working up a load

[bruce moulds]

had the opportunity to do some load development the other day.
the best accuracy node was discovered without much todo,and it is a good one.
only thing is the velocity is barely 2600 fps!
oh well, accuracy beats speed anytime.
bruce moulds.

[johnk]

Bruce,

That's a pretty brisk velocity for cast lead projectiles.

Seriously, what calibre are you shooting?

John

[bruce moulds]

hi john,
284 win/180 berger.
bruce.

[RDavies]

NO, NO NO, you need to ramp it right up to the velocities all the key board marksmen say they are getting, gotta get 2950 out of that thing dont you know.
The fastest I ever run my 284s is 2820 fps, but have had best accuraccy at 2700fps. Best of all, running at this speed, the barrel has lasted 3 years and doesnt need cleaning through a lead up and Queens.
My fireforming/running in load is just under 2600 fps and has got 2 60s in a row with this light load, brand new barrel/cases.

You might want to ramp it all the way up to the 2700 node though Bruce.

[bruce moulds]

rod,
while we are being men confessing, i had better get a few more things off my chest.
i have been known to jump berger vld bullets.
i have used 2209 in a 284 win.
i intend to try 2217 in a 284.
i full length resize each shot.
i can't tell the accuracy difference between ammo with 0.001 and 0.008 runout.
i use an 30 year old simplex rest
i often don't clean primer pockets.
i don't have a lowrider stock, and prefer it that way.
i like to have my gun high rather than low.
i don't have a cheekpiece stock.
i am thinking of trying a 6.5 based on the 308 case.
ahh. that feels better already. it's amazing how a bit of confessing can lighten the load.
bruce.

[BATattack]

light load should be good for the 15 shot match next weekend bruce!!

i did some testing also . . . . still scratching my head! after looking at a few patterns i decided to bump it up a bit. 3030fps 7saum. the proof is in the puding so see how we go at the bridge

[Seddo]

Anyone care to share their 284 load or a good starting load? I ordered a pac-nor super match 284win 8 or 9 twist (cant remember) savage barrel and its just turned up. I will get it headspaced over the next few weeks and will start load development.

The ADI book lists 2208, 2209 & 2013SC of which i have all on the shelf. I was thinking of using 160-180gr projies.

[RDavies]

Most 284 users run about 51-51.5gns of 2209 and jam VLD bullets .010-.015". CCI BR2 primers are most popular. If your barrel is an 8" twist, go straight to the new 180 sierras or the 180 Bergers.
If you dont like the recoil, or want a milder 300-600yd load, try 49-49.3gns of 2209.

[IanP]

Hey Bruce, I'm running 58gr of 2213SC in my 284S for an accuracy node right where all the keyboard marksmen said it would be at 2940fps. Apart from a little head expansion and loose primer pockets it is one precise little 180gr delivering tool.

I have learnt a lot about case maintenance and pressure signs playing with the 284S and i guess if I would have stayed in 2700-2800fps I would never have picked up. I have discovered the limits of 284 lapua brass and the need to fireform at less than optimum pressure if you want to limit head expansion. All in all the 284S is a pretty good tool and is accurate it seems from 2600-2950fps depending on how much powder you feed it.

Have you tried RL17 in it yet as it just might give you a considerable boost in velocity if you wanna try it. How are the 162gr Amax's going in your 284?

See you at Monarto range with my 162gr Amax's for the 500m at 3000fps and the 180s at 2940fps for the longs.

Confession is good Bruce so tell us about the 162gr Amax bullets and how you are getting on with them.

Adam, those 7mm velocities you are getting may warp the space time continuim, be careful.

Ian

[bruce moulds]

ian,
i've got some 162 amax to try when time permits.
one of the reasons is the price gouging that has been going on with bergers.
looking forward to sat.
looks like a few opens are going to attend - excellent.
bruce.

[BATattack]

Adam, those 7mm velocities you are getting may warp the space time continuim, be careful.

Ian


yeah when PJ gets our new reamer ill acctually be able to run the 3100fps node safely. it really hammers but the cases wernt holding together with the short throat.

[AlanF]

Hey Bruce, I'm running 58gr of 2213SC in my 284 for an accuracy node right where all the keyboard marksmen said it would be at 2940fps. Apart from a little head expansion and loose primer pockets it is one precise little 180gr delivering tool.

I have learnt a lot about case maintenance and pressure signs playing with the 284 and i guess if I would have stayed in 2700-2800fps I would never have picked up. I have discovered the limits of 284 lapua brass and the need to fireform at less than optimum pressure if you want to limit head expansion. All in all the 284 is a pretty good tool and is accurate it seems from 2600-2950fps depending on how much powder you feed it.

Have you tried RL17 in it yet as it just might give you a considerable boost in velocity if you wanna try it. How are the 162gr Amax's going in your 284?

See you at Monarto range with my 162gr Amax's for the 500m at 3000fps and the 180s at 2940fps for the longs.

Confession is good Buce so tell us about the 162gr Amax bullets and how you are getting on with them.

Adam, those 7mm velocities you are getting may warp the space time continuim, be careful.

Ian

Ian,

You should specify that yours is a Shehane. I wouldn't advise that load in a standard 284.

With my Shehane, using 180 VLDs and N165, I'm finding 2880fps is the upper practical limit to avoid loose primers. I haven't found the perfect node yet, but the "least worst" thus far has been the high 2700s. I've had glimpses of something good at the mid 2900s but would probably only use that at match rifle distances and expect to write off the brass in 2 or 3 firings.

When I shot the 1500yds at Coonabarabran, I had 6.5mm 142gn SMKs going at about 3000 fps. The Berger Ballistics calculator suggests I'll get the same capability in the wind with 7mm 180gn VLDs at about 2710fps. So I figure that anything above 2710 is an improvement on the 6.5, with the bonus of better barrel life.

Alan

[IanP]

Alan,

I have added an 'S' after 284-S to show the distinction in my previous post, good point you raised. As for brass life when shot in my chamber/barrel combo at 2940fps, I think it will managed 10 firings even with the abuse I have given these cases.

The cases started showing donuts forming after only 3 firings at the neck shoulder junction. Then by 7 firings the donuts had moved forward and the neck walls thickened. I separate my fired cases in plastic containers into number of times fired and found this movement of brass pretty darn interesting.

I ended up buying a copy of Glen Zediker's, "Handloading For Competition" and suddenly brass maintenance became clear to me. I could accurately measure head expansion and inside ream the donuts out and felt in control of the situation. It seems even with a no-neck turn chamber the 284S requires the neck turning tool to cut a little back into the shoulder to prevent donuts. The alternative is to inside ream when they start to form or do as Zediker does and turn and ream.

The inside reamer is one useful inside neck gauge and I now have them in all the calibres I shoot. The 284S has forced me to gain a better understanding of determining the optimum load and accurately measuring brass to provide data needed to get it right.

If like me, you know the basics of reloading then you really need to go to the next step and gain understanding by getting hold of a book like Zediker's. His book along with Bryan Litz's book I'm sure has cut years from my leaning curve. I think I have now moved from 'L' plates onto my 'P' plates. It could be sometime though before I make it to a full license but I'm having fun!

IanP