SA long range hunting caliber

[Tarheelpwr]

I was on the fence the same as you with the SA. Here's the article that put me over the edge:

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek095.html

I'm doing my LW rig on a SA in 284 next year. I may give up a little performance, but 2800 - 2850 should be doable in a SA with 168s; I'm not interested I 180s. That's not MAX, but is still rather have a 168 running at 2800 than a 140 from a 6.5CM / .260 at 2800.

[BFish22]

I admit that I don't know anything about the .284 besides that I assumed it was a long action caliber. How does the .284 compare to the 7mm-08? I guess using lapua brass the 284 I'd be sizing up and the 7mm-08 I'd be sizing down from 308. I never sized brass so I don't know which would be easier to learn but that should probably go in another board.

[Tarheelpwr]

I admit that I don't know anything about the .284 besides that I assumed it was a long action caliber. How does the .284 compare to the 7mm-08? I guess using lapua brass the 284 I'd be sizing up and the 7mm-08 I'd be sizing down from 308. I never sized brass so I don't know which would be easier to learn but that should probably go in another board.

.284 will get you 100-200 fps more than a 7mm08; prob more like to 150-200. For brass, if you want Lapua, I would just get 6.5-.284 brass and use that ... it will prob feel a little dirty taking 6.5-284 brass back to the parent case :)

If you want easier more convenient, 7mm08 would fit your needs as well and be an off the shelf alternative. You could even likely use the factory barrel.

[stomp442]

I was on the fence the same as you with the SA. Here's the article that put me over the edge:

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek095.html

I'm doing my LW rig on a SA in 284 next year. I may give up a little performance, but 2800 - 2850 should be doable in a SA with 168s; I'm not interested I 180s. That's not MAX, but is still rather have a 168 running at 2800 than a 140 from a 6.5CM / .260 at 2800.

There is very little difference between the two ballistically as far as windage and trajectory are concerned as they have nearly identical BCs. There is only a slight advantage in energy with the 284 as the heavier weight bullet accounts for more down range energy but it does so using more powder and generating more recoil. If you really want to beat a 6.5 by any substantial margin you have got to use a 180, and again generate even more recoil with a heavier bullet to do it.

[Tarheelpwr]

There is very little difference between the two ballistically as far as windage and trajectory are concerned as they have nearly identical BCs. There is only a slight advantage in energy with the 284 as the heavier weight bullet accounts for more down range energy but it does so using more powder and generating more recoil. If you really want to beat a 6.5 by any substantial margin you have got to use a 180, and again generate even more recoil with a heavier bullet to do it.

Those are valid points. Even with 180's, I don't think anyone would call a 284 a thumper though. It's also not a very big jump from 168s to 180s either. But it is more recoil none the less. The 7mm has 20% more energy. That's enough to take note in my book. Either way, I would not argue that a 6.5 won't get the job done though. I just like the flexibility that larger offering gives.

Part of my criteria for my personal .284 is that it's a sheep gun when I'm in bear country. Even it is far from ideal, but every little but helps.