Trying to decide... 284, 280AI or 7RSAUM for F open.

[chuckbuster243]

Hello guys,
I am trying to decide on a rifle for long range F open. I was thinking strait 284 or 280AI but would consider 7wsm or RSAUM. I dont wanna tight neck or fireform. I want something that is easy to tune. Just looking for suggestions. I already have a 6.5-284 so I have small amount of 284 brass already. I have never shot or seen a 280AI shot but it seems like a fine choice for lr F open due to brass already made. I was just looking for die options as well. Thanks, Matt

 

[KT]

You can't go wrong with the .284 or .280AI. Very accurate and the brass last a while! The AI you will have to fire form unless you use the nosler AI brass. I shoot with two guys that run the .280AI and they shoot very well.


Unless you have a lot of time and brass for the rsaum I would stay away from it. I think your going down a road of headache with the 7wsms, and rsaum. Just my 2cents


If it were me I would go with a .284 with a 317 no turn neck. Use the redding comp dies. Get bushings 311 to 313. One of those should be the correct size. You want at least a freebore of .200 for the hybrids. 220 is probably ideal. I have shot both win and Lapua brass. They both work. I prefer Lapua.

KT

 

[DennisH]

+1 with KT

 

[chuckbuster243]

What loads and velocity are they getting with the 280AI? It being a true ackley and not like the 284 Shehane. I should be able to shoot full house 280 loads to fireform if I need to. I am leaning toward it and the strait 284. I have 8 pounds of H4350 and H4831. I have some 168vld's and can get some 180 hybrids. What has been typical barrel life with these two cartridges? Thanks again, Matt

 

[lhead71]

I am getting 2950fps with the 168 VLD form a 24" barrel with my 280AI. Using regular 280 Rem brass fire formed. I am also using Norma MRP powder.

 

[lawman29]

Matt,
I'm also in the process of putting together a rifle for f-open. I decided on 280ai. I've got several boxes of nosler brass, berger 180 hybrids, some H4831sc & RL22 in the cupboard and a Bartlein 32" straight taper from grizzly industrial laying on the floor next to me. After the 1st of the year I'll order a reamer from PTG for a 280ai, nosler brass, no turn neck throated for 180 hybrids. I've got a Defiance action and McMillian MBR on order which should both arrive this coming spring. I've got six months to decide on what scope/reticle to order (Sightron or Nightforce).

I am interested in hearing any recommendations from the guys on dies?? as you asked in your original post.

 

[fvh1]

is it really necessary to go the AI route? I have a std one and am quite impressed.25inch shilen on a nessika bay. clever people here say the longer powder column on the ai makes standard deviation higher. Diffs only 5% to ai? Your views?

 

[Quinc]

.284 and 180 Berger VLD's. Longer barrel rifle and Lapua brass (necked up lapua 6.5x284)

 

[PRECISIONWELDING01]

The RSAUM is a great round was not a headache I have experienced just burns barrels pretty quick do two barrels at a time.with the brass on hand 284 would be the road I would go down you just won't achieve the velocity of the RSAUM which is fine the 284 is accurate round

 

[brxbrad]

Long story short......Do yourself a favor. Go with the .284 and in the words of Forest Gump. "That's all I'm going to say about that...."

 

[KT]

What loads and velocity are they getting with the 280AI? It being a true ackley and not like the 284 Shehane. I should be able to shoot full house 280 loads to fireform if I need to. I am leaning toward it and the strait 284. I have 8 pounds of H4350 and H4831. I have some 168vld's and can get some 180 hybrids. What has been typical barrel life with these two cartridges? Thanks again, Matt

You should be in the 2950 range with the AI. 2850 or so with the .284 you can go faster with the .284 but its hard on brass.

Stick with the 180 hybrids. Don't mess around with the 168's.

You should get around 2000 rounds on the barrel. Maybe more.

KT

 

[dragman]

I have owned two 280AI's, both shot well but tended to be a little touchy and a pain. Not doing any more of the 280AI's

.284's - I have had a bunch over the years and they seem to be about the easiest to tune and mine all shot really well would have no problem shooting another one at all if I ended up with one on a trade or something.

7SAUM - I am currently shooting this caliber - found it very easy to tune and I really like it. I can get more than the .284 without pushing it to the limit and it shoots lights out! given the option this will be the long range 7mm option that I will be sticking with. Low recoil, very accurate, and awesome ballistics

 

[jonbearman]

7 saum ,low recoil? As compared to what?

 

[dragman]

7 saum ,low recoil? As compared to what?

when compared to pushing a .284 up too it's potential. in equal weighted and stocked guns when pushing my .284 to 2950+ fps it tends to get a little punchy, but I shoot my SAUM at 3025fps with the same bullets and it has a little less seems to be a little smoother recoil if that makes any sence. It has a much bigger case and I only am loading 4.5 grains more powder. just what I feel as recoil. to push them both to the same % and get the full potential the SAUM would be much worse, but that isn't why I wanted it.

 

[savageshooter86]

Just curious what speed a 284 can be pushed safely vs 7 SAUM safely?(not brass trashing loads)---assuming say a 30" barrel

How long should primer pockets hold up on both with Lapua brass?

 

[chuckbuster243]

I would say as a question.. With a 30" barrel and max brass life what is the hottest you can run with the RSAUM 284 or 280AI? What are we looking at in barrel life? I need to find some brass no matter which one I run. I figure the RSAUM is out just on that. In my 6.5-284 I shoot mostly Norma but also Lapua and win. I dont mind winchester because I just prep it real well and run with it. Is this the same case in the 284? Is there any win to be had out there right now? Matt

 

[Pappy83]

7mm rsaum has very little recoil I watch my 105 pound daughter shoot one all the time(Tactical shoots) and it is light (12 pounds max) with no trouble. It is easier to tune then any round I have used but brass is very hard to find. It is faster with a 20 inch barrel then our 284 is with a 24 when using 168 or 180 berger vld's. We hoarded saum brass when you could find it so we still use it more because it is hard to beat at 800-1000yds. We push the 168 at 2950ish in a 20 inch barrel the 284 would never do this.

 

[dragman]

.284 - usually 1000-1200 before throat chasing and 1500-1800 for max life in my experiences when running around 2875-2900fps with the 180's

280AI - about the same maybe going south 150-200 rounds sooner and 2925-2950 for speed with the 180's

7SAUM - Around 800 before you chase the throat and 1100-1200 before she's pretty well gone I am running the 180's at 3000-3025

That is just what i have gotten different people get different stuff.

 

[mysticplayer]

280 Improved would be my choice and I came up with a similar wildcat years ago - 7 Mystic

Why? 30-06 brass and larger case volume.

If you want speed, go 100 to 150fps faster then 284 for same brass busting pressures

If you want long life, throttle back to around 284 speeds and see a solid increase in bore life OVER the 284

I have no issues forming brass as this allows me to prep and control all dimensions.

I would avoid the Rem cases as they are not very durable and QC can vary huge from lot to lot.

7-300WSM would be interesting if the goal is the new heavy Bergers. If money allowed, Norma. Otherwise, Win brass and prep as needed,

Jerry

 

[KT]

I would say as a question.. With a 30" barrel and max brass life what is the hottest you can run with the RSAUM 284 or 280AI? What are we looking at in barrel life? I need to find some brass no matter which one I run. I figure the RSAUM is out just on that. In my 6.5-284 I shoot mostly Norma but also Lapua and win. I dont mind winchester because I just prep it real well and run with it. Is this the same case in the 284? Is there any win to be had out there right now? Matt

I have ran Win .284 brass and it shot very well. You need to do alot of prep work to it. The Win brass primer pockets didn't seem to last as long as the lapua or norma. Win brass 5 firings and the primers fell out. I think you will be very hard pressed to find .284 winchester brass.

Spend the money and go with the Lapua.

As far as barrel life. My general rule of thumb is this: If I get 1500 rounds out of the barrel I'm happy. Lets face it. We are shooting 20 to 30 rounds a relay in 90 to 100 degree. That tends to be hard on barrels.

It really sounds like you want the speed of the magnum and the brass and barrel life of the .284. Good luck with that.

I would build the .284 or the .280AI and never look back.

If you still want the balistics and speed you can always build a shoulder busting 300.

KT