Reamer Free-bore .284 & 6.5x47

[JBO]

Greetings Gents,
I'm looking for reamer free-bore recommendations for a .284 and 6.5x47. I'll plan on shooting Berger 180 Hybrid and Berger 140 Hybrids respectively. Your advice would be appreciated, I have no clue what I need. Not sure if it makes a huge difference, both rifles will be used for F class. Thanks for the help
Would lead spec also be required?

 

[lawrence97]

I run a .207 freebore in my 284 and .188 in my 280 with the 180 hybrids and both shoot well. If you are only going to use 180 hybrids, .200-.220 is a good place!

 

[Keith Glasscock]

On my straight 284, a .218 freebore works well with the 180 hybrid, but I wouldn't want it much longer - there isn't a lot of shank in the neck and chasing lands does happen.

 

[ShootDots]

In my 284 Shehane I have a .220 freebore and in my 6.5 x 47 I have a .160 freebore..

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I have a .220 in my 284 shehane and the 180 vld shank is right at the donut. I would rather is was a .240.

 

[JBO]

In my 284 Shehane I have a .220 freebore and in my 6.5 x 47 I have a .160 freebore..

Thanks ShootDots,
Are you shooting 140 Hybrids in your 6.5? How far off and what powder would you recommend starting out. I have a a 6.5X47 hunting rifle that I use 41.3 H4350, shoots great

 

[JBO]

I have a .220 in my 284 shehane and the 180 vld shank is right at the donut. I would rather is was a .240.

zfastmalibu,
Doesn't the Shehane have a shorter neck then the standard .284 or wouldn't that have any influence ?

 

[ShootDots]

JBO, I am sorry... My 6.5 x 47, for whatever reason, does not like heavy bullets. However, my "old" barrel LOVED the "heavies".. Having said that, I would use H4350 OR VV N550 for the 140 Hybrids. I would start out at 38.5 and work towards 41.0grs, with H4350 and start about 2.0grs less with the 550.... Seat them 15K OFF the lands to start with. My 6.5 x 284 LOVED the 140 Hybrids seated 5K off... You just have to try them at varying distances FROM the lands.. .IF all else fails there, THEN try going INTO the lands... But my best guess will be somewhere between 5K and 20K off the lands will work well...

I just looked up my "old" load.. I shot the Berger 140gr LRBT's seated 7-8K into the lands using 40.1grs of H4350 and CCI BR4's.. My best 5 shot group with that load was with a 5 shot group that measures .412" at 300 yards BUT the first 4 shots were at .111"!!

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I have a .220 in my 284 shehane and the 180 vld shank is right at the donut. I would rather is was a .240.

zfastmalibu,
Doesn't the Shehane have a shorter neck then the standard .284?

I am not sure, but I don't think so. Dont have my print handy. Seems like to me, most ptg reamers put you very close to the donut which I guess is good for barrel life, but I dont keep my barrels long enough to burn out the throat that much.

 

[JBO]

Thanks everyone for the info

 

[lrgoodger]

I have a .220 in my 284 shehane and the 180 vld shank is right at the donut. I would rather is was a .240.

+1

I'm in EXACTLY the same situation. PT & G had the 284 Shehane reamer on the shelf with a .189 free-bore when I called and I took it to avoid a long wait. Wrong! When you expand Lapua 6.5 - 284 to 7mm - 284, you WILL get a donut. The .189 free-bore had me into the donut with 180 hybrids even at hard jam. I sent the reamer back and had it reground to .220 free-bore and that still is not enough. It seems that expanding the necks not only causes a donut, but there is a slight swell just in front of the dount. I know because as I slowly seat the bullet, force required will be very consistent until just before the bullet seats, then as the pressure ring hits the swell, the seater die snaps closed when tension on the bullet suddenly drops sharply. That and staying out of the donut has given me fits in trying to get consistent neck tension. If I had it to do over again, I would get a .260 free-bore.

 

[Erik Cortina]

.175" on my 6.5x47 Lapua and .200" on .284 Shehane.