) and after that, IMR 7828 (which I KNOW will work) as I prompted a friend to try>>>which he uses exclusively now, as do others, will be "my" powders of choice... I also know what H4350 is capable of, just not on my radar screen at the moment... Thanks for reading my thread and your excellent response to it!! I certainly appreciate everything.. I really do!

 

[Raythemanroe]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

What is a .284 shehane based of from? Expected barrel life?

Good luck with the New barrel and caliber


Ray

 

[Hoier]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

Ray it is a improved 284 Win. I don't the specifics of it though.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

What is a .284 shehane based of from? Expected barrel life?

Good luck with the New barrel and caliber


Ray

It's a .284 Winchester with body taper reduced by .010"
Barrel life is about 2,000 rounds.

 

[Lbart]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

Ben,
I have been following your thread. I am going to steal a line from Erik, "Don't waste your time with ***** try H-4350". Slower, yes, more pressure yes... if you push it, shoots dots YES. Forget 2900, go for 2800-2850'ish.
My go to powders for the 7/270 WSM is H-4831sc, for the Shehane H-4350. There is a reason most of the shooters on the US team shooting RSAUM's used H-4350. It works. The two using 7/270 WSM's used H-4831sc due to the larger case capacity. The Shehane is smaller as you well know.
Question, what have the temp's been like while you are working up these loads? What will happen when the temps go up this summer and you are at the top node now?

 

[ShootDots]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

Hey Larry, I am going to try going up to 1/3gr more H4831.. I am at the TOP as far velocity goes, NOT what the cartridge can do, but where I want it to stop... Should I get excellent accuracy at 57.3 I will have a node with a window of 6tenths of a grain and I will be right in the middle of that node which is a pretty wide window... I should have no problems with temps here in the summer..

I love all the input and I am very appreciative for it... Thanks All..

 

[queen_stick]

Re: Preliminary results on my .284 Shehane

Ben

I tried all sorts of powder in my first 6br except Varget. I couldn't get anything under a half inch at 100 but man as soon as I went to Varget I instantly went down to .3". So now I try to go with what the successful guys use first. Now with a 6br or a Dasher I always run 450s and Varget.

But I also like how you are willing to try different stuff, so keep it coming. I just got a ladder loaded up so I will be starting my thread at some point this weekend.

I am looking forward to your posting, when it comes... My first 6mmBR "probably" had a hummer barrel... It would shoot almost anything you put down the barrel... I tried 105 Scenars, 105 Bergers BOTH B/Tails and Hybrids, 107SMK's and 105 JLK's... Varget became the powder of choice, however, N150, N540 and RL-15 also gave SUPERB results... Had it not been for the fact of the "heat swings" in Texas, I might have stayed with either N150 or N540.. However, as Summer approached, accuracy deteriorated and "X" count went down due to those powders being a bit temp sensitive.. But as far as straight up and down raw accuracy, N150 was at the Zenith!

sorry for butting in with a question that's off topic, but I'd like to know some details about the 6BR and 6Dasher loads with N150 and N540. I own rifles chambered in both, and I have both powders on hand. I haven't done any testing with either powder, so I would live to hear what you know, even if it's just a safe starting point for each powder.

edit: no need to respond here, and take this discussion off track. Send me a PM if you prefer. Or don't tell me anything and keep your secret recipe