Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 284 win

Hello,I've been lurking around for a couple of years now and have learned alot from this forum and enjoyed it.I finally got signed up so here's my question.Why would a person order a 284 win instead of a 7mm08 when according to the Barnes#4 manuel 6.5 grains more powder only gets you 30fps more.I've already got 7/08's and have been reading about resurgence of this caliber.So what's ya'lls take on this caliber.

Bobby,welcome to the CF!

The 284 has greater powder capacity than the 7/08, more like a 280 or 270 and is theoretically capable of higher velocity, such things as equal barrel length and equal pressures,use of optimum loads, etc. being taken into consideration.

This of course will vary with the rifle,and the guy doing the loading,and how much pressure he is willing to accept.

Nosler 6 shows well over 100fps difference.

Because the .284 has a larger case capacity than the 7-08, when loaded to equal pressure the .284 will push the same bullet faster than the 7-08.

Yeah, like Bob said!

My 284 about equals 280 Rem ballistics.
Very little difference in performance.
The BIG + for the 284 is that is can work in a short action.

Bobby,

Another hearty Campfire welcome!

In handloading we all need to remember that each and every rifle is a law unto itself.

Also, The loading manuals are merely a GUIDE. As evidenced by the above, manuals can and do vary significantly.

I have four 7mm/08's and two .284 Win's. I like the 284's a lot. Mostly 'cuz it's such a COOL looking case. In all honesty, anything I can or will do with a .284 can just as easily be done with the 7mm08. But that's just me. (I also have a couple of .280's and a 7x64 Brenneke...)

According to the 1/4 Rule (any increase in powder capacity results in 1/4 that much increase in muzzle velocity, at the same pressure) the .284 should get about 4% more velocity than the 7mm-08, everything else being equal.

For instance, if the 7mm-08 is capable of 2900 fps with a 140-grain bullet in a 24" barrel, then the .284 should be able to get around 3016 fps with a 140 from a 24" barrel.

Personally, I've owned 7mm-08's and .284's and was never all that impressed with the relatively small gain possible from the .284. If you really want a significant increase from the 7mm-08 in a short action, in my experience the way to go is either the 7mm SAUM or WSM. My 7mm SAUM will easily get 3200+ from 140's.

I would like a .284W. The only drawback I can see is that it is essentially a re-loaders cartridge. Doubt there are many choices out there in factory dress if one does not make their own or unfortunately comes up short at the wrong time. With that in mind the 7mm-08 beats it every which way.

Another welcome!

I've had 3 or 4 284's. With the 140 grainers, I could get 3050 with about 55 grains of IMR4350. Pressures seemed moderate and cases lasted forever.

Thanks for the welcome and replies.I am considering a NULA and can't make up my mind on cartridge.I am emptying my safe and looking for an all around rifle with maybe a little cool factor too.I do reload although am not near as experienced as most here.I don't think saimi specs on 284 are as high as 7/08 so I guess that leaves some room to play with in a modern 284 such as a NULA.Feel free to correct me if wrong.Any and all input appreciated.

You want the ultimate cool NULA get one chambered for the wonderful 7x57!
118 years young and still one of the best balanced cartridges out there.
The NULA was designed to handle the 7x57 case as well and that's why the 3" long mag on the Model 20.

Just had a Nula in 7mm-08 but together this past spring. Upon picking it up Mr. Forbes said: "Take it and go shoot just about whatever you want within reason." When I originally said 7mm-08 he never mentioned to go .284W which was his baby at one time.

Bobby,

Talk to Melvin about the .284 vs. 7mm-08 question. Last I heard he was recommending the 7mm-08 because the quality of Winchester .284 brass wasn't quite as good as it was a few years ago. Of course you could neck up 6.5/.284 brass from Lapua or Norma, but that's yet another step and kinda pricey as well.

Oh, and welcome to the Fire!

Thanks everyone. MD I did talk to Mr Forbes,very nice fellow by the way,and he said the main problem with brass was that the necks needed to be turned which he offered to do for me.Talk about customer service.Corbon also makes ammo if in a bind.Just can't make up mind to be practible or cool.I already have two 7/08's.Decisions,Decisions.

I've always thought a NULA in 6.5-284 would be way cool!!! Just to muddy the waters a bit... If I was going 7mm I'd probably lean towards the 7X57AI or the 284.

Welcome Bobby.

The good news is that you literally can't make a bad decision with what's in front of you. There is little to no appreciable difference between the two. I've owned, loaded for, and shot both. If there is an animal alive that would react differently when shot with a 140 from either one I'm not aware of it.

I'd go 7-08 myself simply because of the availability of brass, load data, factory ammo, etc.

p.s. GREAT call on going NULA.

I'm not a gun writer but Mule Deer is right; on the other hand each rifle being a law unto itself, my 284 with a 23" barrel gets a "relaxed" 3100 fps with the 140-gr TTSX, a very lonnnnng bullet and with the "new" R17. Though perhaps a "fast" 284 and thus an anomaly, this is not enough below 7mm SAUM (a very good cartridge I think) in power to notice the difference--just like the difference from the 7mm-08 to the .284. It's a matter of degrees and not always that much as you move to one cartridge above another in the same caliber and the "famous" all-things- being-equal. It's not 'till you get a couple more rungs up the latter that you really may notice the difference in power from your starting point. I.e, say, from the 7mm-08 going to the .280 AI. As mentioned, it--the .284--can be put in a nice, neat, light package; mine weighs just over six pounds with a 2.5-10 aboard, a lot of power for such a light package. The 7mm SAUM, also a short fatty, brings a few more problems to building such a package: feeding issues because of it's girth according to more than one gunsmith. Of course the 7mm-08 suffers from no such problem and can be made up as light as any .284.

Yes, the .284 is a good cartridge but depending on your criteria, no better than the 7mm-08, the 280, the 270, or any other "deer, goat, sheep, elk class" cartridge.

edited to add that from a purely pragmatic perspective you'd go with the '-08 or perhaps the 7x57 as already stated.

If ordering a new rifle I would choose 7/08, but if I came across a good used .284 I would not shy away.

I used to hunt with a friend who had a .284 in a M88 and it was pretty accurate for a danged old lever action.

The reason to buy a 284 is because while a Savage 99 may be pricey in 284, it can be had. The few Savage 99's out there in 7mm08 are just bloody ridiculous in price, plus they're all clip models.

It's not like there's other models of guns that matter...



284 circa 1966:

hey calhoun i know where there is one in 7mm-08 and it staying there grin