(Yet Another) Straight .284 vs Shehane Thread

[CarlGeorge]

I currently shoot a straight .284. Application is pure F-Class - midrange and long range. As is typical in this hobby, what started out as an effort to plan out a "simple" rebarrel has been like pulling a thread on a sweater. This decision will result in me getting a reamer - so I really want to think this through since I'll be living with it for multiple barrels.

As a result of a weird turn of events (which are too boring and, frankly, irrelevant to the decision), I need to decide between a Straight .284 or a .284 Shehane.

I've read numerous threads, in this forum and other sites as well, on this decision. I think I'm familiar with the basics: Essentially, greater case capacity enables (but typically doesn't require) faster velocities....meaning good-shooting Shehane nodes can be found at slower velocities (2750-2800)....but can be pushed to 2900+. With the Shehane you've got to fireform brass - although accurate loads can be had even for the fireforming process.

As I look at the dates on various posts, I'm *kind* of concluding the Shehane isn't quite as popular now as it was a number of years back. Is that true? It sounds like people aren't seeing the extra velocity as delivering that much more incremental performance on target.

As sort of a humorous aside - right before posting this thread - I searched on Shehane across the whole forum - and the majority of initial results were postings in the Marketplace: Shehane dies for sale. Shehane brass for sale. etc. So that datapoint alone might point to the answer of my question.

Other than increased velocity, does the Shehane have any advantages over a Straight .284? Are there disadvantages? (I'm gonna be getting a custom sizing die in either case.....so in my case...."Needing a custom sizing die." isn't a disadvantage for the Shehane....I'll be getting one whether I decide Shehane or Straight.)

Thanks!

 

[LVLAaron]

The guys I know shooting Shehane are at the same speeds they'd shoot a straight 284 - lower pressure, longer brass life.

 

[Sandstorm]

I shoot a Shehane...I shoot at almost the same speeds as the 284 Win.
If you dont your brass wont live very long...I wouldnt switch but thats just me.
No reason not to shoot a straight 284 in F-Class.

 

[1shot]

I've been shooting a Shehane for several years with good sucess. The fireform is very mild, blowing the case out .010" at the shoulder. I've shot multiple high 190 scores at 1K using fireforming loads. I run a higher node than some (2,900+) and the brass started to fail at the neck shoulder junction after 9 re-loads, but the primer pockets were still snug. This is using older Lapua 6.5x284 brass necked up.
I hope this helps,

Lloyd

 

[Willow]

I went with the Shehane over the straight 284 for a couple of reasons:

1. Less pressure at the straight 284 high node
2. Less pressure equals longer brass life

 

[CarlGeorge]

Thanks for the info. I very much appreciate it.

I'm leaning toward sticking with the Straight. As I think through the switch things are seeming to cascade (for example: gotta get a bullet seater cut, etc.). I feel like I just got everything dialed in with my current equipment for the Straight .284. I wanna spend more time practicing my wind calls as opposed to load development.

Thanks again.

 

[One Eye Pete]

Originally I went with the Shehane over the straight 284. My thoughts being that I could get higher velocities if necessary and if I didn't need the high velocities I would get better brass life. When I first started shooting it I was running the high node at 2900+. The gun shot OK but the node was not very wide which tended to make the gun finicky. After more experimentation I ended up finding a much wider low node at right around 2800. At this velocity the gun shot better, was much easier to keep in tune, and brass life is excellent.
Fire forming for the Shehane really wasn't a problem as I fire formed while breaking in the barrel and the accuracy of the fire forming rounds were good enough to shoot at club matches.
As far as a sizing die for the Shehane I went with one from F-Class products (non bushing die) and it is excellent.
In retrospect if I had to do it over again I would probably go with the straight 284. The Shehane does offer increased velocity, but as it turns out I don't need it. With lower velocity loads brass life might be slightly better but the straight 284 is just simpler to work with.

 

[Ackley Kid]

I’ve shot both . Shehane at the high node is tough on brass . Shooting 4350 at the low node there isn’t much difference in velocity or accuracy. Straight 284 is as simple as it gets and wins lots of matches . Tons of load data for both . Component shortages make the straight 284 shine brighter these days for me .

 

[Ringostar]

Since you’re ordering your own reamer. Here’s something to consider. Instead of getting a custom sizing die. I got a standard 284 die from Whidden, then ordered a reamer to match the die.

 

[Rope2horns]

I've shot the Shehane a little....My advice would be if you are already tooled up for a straight 284 stick with it. The extra cost alone to re-tool isn't worth it. But if you wanna tell everyone you shoot the Master Race cartridge then by all means join our small crowd!

 

[johnnyi]

I've shot the Shehane a little....My advice would be if you are already tooled up for a straight 284 stick with it. The extra cost alone to re-tool isn't worth it. But if you wanna tell everyone you shoot the Master Race cartridge then by all means join our small crowd!

^^^^ -------I would strongly advise listening to this guy! No one in the business has shot more into the X ring from a Shehane than this young fella!