Been thinking about getting a .284 barrel for shooting steel out to 1200 yards. Anyone ever mess around with one at long range? If so what bullets are you using?
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Been thinking about getting a .284 barrel for shooting steel out to 1200 yards. Anyone ever mess around with one at long range? If so what bullets are you using?
Good choice for 1000+ yards
Easy on the barrel compared to some other cartridges
One of the more popular cartridge choices for 1000 yd f class
I own one. Have shot to 1,000 in f class. Shoots very well. 32” Brux Barrel. 180 Berger VLD. I think about 2825 FPS but don’t have my data in front of me right now. I know guys have taken them to 1200 yards in competition. There’s several variations of the 284. Doing a search in the fclass comp category will yield a lot of results for bullets, loads etc for that cartridge. Outside of fclass I don’t know many people who own one
I also own a 260. Similar ballistics to the 6.5 Creedmore. Does well at that distance but doesn’t buck the wind like the 284. On a calm day there both accurate with the slight advantage to the 284 due to its design.
Yea I have a lot of 6.5 calibers just wanting something a little bigger for those breezy days with good barrel life without getting beat up by my 338 edge. I figured the .284 would be a good caliber for out to 1200 yards.
It is. Just be aware it’s not night and day difference compared to the 260 in my experience. My 260 can hold its own pretty well. The 260 is a more tactical “prs” style rifle where the 284 is a dedicated f class rifle. In f class the points matter and the 284 is better. But for general steel plinking I use my 260 and it does work good. If I was shooting comp at 1200 then 284 is a decent upgrade. If your just looking for a rifle to plink as a hobby then a 6.5 may be fine IMHO. The next step would be a 7wsm. But not as easy on the barrel. Would provide a more noticeable gain in ballistics without punishing recoil.
The F open class can run 284. The FTR class, 223/308, (same distance and same targets) will many times outshoot the open guys with the 308’s. Depends on the rifle accuracy coupled with the experience of the shooter (trigger control, reading wind and mirage etc). Just an example to show the 284 isn’t that dominant compared to a 308 and a 6.5 generally is a bit better ballistically when compared to the 308
Now that experience is at 1,000. You asked about 1200 yards. The 308 may to slow to hang with the 284 at that distance. Someone with more experience with these cartridges at 1200 may chime in. My 260 shoots well beyond where my 308 did. The 308 wouldn’t even stabilize at the distance I’ve shot the 260. So that may be the result at 1200. Never took the 308 past 1100 on paper. The 260 has gone past 1
mile with good, stabilized hits
284 win and the 284 Shehane (wildcat) are 2 of the top cartridges in Fclass. The 7mm bullets are the reason.
Well this would be another subject that could start an argument. Reason being that while you can in fact shoot quite a few cartridges to distances beyond 1000 yds, the ones that usually do best are the ones using the most powder with heavier bullets.
Ive been using large case 7mms for close to fifty years now for long range hunting. But I also use others as well, and if I were looking for a (good) choice for 1200 yds, it wouldn't be a 7mm or a 6.5 either. But if I were, id just go with a 7mm ultra mag and 160s class bullets. The difference is hitting the target, or HITTING THE TARGET. Not saying the 264 wont, but fact is they aren't easy on barrels either which is a reason they aren't very popular.
But fact is, (and weve proven it) that weight bullet shoots flatter to that distance than do the 180s from any of the larger 7mms.
You've got the best gun for that distance, id just use it.
What bullets are you using in that?
I'm going 284 rem match. I figure by the time NSS delivers the barrel I should be tool,d up and ready to go for the install. I must admit.......I'm having way too much fun with the 6.5 at distance right now.
Disregard my comment on the 284s being hard on barrels, my bad on that as my old mind obviously shifted to the 264.
Fact is though that for other than recoil reasons, larger capacity cases would be better suited for steel targets at those distances.
And then why stop at 1200? lol
I don’t stop at 1200 lol we shoot out to 2000 yards I mainly use the 338 edge or 300 win mag for that. I like playing around at 1200 yards shooting groups and what not. My 6.5-284 does really good out there but it’s a little hard on barrels, plus I need an excuse to build a new rifle lol
Hey, do me a favor ok, next time you shoot to 2000 call me, id like to watch. lolQuote:
Originally Posted by longrangeshooter1
Is a challenge that’s for sure. One of those times it’s better to shoot with no wind at all, my 300 win mag mag shooting 208s at 3056 fps the slightest breeze will have you holding a few mils lol If I knew how to post pics I believe I have a picture of how far away our mile target is.
You need to have the target laying horizontal at 2 thousand for either of those guns, because the bullets are dropping straight down from nose bleed altitude. lol
The shooting part isn't very hard to say or even do. It's the actuall hitting something part that becomes the problem.
I wore the barrel out on a 30x378 shooting at rocks on distant hillsides.
Custom action with a 3 lug bolt, 36" 1.250 10 twist in a block bedded in a heavy bench laminated stock.
113 gr H570, 200 gr SMK=3500 fps. 1500 yds = 145/150 1/4 min clicks from 100 yd zero. 1700, not a mile, =200 clicks= empty tank.
240 SMK W/108 GR H570, 1700= 200 clicks. So as you can see BC = BS at least to a degree, when velocity isn't considered also.
Now lets talk about a 3000 fps Win Mag lol.
BTW, that action now wears a 338, 34" 1'350 10 twist in the same block and stock. 137 gr H50BMG w/300 SMK = 3250+.
1500 is kinda boring, but ive not shot it further and probably wont.
Sons 338x378, 990 Saco 3 lug action, 30" 1"250 varmit taper 9 twist in a block, bedded in a Mc Millan stock.
106 gr Retumbo 300 gr =2950+. 110 gr H570 300 gr= 2975. Very good@ 1500, not very good @ 1700= tank empty.
We can lob bullets to any distance we choose and some days do well, and some days not well, then choose the ones we talk about. lol
I've shot a few matches with the 284 winchester. I found those matches not really of my interest and that's why I'm selling the setup. I was shooting the 180 berger hybrid with reloader 17 and getting around 2850. Keep in mind that my 7mm rem mag shooting the same bullet is going around 2900, so it really is an impressive cartridge.
Psharon97 pm me I have a couple questions to ask you.
You say you have a 6.5x284 ?? that should be all the long range you need !!!!
Haha I need an excuse to build another rifle, just have an action laying around needing a barrel lol
It's not giving me an option to send you a PMQuote:
Originally Posted by longrangeshooter1
Email me Longrangeshooter2@gmail.com if you don’t mind
Quote:
Originally Posted by longrangeshooter1
i am considering the same, scored some brass already, I am thinking 26" #4 Douglas, Wilson, or Savage Magnum for a combo hunting and target. Keep the info coming as your project progresses. All other input is appreciated as well.
WOW! I love my 284 Win @ 1,000 yards. It's a great F/Class 600 yard rifle especially on windy days!Quote:
Now that experience is at 1,000. You asked about 1200 yards. The 308 may to slow to hang with the 284 at that distance. Someone with more experience with these cartridges at 1200 may chime in.
I have a 6.5x284L, 308, 300WSM, 338 Edge, plus a few more. I will mention my 6.5x47L as it's a great F/Class rifle @ 600 yards shooting 123 Scenars!Quote:
I don’t stop at 1200 lol we shoot out to 2000 yards I mainly use the 338 edge or 300 win mag for that. I like playing around at 1200 yards shooting groups and what not. My 6.5-284 does really good out there but it’s a little hard on barrels, plus I need an excuse to build a new rifle lol
To shorten my response, I love my 308 shooting in the F/TR Class with 185 Bergers.
The 300WSM is very respected at 1,000 plus yards.
"HANDS DOWN, WITHOUT OUT A DOUBT", my 338 Edge with a healthy load of Retumbo is my favorite long range rifle, and the most consistent, accurate rifle I own for anything past 1,000 yards. I love shooting 300 grain Scenars, well my rifle loves them!
I also love shooting the 338 with Barnes Triple Shock 160's with a "very" healthy load of RL17! 4,400 fps plus, it's my 22-250 on Steroids, this is what I call it. And definetly feel sorry for anything this bullet hits traveling @ 4,400 fps plus!
I don't have any personal experience with any other Caliber, but if I were to build another long range rifle today, it would be another 338 Edge! JMO, and surprisingly it was very easy to dial in a load. My next choice would be a 300 Win Mag, great hunting round, and I have know a few to shoot the 300 Win Mag in F/Class competitions. I am very impressed with the 300 Win Mag!
Curious, my 338 Edge, 9 twist, 30's length, Bull 1".Quote:
Originally Posted by longrangeshooter1
What twist, barrel, etc., is your favorite with your 338 Edge?
Thanks, Dennis
My edge has a 30” lilja 9 twist bull 1” shooting 300gr Berger Hybrids with a charge of rel 33
I might have to try the RL33. Retumbo is definetly doing the job for me currently.Quote:
Originally Posted by longrangeshooter1
It's totally amazing how accurate these barrels are! Only difference is one is button, and one is cut! Lilja is a great barrel and you rarely ever hear about them! I would use one in a second!
Dennis
Yes I love mine never had a problem with lilja and very easy to clean. You should for sure try rel 33 it will shoot a bit faster and mine is very accurate. What fps you getting from the 300s in yours?
I would have to find my records, but close to 2,900 is ringing a bell. 2,850 to 2,925, somewhere in this area. I know the 160's are 4,400 plus.Quote:
Originally Posted by longrangeshooter1
I have tried anything lighter than 300s in mine, but I have them right at 3020.
Found my records and notes, 2,920 was/is my consistent speeds.Quote:
Originally Posted by longrangeshooter1
Dennis
This is about where others I know are also with 300 gr bullets in the Edge.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis
The 378 case or the 416 case both hold more powder, and even those struggle to get 3000 fps with a 300 using 30" barrels.
My BIL has a 36" barrel on his 338x416 and his tops out at 3050 with H50bmg over an Ohler 35 chronagraph.
Im using about 25 more grains of the same powder to gain 200 fps and throwing the case away after about 3 firings.
As for hunting, in almost 50 years of strictly long range, I only know one guy (who's word I would trust,) who has shot a (buck) in PA at 1 mile.
Shooting at a herd of doe and having one fall over don't count. lol
And he did that using a 338x378 using a 250 gr bullet. He is, or was, a long time 1000 yd shooter, and a machinist by profession during his career. Needless to say, a meticulous guy. His claim is that the 250s are a superior bullet over the 300 due to velocity to at least 1500 yds. We found that to be true in my sons gun also as for trajectory. But his gun is more accurate with 285s or 300 gr even at closer
distance.
So why choose a cartridge needing 25 more grains of powder to gain 200 fps?
Well I stated in an earlier post that I hadn't shot my gun past 1500 yds.
But it has been shot further, just not by me, as I watched thru very large binnocs on a tripod as it was.
Theres also sometimes more to be learned by just watching.
Ive also watched on lots of other occaissions as others were being shot, which is what caused me to choose that cartridge.
What were talking about here actually serves no real purpose for anything much other than entertainment.
But when you come right down to it, that sums up most shooting activities.
This is sorta like drag racing with guns. And as with drag racing, horse power always wins.
Agree, but the "driver / shooter" has a little bit to do with the accuracy, control, and speeds!Quote:
And as with drag racing, horse power always wins
I might try 250 grain bullets in mine just to see. I know a lot of shooters use 250 grain bullets.
What speeds should I expect using 250 grain bullets? Powder recommendations?
I appreciate any information anyone can contribute!
Thanks, Dennis
Certainly the shooter would control accuracy, which is a reason I let somebody else shoot mine.
It is also the reason not very many animals are actually killed at extreme distances, meaning over 1000.
Note that I didn't say I didn't know anybody who hadn't tried at a mile or more in PA.
Good news travels, bad news dosent.
As for load data, where do you find load data for wildcat cartridges?
As a rule it gets passed along among friends, or by a (competent) gunsmith who makes a specialty of those type cartridges.
At best you might find some safe starting point loads somewhere.
I can tell you what ive been told by people like Bruce Baer who makes a good living building these type guns.
First, he will be selective over the parts used, and rest assured the gun has been test fired before you pick it up, or maybe while your standing there watching.
He will tell you the max oal for the specific bullet he recommends you use in the gun. For different bullets, find the oal first.
He will tell you the powder also and a starting point load.
Go home and load 1 round, then another with 1 gr more powder, then others with 1 more grain, maybe 6 loads total.
Go outside and setup your chronograph and don't worry about having a target, a dirt pile at 50' will do.
Shoot each load over the chronograph, and note the velocity. IF, you detect a slight sign of pressure like a heavier bolt lift, stop right there. Back off a half grain and try another. What that accomplishes is that you now know the (max load) that gun will take with that bullet/powder combination. And you haven't spent much time or barrel to get the information. From that point, start looking for accuracy,
not with charge adjustments, but seating depth changes, maybe 5 thou at a time. And do all the accuracy testing at 400 yds min.
Who cares about dime size groups at 100 anyway with guns like those.
With the Chey Tac I was told to stop when the chronograph read 3200 fps because that would be the accuracy node.
Later he said well OK, now see if you can keep the accuracy, and add more powder which I did. But I really wasent gaining much velocity, so we stopped at 3250, but that can vary some gun to gun, which is why you test the way he advises.
So you might find that slight tweeks in powder charge helps some also, but try that later.
You will need certain powders to reach max velocity, so why fool with a bunch of others that wont get you there?
Try other bullets and seating depths first, and if that dosent work, divorce the barrel or be happy.
(Or let somebody else drive the car).lol