284 Winchester / wind cheater target cartridge

[michael_aos]

I've been shooting a 260 Remington since ~2004. Zak finally guided me to the .615 BC Lapua 139gr Scenar @ ~2800fps.

I almost exclusively shoot at small targets out to 425yds and large targets out to 875yds in windy conditions.

Lately I've been accumulating the pieces to build rifle in 284 Winchester. Thinking the .659 BC 180gr Berger VLD @ ~2800fps w/RL17.

With a density altitude (DA) of 8000' @ 875yds with a 10mph wind, we're looking at 32.84" with the 180gr Berger -vs- 37.31" with 139gr Scenar.

Given that I already have -- or have on order -- all the pieces & parts to do a straight 284 Winchester, is there something else out there that I'm overlooking that would be worth changing direction at this point?

 

[USMCj]

Re: 284 Winchester / wind cheater target cartridge

284 is a very nice cartridge, but I wouldnt shoot the 180's out of it. Look at the 162 A-Max's, with a .625BC and much lower cost (vs Bergers) they will do all that you want out to 1300 yards. And you can push them much faster than the 180's.

Now if you are dead set on the 180's, look at the 7RSAUM, it has enough room to push the 180's at 3000fps out of a 28" tube, and you can run it out of a short action.

Hope this helps.

 

[michael_aos]

Re: 284 Winchester / wind cheater target cartridge

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">162 A-Max's, with a .625BC</div></div>

I'm thinking 26" barrel, plus a brake / suppressor.

The 162gr AMAX is an awesome bullet, but I'm not sure it really gains me anything over the 139gr Scenar.

 

[USMCj]

Re: 284 Winchester / wind cheater target cartridge

26" barrel + .284 = not enough speed for 180 Bergers! Bergers like to be 2900fps+ and your configuration is not going to push them fast enough.

 

[michael_aos]

Re: 284 Winchester / wind cheater target cartridge

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">26" barrel + .284 = not enough speed for 180 Bergers! Bergers like to be 2900fps+ and your configuration is not going to push them fast enough. </div></div>

Better late than never for me to ask questions, I guess.

I've got a Remington 700 SPS 30-06 donor barreled-action in an AICS 2.0. 7mm barrel on-order. Hope to have it in 3-6wks. All the pieces & parts to load 284 Winchester.

It so happens our local small-target matches out to 425yds have a 175gr bullet-weight limit, so the 162gr AMAX was on my short-list anyway.

I guess the original question still stands. Since I routinely shoot the 260 Remington anyway, should I be looking at a cartridge other than 284 Winchester for a meaningful improvement in the wind?

Two different sets of rules. Ideally 175gr or less (local), 6mm minimum, 300 mag max & 3200fps max.

 

[USMCj]

Re: 284 Winchester / wind cheater target cartridge

284 + 162 will do you well.

 

[JCH]

Re: 284 Winchester / wind cheater target cartridge

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">284 + 162 will do you well.</div></div>

+1

 

[JRWALLSIII]

Re: 284 Winchester / wind cheater target cartridge

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">26" barrel + .284 = not enough speed for 180 Bergers! Bergers like to be 2900fps+ and your configuration is not going to push them fast enough. </div></div>

I COULD NOT DISAGREE MORE!!!!

Lots of Great FClass shooters are shooting the .284 with 180s now. And MOST are running between 2800 and 2890 fps. I run my 280 AI at 2860 and it is will shoot in the .2s with 5 shot groups at 100 and is great a distance. Faster is not always better. The 284 Win is a great round for barrel like and powder efficency. Most guys are shooting 7WSMs at 2925 with a lot more powderburn and very little gain in velocity than a 284 Win.

You can get 2850 with a 26 inch barrel.

GO FOR IT!!!!

IMO BERGERS ARE A GREAT BULLET. Buy a 100 and try and weight sort them. They will be on the money...EVERYTIME!!!

 

[USMCj]

Re: 284 Winchester / wind cheater target cartridge

The people that run 7WSM (me) are not getting 2925fps, we are getting up to 3050fps. With a 26" tube, he is going to hit pressure before he hits 2900fps. The 162's are a better match for his config. To each his own I guess.

 

[NorCal Vu]

Re: 284 Winchester / wind cheater target cartridge

The guys are having great results with their 284s with the 175gn 7mm SMK.

I believe they are pushed around 2850.

Vu

 

[michael_aos]

Re: 284 Winchester / wind cheater target cartridge

At least noone has said the 284 Winchester is a mistake.

 

[JRWALLSIII]

Re: 284 Winchester / wind cheater target cartridge

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The people that run 7WSM (me) are not getting 2925fps, we are getting up to 3050fps. With a 26" tube, he is going to hit pressure before he hits 2900fps. The 162's are a better match for his config. To each his own I guess. </div></div>

USMC

I am not nocking the 7 WSM. I have shot some real shooters in that caliber. But from most people I know running APA rifles (like you) They are shooting 7/300 WSM and for top accuracy they are running around 2925. My point is this: You can drive a 180 Berger VLD at 2800 and it has the potential to be a true hammer!!! We all try to get the best accuracy while not giving up any velocity for all the obvious reasons.

On a side note. With me living in Florida it is about impossible to get a 7WSM to shoot 3000 plus FPS. I live at sea level and it gets over 100 F quite a bit. So pressure is a concern for me.

 

[300sniper]

Re: 284 Winchester / wind cheater target cartridge

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Vu</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The guys are having great results with their 284s with the 175gn 7mm SMK.

I believe they are pushed around 2850.

Vu </div></div>

yep. 2850 fps with a 175 smk and no pressure signs what so ever. i have 9 firings on my winchester brass and plan to continue firing it. it looks like it will continue to work for a while. i also have no reason to believe that i won't get 2800+ rounds of accurate barrel life with this load like every one else using it. as far as the 180 vld, i don't think it would be difficult to achieve the same velocities as the 175's when stepping up to a 180 grain bullet. it sounds like the 180's work very well in a .284 winchester although i have not tried them because the 175 smks have been working so good. here is an article for the doubters: link

 

[Jon Lester]

Re: 284 Winchester / wind cheater target cartridge

It was not real hard to get my la 284 to push 180s over 2900 with RL7 but getting tight groups there was a struggle.Berger 168s with 4831sc seemed to be the shit for me.

 

[Wild_Bill]

Re: 284 Winchester / wind cheater target cartridge

hi i have shot out 2 284 win barrels in F Class and the 175gr Sierra MatchKings and 180gr Bergers both liked 54gr H4831sc and run between 2840 and 2860 depending on barrels i also shot the 168gr Siera MatchKing and it shot flatter to 1000 yards with 56gr or powder than the 175's i shoot mostly sierra MatchKings as they have worked the best for me and work with jump or jam. The 162gr A Max is Ok aswell but it does not work aswell att he long ranges eg 1000 yards as the 175's and sometimes there are batches of them that just are not up to the accuracy that i expect but bergers and sireeas are.

go for it.
i am using a 7mm Rem SAUM in F Class now using Retumbo and 175gr MatchKings close to sea level in heat up to 110degrees your measurement and getting between 3050 and 3100 depending on the batch of powder if you use the correct powder you are good to go the barrel is 30" long but my last was 27 and was 3050fps.

Hope that helps try the 175gr MatchKing first as you can use it in every match.

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: 284 Winchester / wind cheater target cartridge

for the record I have shot the 180's up to 2915fps with no pressure signs out of my 284 26" 9tw. using 52.2gr rl17 and br2 primers. it seems to be quite accurate but haven't had a chance to really stretch it out yet.

mind you mine is throated long for the heavies I have coal of 3.25" with 180s just kissing the lands.

 

[josephberry]

Re: 284 Winchester / wind cheater target cartridge

I second the Berger 168 with 4831 sc. Never could get the A-max to shoot, or the Reloader-17.