New .284 Build

[Jud96]

Sounds like a fun package Jud.

The 284 was so far ahead of its time back in 1963. Imagine a 35 degree shoulder back then! I cut into a Winchester case years ago and found the wall thickness just above the web to be thicker than Winchester's 300 win mag.

I have had a 284 since early 80s. Have used up a few barrels and killed many coues wt, javelina and several elk not to mention jackrabbits and coyotes.

Current one is with a 23.5" barrel, a set back and rechambered 7-08. Shoots Berger hunting 168 VLD @ 2925 fps with 52 gr of RL-17. Fed 210 primers.

I had so many Winchester pieces I opted to order a reamer with a .315" neck so I could turn the necks. OAL right at 3.050" to fit and feed from SA. Throated so 168 VLD is .010" into lands. Base of bullet is very close to neck shoulder junction.

I would love to get some of the norma 284 brass but with over 600 pieces of old win brass there is no need.

Are you going to hunt with the 180 ELD-M?

Looking forward to hearing more on your project.

I really like this cartridge a lot. It really was ahead of its time, considering a lot of modern cartridges utilize very similar case designs.

I plan to use the 180 ELD for everything, including hunting whitetail. I have personally had and witnessed a lot of excellent performance from the ELD bullets on deer.

Sounds like an awesome build! Looking forward to your results. It will be interesting how the 180 performs for you.

Thanks man! I'm really excited to shoot it and see how it does. I have no doubt it will be a good rifle and a shooter. I also am looking forward to testing the 180 ELDs and seeing how they perform on paper, at distance, and on game.

Keep us posted I love my 284. 22" shooting 168 vld classic hunter at 2800 shoots one hole at 100 if I do my part. I shot a 1.75" group at 400 with it that was as far as the range went and just killed an elk at 919 with it. Oh ya Im running a can on it also that's why the shorter barrel

Man that sounds like a great shooter! I'll be really happy if mine shoots like yours does. I keep hearing nothing but great things about how well the .284 shoots. From hunting rifles to F-Class builds, the .284 just shoots.

 

[Jud96]

I have a few updates to this build. The Smith has my barreled action and all of the components, and I should have the rifle back within the next few weeks! I have also changed my mind on barrel length, originally I was going to do a 25" barrel, well now I'm going to do 26". Bartlein lists the #3 contour as being 0.670 at the muzzle on a 26" barrel. Well mine was 0.675 at 27". And my brake was listed as 0.750 and it actually measured 0.735. I honestly don't mind at all, I just crunched the numbers and the barrel at 25" with the threads cut on it will be aweful close to that 0.735 mark. I want to play it safe and go 26" and have my smith blend the brake to the barrel contour.

My final update is I sold my Vortex HS 4-16x44 and I'm going to put the Vortex HS-T 4-16x44 off my .308 Norma on the .284 and put a Sightron 4-20x50 on my Norma. My .308 Norma is my primary long range rifle and I was needing a little more power for 700+ yard shots. I'm really impressed with the glass and overall specs and build of the S-TAC my Dad has on his 7mm Rem Mag so I think this will be a good move for both rifles.

I'll keep everyone updated as the build progresses. I also wanted to add, I plan on trying RL23 to see how it does. I think I'll be able to reach my targeted velocity with it. It's also temperature stable and I can find it in 1lb and 8lb jugs locally. I haven't been able to regularly find RL26. I have about 8lbs of 26 now, but I shoot it in a couple rifles already and don't want to dwindle my supply any sooner then I have to. If I'm able to pick up a few more pounds of RL26 or get another 8lb jug within the next month I won't mess with RL23, but for now that's my plan.

 

[VLD Pilot]

Don't neglect the RL 17. For the 180s, it's amazing powder. You'll get real close to 2900 with that 25" barrel.

 

[Jud96]

Finally got out today and shot this rifle. It has been one of the busiest years of my life and I have slowly been working on this rifle. I'll post pictures tomorrow of it. Today I tested 180gr ELD Match bullets loaded with RL26 in Peterson .284 brass lit with Federal 210Ms.

I loaded 3 shots each at 54.5, 54.8, 55.2, 55.5, and 55.8 grains. Seating depth was roughly .015 off the rifling. Below is a photo of 4 groups. I had to site the rifle in, so used 54.5 to do that. Bottom left is 54.8, Bottom right 55.2, Top right 55.5, and Top Left is 55.8 grains. Please ignore the random shot on the paper between the two right dots, not from me haha.

I was running out of time, so all of these shots were fired basically one after another. As you can see, ES tightens up as the velocity increases. I had no pressure signs, so I'm going to test 56.0 grains next. I believe accuracy will be better when I take more time and let the rifle cool between shots. Nonetheless, great results for the first 15 rounds down range.

Velocity Data:

54.5gr 2760fps ES: 25

54.8gr 2795fps ES: 21

55.2gr 2817fps ES: 16

55.5gr 2843fps ES: 12

55.8gr 2857 ES:9

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Looks like your off to a great start! Those are some pretty impressive velocities for a 180!

 

[Jud96]

Rifle pictures

 

[hunter67wa]

Well Jud I would sell that good shooting good looking rifle and start over as I would by it from you. lol Looks like you have a winner! It will be fun

 

[BEEMAN]

Just the kind of numbers I was looking for. My 284 build should be chambered by weeks end. Went with a 24" benchmark. Happy to hear you're getting good accuracy and velocity with R26. Got a 8 pounder waiting for this gun. I'm leaning towards running the 143 or 155 hammer hunters. Anyone have a guess how fast a 284 would shoot these bullets out of a 24@ barrel with R26? Great looking rifle and glad it's performing good for you.

 

[VLD Pilot]

Just the kind of numbers I was looking for. My 284 build should be chambered by weeks end. Went with a 24" benchmark. Happy to hear you're getting good accuracy and velocity with R26. Got a 8 pounder waiting for this gun. I'm leaning towards running the 143 or 155 hammer hunters. Anyone have a guess how fast a 284 would shoot these bullets out of a 24@ barrel with R26? Great looking rifle and glad it's performing good for you.

Your running 143/155s in a 284 ? If that's not a misprint, you'll get 3100 with the 140+ and real close to 3000 with the 155s. They seem light for the 284 with RL26. I kinda figured the RL26 for heavier bullets 160-175s.

 

[BEEMAN]

Thanks for the information. Yeah I want to run a 143 or 155. I built a switch barrel gun and the problem is it's a short action. Will work good for the 6 Dasher but not great for the 284. Wanting to go with a shorter lighter bullet so I don't take up to much case capacity. If I can run either of those bullets at 3000 fps or more I'll be very happy. It will have a Wyatt extended box as well.

 

[VLD Pilot]

Thanks for the information. Yeah I want to run a 143 or 155. I built a switch barrel gun and the problem is it's a short action. Will work good for the 6 Dasher but not great for the 284. Wanting to go with a shorter lighter bullet so I don't take up to much case capacity. If I can run either of those bullets at 3000 fps or more I'll be very happy. It will have a Wyatt extended box as well.

Never knew they made a 143 in a .284 bullet. Not even sure I've seen a 155.

 

[VLD Pilot]

You mentioned Hammer hunter. Never looked into those. Have heard of them tho.

 

[BEEMAN]

Yes the hammer hunter. Guys are having very good luck with the 143 gr on elk. One guy was shooting them at 3650 fps out of a 28 Nosler! I think that bullet at your estimated 3100 fps would be great. I could also go up to the 160 gr sledge Hammer.

 

[AZShooter]

Say Beeman.... are you mixing up a 6.5-284 with the 284 mentioned here? 143 gr and 155 bullets are 6.5 cal bullets.