Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting What cartridge/bullet/caliber 06 and below is king?

It's got the short/fat powder column, 35 degree shoulder, and '06 powder capacity in a short case that allows more magazine room for high BC bullets to be seated outside the case. It was introduced in the Winchester 88 and 100, which aren't exactly Gun Looney rifles, and gave it a bad start IMO. If it had been introduced 25 years later in a bolt gun it might be all the rage with the more mainstream. The wildcatters and target shooters appreciate the cartridge as a jumping off point for other stuff, but the plain old .284Win doesn't draw much attention from the non-looneys when they can buy a 270/280/'06. At least this makes sense as I type it right now, after returning from the office Christmas party..........

Thanks neighbor. I am wondering whey the 284 folks didn't jump on the 7mmWSM with both feet? It seems it is dying a slow death and brass seems almost impossible to locate and even at high prices.

For a few more good reads on the 284 Win, google:

Jerry Tierney

Charles Ballard

Ryan Pierce

Marty Lobert

Grant Lovelock

---followed by "284 Winchester". All have used it VERY successfully. It may be the most under-rated cartridge out there. You just don't hear much about it, given what it can do.

I do not own a 284 Win. Simply because I'm a 7mm-08 slut from way back. I use custom 7-08 for hunting, and have a custom 7mm RM for LR. That said, if I could own only 1 7mm rifle, it would be a 284 Winchester. When ALL things considered, I think it is the best all-around 7mm cartridge, and has been for a long time.....

If the brass supply issue doesn't bother you, the 284 is a pretty well balanced chambering.

If going that route I would build on a long action though, to capitalize on OAL latitude and maximize available powder space.

A short action would be fine if one mainly intended to stay with bullets below 160 gr or so. With bullets like the 162, 168, 180, and even a 195gr Berger in the works, a long action makes sense to me. Throated for the longer bullets, a long action will let you capitalize on the best BCs available in 7mm, without filling up the case with bullet.

Shane

That's pretty sweet.

When I had 26" of barrel on my heavy 30-06 I was getting 2800 fps with moly'd 210 Berger, over 61 gr RL22. Great balance of velocity, BC, and bullet mass.

That bullet shot really well for me too. A few examples,





In the meantime I've cut my rifle back to 22.5", and am shooting the moly'd 208 Amax over RL17 for 2740 fps.

The 208 shoots well too, an example fueled by RL22 here,



My rifle liked the 190 gr Sierra very well too, that was the bullet I started out with back in 2000. There are higher BC options nowadays,


155gr Scenar,

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v461/montanamarine/30-06%20Targets/Img_7864.jpg[/img]

110gr VMax,

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v461/montanamarine/30-06%20Targets/Img_5159-1.jpg[/img]


Here's a recent pic of my rifle. Scope is a SWFA 12X.

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/alb...90%20ABLR/PC090004_zpsb69e797c.jpg[/img]


Shane

Here's a little video I recently shot while playing with the Nosler 190 gr ABLR in the 30-06, at 1120 yards. MV 2920 fps via RL-17 and 22.5" bbl.

Here's the target, a chunk of moss about 15" wide by 12" tall,



Three minute video here,

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/mon...mail_zpszxmlhzgy.mp4.html?sort=3&o=0

Once a long action is on the table, then the "advantages" of a 284 go right out the window. A plain vanilla 280 beats it everyday.

200fps more than what?



Agreed. I believe Melvin Forbes used to recommend the 284 but has since gone away from it... someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Uhhhh, no it doesn't....

The 280AI has caught my attention...minimum 9 twist...maybe 8.5..27" tube on a LA...308 boltface..AI formed brass from Nosler...std 280 brass from Norma..or '06 Lapua to neck down...IF I went the 284 Win route..Lapua 6.5x284 brass would be used...very good die selection in either choice..what I want is a non mag LR boomer...pretty much settled on 7mm..already have a LR 6.5x55 18# table gun..

What velocities do you get with 140s in the 6.5-284?

I have to admit I'm puzzled by this, too...but never owned a 284 so would like to know.

I get the part about the ability to seat bullets out; but in a Rem 700 action,which is really H&H length, can't you seat long VLD bullets out to greater length in the 280 as well?

I am curious where the extra 200 fps comes from in the 284?

06 case and the 284 case have nearly the same case capacity and nearly the same velocity, but if splitting hairs the shorter powder colum will be ever so slightly more accurate. That is why the 284 case is so popular with competitors.

The 200fps I was talking to Dave.

Long action, the 284 is faster than the 280 for reasons given.

Is it better? For strictly hunting, no. Performance is same whether long or short action.

For LR shooting? Well, I'll let the record(s) speak for themselves. The 284 has been impressive. While the 280 has been a non-factor.....

Yes. It is considered a mo' betta case. Stronger, less stretching, more efficient powder burn, and Lapua brass is available.

Some need to understand, this has a lot more to do with it than how much faster it is or isn't than a 280.......

2950-ish with 142 SMKs.....

I get 3050 and excellent accuracy in my 6.5-06 AI. 24" barrel. No case stretching.

And your point is what?

Let me know when the 6.5-06AI replaces the 6.5-284 in competitive shooting. Or wins anything. Or when Lapua brass becomes available.

The 6.5-284 can easily hit 3050fps. If you want it to.

Again, in a hunting rifle, it really don't matter which you pick....

I thought you said the 6.5-284 was superior? As far as competition, was that what the OP asked?