Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles .284 Winchester Vs. 7mm-08

The loading manuals go light on the 284 (at least in my opinion/experience). Probably because it started out in the Model 100 and 88 (88 no problem, as the semi autos have).
R17 has been a winner for me in the 284 and the 300wsm.
jmho
Tim

I've read that RL-17 with its smooth pressure curve, won't show pressure signs as quickly as some other powders. It's been said, when you DO see pressure signs with RL-17, you're WAY over where you need to be.

No pressure testing by me, just passing it on, just saying...

DF

I keep and eye on the chrony also.
I don't pursue pressure signs, I just watch for them and react if they show.
I interpolate data when I have multiple sources and personal experience to work with.
One complete case separation was enough for me. And I was well within book data. Could be I made a mistake, but I do a lot of double checking when loading ammo. soooooo???
Tim

Same here. For hunting only,I'm still on the same 50 pc I started with almost 15yrs ago. I have some more brass if and when I will ever need it.

You're an adult, so you can spend your $$ any way you want. If you believe that the 284 is significantly superior to the 7mm-08, by all means, go with the 284.

The fact is that the only current factory load is Winchester/Olin's 150 grain PP that is launched at 2,860. Comparing Winchester/Olin 284 and 308 150 grain factory loads shows that the 150 grain 284 PP has slightly more muzzle velocity than the 150 grain 308 PP, 2,860 vs. 2,820, and a flatter trajectory due to a bullet with higher BC, but the difference is not significant.

You're right about the 284 having panache and if panache is an important component in your decision hierarchy, then the 284 is clearly the right cartridge for you.

The 256 Newton is my panache cartridge. No factory ammo, cases take time to form, the 6.5-06 is both faster, but not significantly, and easier, significantly, but it just doesn't have the panache of a Newton.

I own and load for 7-08, 7-08AI, and 284 win - all in bolt action rifles. Have for several years. You can safely get about 50 fps over a std 7-08 by going AI. You can safely get another 70-100 fps over that by going to a 284 win. I think MD is being a little conservative with his 4%, but that is close. Based on my experience with all 3 cartridges, I personally like the 7-08AI best. It seems to be a very efficient cartridge. Even moreso than the std, and is close enough to the 284 win/280 rem that it is moot. My wife took a decent 5x5 bull at 318 yds with a 7-08AI using 140 gr TSX in 2009. MV was around 2950 fps. One can safely and easily add 100 fps to that in a 284 win. But it takes about 8-10 more grains of powder to get that. All 3 will do anything I will ever demand from a cartridge and then some.

Aside from the fact that this thread is about the 7-08 NOT the 308 the only response I have is:

WHO on earth is shooting/hunting FACTORY 284 Win ammo?

I am shooting factory 284 ammo because I found 180 rounds of it at $30 per box. It was the only way to get brass at the time. But saying that, once it's all gone that will be the last of the factory stuff for me. The 150 gr PP works well in the eastern woods.

By chance I rebarreled a M77 Ruger tang safety from 6mm Rem to 284 win 30 years ago. I have the late Harry Lawson to thank for the suggestion to try the 284 win. The rifle was a perfect match for this cartridge never showed any feeding issues cycling the bolt fast or slow. (see Charlie Sisk's video on proper feeding)

Over the years I wore out three barrels. Killed many elk, coues wt and javelina not to mention jackrabbits.

When a friend got a Ultralight arms model 20 with a 3.1" magazine, I decided that I had to have it too. My gunsmith, Joe Reid, at Lawson's lengthed the magazine to 3.1". My OAL is 3.050"

In recent years switched to heavier higher BC bullets. I use moly which seems to help lessen fouling in the rem takeoff barrels I rechamber. Here are some of the loads:

OAL of approx. 3.050" Winchester brass fed 210 match primer barrel is 23". ALL bullets mentioned are moly coated.



168 VLD and H4350
53 gr 2755
53.5 2785
54 2808
54.5 2840 most accurate

162 A-max and H4350

54.5 gr 2720
55 2750
55.5 2780 most accurate

----------------------------
168 VLD and RL-17

53 gr 2816
54 2860
55 2940
56 2985 most accurate
57 3025

168 Berger classic hunters and RL-17

55.5 gr 3000
56 3015
56.5 3032 most accurate
57 3050 over the top

162 A-max and RL-17

56gr 3035
57 3060
58 3115 most accurate

160 accubond and RL-17 testing temperature was 92 degrees

55 gr 2970
56 3020
57 3060 most accurate

------------------


Found an excellent load that worked well for our warmer part of the year with 150 nosler ballistic tip and 57 gr of RL-17 velocity 3100 fps

------------------------
Just ordered a reamer as I now do the work myself. Looking forward to putting barrel #4 on this old rig.

My initial post pointed out that if you shoot factory ammo, the 284's performance makes it nothing more than an expensive to purchase and expensive to shoot 308. At least, that is how I interpret the data on Winchester/Olin's ballistic tables.

I've never met another 284 shooter at the range or in the field, but based on the number of people who regularly ask to buy 125 grain Winchester/Olin factory ammo from my horde of ten cases, quite a few Savage 99 and Winchester 88/100 owners are shooting factory ammo.

A 162 amax at 3100fps is nothing to sneeze at...very nice. It seems a 284 on longer, strong action is a good way to go. That kind of speed is right there with the 280ai (looking at nosler's data).

I've never had any of Noslers data live up to their numbers. 3,100 162's would be a cruise missile.

Understood...granted I've never played with a 280ai either, just day dreaming about a faster 7mm than the one I have.

It's also important to always remember nosler's data is in a 26" barrel.

Maybe longer!!

I had to fight hard to pass on the 280AI. Went old skool 7RM.

Easy, Peasy in a 7 RM (24" bll.)

I have found that 280 performance was best found in a 280. From function to feeding it makes a whole lot more sense. In every respect.....

W

Fingers crossed!