shortened 284 case

[woofer]

this site makes my head hurt! to many toys to think about!

i am sure someone has done it but i have to ask:
wouldn't a 284 case shortened to say 1.5" and even shorter make as much sense as anything else you might have to neck turn? especially 6.5 and over? seems the BR fits in the 6mm so i would assume the 284 case would be a likely candidate shortened to similar length for the 6.5 and up.....
i love the idea of the grendel and the 6.8 leaves me cold. dont ask me why, just does. would a 1.5" 284 case do anything something else that short already does well?
newbie and just thinkin' outloud.....

thanks

woofer

 

[Travelor]

Go to www.6mmbr.com and look around. There is a wealth of info in 6.5mm wildcats.

 

[Cheechako]

woofer

You're right, it has been done - many times. There are wildcats based on a shortened 284W that range from 22 to 30 caliber, that I know of, and probably bigger calibers as well. The only ones that have proven to be worth all the labor are the 30 caliber Hunter Bench Rest cartridges like the 30 Fat Albert, 300 x 42, and the 30 MYERS. There's a lot of work involved in making the brass and the smaller calibers just aren't worth it because there are so many better cases to start with. But, if you're a certified wildcatter I say go for it.

Ray

 

[ArtinNC]

You are right a lot of work . I have a couple I'm working on now a 22-284 SHORT and 6mm284SHORT The 6mm284S shoots pretty good,I have problems with the 22-284S that I'm still working on . Here is a picture of them.

 

[Louisiana Shooter]

How do you shorten your cases? I've been dreaming up a shortened Ultramag case but haven't found a cheap way to do it yet with out using special form dies...a little too expensive at this time for me....maybe in the future.

 

[Cheechako]

Apache

A lot depends on the final size and shape you're after. For the simpler ones you can push the shoulder back with a FL sizing die, trim and fire-form. For others you may have to go through incremental steps with forming dies, then trim and fireform. I can tell you that working with the 300 RUM is a chore if you intend to make big changes. The brass is thick and tough and will probably require forming dies, an inside neck reamer, and a lot of sweat and cussing.

Ray

 

[ArtinNC]

Cheechako,
You have it about right .I made my own form dies .To push just the shoulder back it took 6 steps . I made buttons like nesk sizing bushings but the form bushings has the shoulder in the bushing . I shortened the 284 Win and pushed the shoulder back 3/8 inch and you can't do this in a two step form die . Then it took 3 buttons to neck down to 6mm . I'm going to be busy the next couple weeks,after that I take some pictures and post my steps to shortening the 284 Win and larger cases, If anyone wants to see them ) . And it would be a bigger job to shorten one of the new short mags.
Art

 

[Louisiana Shooter]

Thanks for the info...about how much are you able to reduce the body of the brass at one time? Do you anneal neck and shoulders of the cases before forming?

I've given some thought to getting a small lathe in order to make some of the tools needed for my projects but I don't know if it's cost effective in the long run....I would certainly enjoy making my own stuff though.

 

[ArtinNC]

I tryed annealing first but it causes the case to collapse makes it to soft. On shorting the 284 down to make my 22-284SHORT I anneal after step 7,you can feel the brass getting hard . I also ream the inside of the neck at this time

 

[ArtinNC]

Cost effective,stick with something easer . Some thing like this is just for your own satisfaction just to prove that you can do it .
Art

 

[Louisiana Shooter]

Cost effective,stick with something easer . Some thing like this is just for your own satisfaction just to prove that you can do it .
Art

LOL!!! Yes I know what you mean....bad thing is...once it's in your blood you can't quit

The more I think about it, I'm think I'm gonna get a small lathe this summer sometime and start learning how to use it. Maybe by this time next year, I'll have my wildcat in process.

Thanks for the info!!

 

[Cheechako]

Apache

I'm a certified wildcatter myself and even though I tell myself each year to stick with the ready made brass I always come back to the wildcats. If you don't intend to do your own barrel work or other major projects like that, a little 6" lathe can be used to make your own dies and a lot of other useful gadgets that make wildcatting more enjoyable. If you spend a little time on e-bay you can sometimes buy a 6" Atlas with a lot of tooling for a couple of hundred bucks. I have a big lathe for my gun work but I also bought a 6" Atlas locally for $100 and with it I can make dies, turn case necks, make pins, screws, punches, and all sorts of things that require very little set up. Helps to keep my big lathe set up for the big jobs. I mounted the 6" on a piece of 3/4 inch plywood and can store it under the workbench when I'm not using it.

Ray

 

[ArtinNC]

Sounds like you two are HOOKED. If your going to do it to be cost effective you need to design your own, and have your reamers made and stick with it . And make it something that you can get good brass for. Art

 

[Louisiana Shooter]

I've been watching for something on Ebay that would be within easy driving distance so I could go pick it up and not have to pay for shipping...that can get expensive with heavy machinery. I figure I'll end up getting something small then get something with a 1.25" to 1.5" spindle bore before I'm through so I can turn out at least a 30" barrel if need be.

Already starting down the slippery path......having custom reamers built already,PT&G). Building on Savage actions for now because of the easy barrel swaps. Thinking about my next build....maybe a 30br with a little bit longer throat so I can use 125 Nosler BT's for a little bit of deer hunting on the side.

 

[ArtinNC]

If you have never chambered a barrel Savage is the best place to start,and you need the book " The Complete Illustreted Guide To Precision Rifle Barrel Fitting " by John Hinnant . You can get it from Dave Manson Precision Reamers . Art