why 284 than 280 or 280ai?

[BURL]

There seems to be many people using the 284 or 284 imp, why would you go to these cases rather than the 280rem which can push the heavier pills with more ease FASTER holding your BC for a longer period in flight and in turn bucking the wind better ?

 

[flatlander]

Part of the reason may be due to 'follow-the-leader' syndrome, because so many good LR shooters have had such good results with the straight 284.

However, in my experience with three different barrels chambered for the 284, I'd say there's more to it than that. They've all three been among the most consistently accurate barrels I've owned. Maybe it's due in part to the 'short-fat' case shape of the 284 relative to the 280 - who knows? I do know that I'm personally quite satisfied with my 284s, and see no need to go off tilting at windmills by experimenting with a 280 or Ackley just to gain a few fps. With S175MKs and Berger or JLK 180 VLDs, the 2900fps I get with RL17 is enough to be quite competitive at 1000yds.

 

[Preacher]

My 280 don't shoot near as good as any of my .284's will.... it's that short fat case again I imagine...
All my 7mm SAUM's and my one 7mm SAUM-AI will out shoot my 280 also, must be something to that short fat case again.......

 

[TonyR]

It is a good question and different shooters will probably have different reasons for their choices. Potential vertical precision was my main focus and, at least for me, that means using a case with proven match performance and sufficient barrel life to allow for ladder testing and such to tune the rifle. I got started with two rifles, a 6mmBR and a 6.5X284, both purchased used from a friend. My experience with both rifles showed me the value of careful load development but the differences in barrel life made me want something like the 6.5X284 but with better barrel life. That took me to the 284 since I already had the brass, powders and primers and knew that the case was capable of great accuracy. I went to the 284 Shehane instead of the 284 Win because I wanted to be sure that i could comfortably tune at over 2900fps without excessive pressures. If I had already had experience with a 30-06 I might have gone in a different direction such as one of the 280s instead. There are so many possibilities that small steps from something you already know is probably the best course to follow.

 

[BURL]

From some of the above comments I take it a 280 or 280AI is not as accurate round as the 284 or 284imp .

 

[MATSUBOB]

One of the main reasons for 284 over the 280 is the 284 will work in a short action and the 280 will not. Most accuracy shooters prefer to use a short action.

 

[BURL]

Short action may be good for hunting but if you need to seat long with a berger 180vld it would have to be non mag feed single action or a long action

 

[Steve Blair]

My OAL with Berger 180s in .284 is 3.220, just touching the lands. That is not short action territory.

 

[JHardy]

One of the issues you face with a long action is that when the bolt to the rear, it will invade the cheek piece -- even with a relief cut.

I have no experience with magazine fed actions and a 284 based case. With a magazine, I think it is fair to say that a 280 AI would feed better -- maybe a lot better.

Like Tony said, the choice is often based on the brass you are the most famaliar with. With the shorter cases, you can get about all a 7mm needs and very efficiently at that. That efficiency is easier to tune (usually) that a longer column of powder with a lot of air space. Lower ES and SD means less vertical at 1000, and that is the name of the game.

There is sure nothing wrong with a 280 AI, and I know of at least one 1000 yd BR shooter who is doing great with that chambering. On a long range hunt out west or on a bean field setup with a magazine fed rifle, the 280 AI would probably be my pick. Otherwise, my pick for competition would be based on the .284 case.

You really can't go wrong.

Good luck,
Jim Hardy

 

[BURL]

who is the least expensive supplier of the Shehane dies whiandch should I have -- just a full length ?
How much are these dies

 

[Steve Blair]

My Eliseo RTM and Borden long repeater have no problem feeding .284. I use AI .300 Win magazines and have room to spare. No magazine alterations were necessary. The bolt does come close to the cheek piece but does not touch.

 

[people]

sleepygator what is the inside length of your AI .300 Win magazine? I am looking to add a box mag on my 300.

 

[JHardy]

Well, there is probably NO inexpensive supplier of 284 Shehane dies. You can try D&B supply and ask Bill Shehane if he has any dies in stock. You can have dies made up by Jim Carstensen and they do a very nice job. Your gunsmith can make you a set of dies on Newlon blanks if you have a reamer. I currently am using a Warner custom die ($393) and it has no equal. I paid the price and got what I paid for.

Bottom line is that Bill Shehane is probably your best bet for a quick set of Shehane dies if he has them in stock. However, I don't know which dies are the "least" expensive.

Good luck,
Jim Hardy

 

[Steve Blair]

sleepygator what is the inside length of your AI .300 Win magazine? I am looking to add a box mag on my 300.

Mine are approximately 3.650".

 

[280Ackleyrized]

I beg to differ with the 280AI not being "as accurate" as the 284. I have a 280AI(Borden built) that is strictly a hunting rig. .318 for 5 @ 100yds all day long with hunting bullets(140NAB). Never shot for groups at extended ranges but have never failed to hit where I was aiming at longish shots(350 yds+) on whitetails.

 

[BURL]

280Ackleyrized I am looking at the 280AI for 1000 yards but better shooters than myself say the 284 shehane is the way to go and I am listning.It would be easier for me to do 280AI but I want the best round for what I do and that is punching paper

 

[oneflyer]

I have a 280AI that I shoot at 1000 yard matches. I chose this case for several reasons. There is good brass available. Excellent dies readily available. I don't have to maximize case capacity to deliver the velocities I want for the heavier bullets. The fellows that I shoot against that have the 284 or the 284 shehanes are limited to powders that can deliver the velocities they want. As in most cases it's "the nut behind the bolt" that makes the difference in a match. ;D ;D
I just feel its a much more versatile case than the 284 for the longer range disciplines.

 

[Longrange338]

I have a .284 Win cut with a minimum chamber 6.5X284 Norma tooling without the neck part. My once-shot Lapua brass gives 67,45 grein H2O capacity. That is 1,5 greins less than Shehane version. And 200 USD cheaper dies even if you got the Redding Comp + Bushing + Ti-parts + carbide neck opener -way instead of full blown custom Shehane.

I can get 3000 FPS with Berger 180 VLD out of my 27.5" 5R barrel safely with N560. The target speed should be around 2900 fps which you can get easy with .284 loaded long.

Of course you can use .280 or .280 AI but I do not see any gains as this 180 VLD bullet is the heaviest target bullet available and 3000fps or less is all you need in a 7mm out to 1500m (1641 yards to be precise).

 

[bingo1010]

i am on my second 280 ai and love it!! i move the berger 180's at 2950 , i consistently have around 1" or less vertical at 500 meters...so i think that is not bad. i have a 284 as well, i like em both but as posted before you don't have to push the 280 as hard to get the speed you. just depends how fast you want to move the lead.

 

[FroggyOne2]

I am using a strieght .284 Win and using RL17.. my load is 51.8 grs behind a moly'd Berger 180. V = 2930.