Starting loads for a 284win

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AlanF
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Re: Starting loads for a 284win

#16 Postby AlanF » Wed Jul 27, 2016 10:39 pm

ben_g wrote:Alan

Thanks for the info on the 175gr SMK, did you use 2209 with them?? What minimum charge weight would you start with in a Barnard action?

Do you find sorting of the sierra's by bearing length necessary?...

Ben,

Yes 2209 mem5529, 53gn but I'd start at 50 to 51. Regarding sorting, I used to do it with 6.5mm 142gn SMKs because they varied by up to about 0.010". However all 7mm 175s I've measured have been very consistent, so I don't sort them.

ben_g
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Re: Starting loads for a 284win

#17 Postby ben_g » Thu Jul 28, 2016 11:44 am

Thankyou Alan.

I will use the 175s and 50gr of 09 to get me started.

People seem to have positive things to say about the 175's but not a lot to say about the 180Sierras. Are they worth trying??

Is it still worth running a light bullet and light load for the
Initial firing? I have heard this prevents primer pockets loosening with subsequent firings. It's this still the case?

AlanF
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Re: Starting loads for a 284win

#18 Postby AlanF » Thu Jul 28, 2016 1:45 pm

Ben,

The main thing against the 180 SMK is that despite its heavier weight, it has no ballistic advantage over the 175. I bought 500 of them several years ago, and every now and then try them in barrels which don't seem to like Bergers and SMK 175s, but have never hit the jackpot with them. However they have been used very successfully in the past by Marty Lobert and probably others in FNQ.

Yes its generally considered a good idea to "run in" your brass with lighter bullets and moderate loads. There appears to be some amount of hardening of the head area of brass after several firings, and 284 Win seems to be particularly vulnerable to pocket expansion using heavy bullets at maximum loads.

ben_g
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Joined: Sun Apr 24, 2016 7:37 pm

Re: Starting loads for a 284win

#19 Postby ben_g » Thu Jul 28, 2016 2:34 pm

Thanks so much for the good info Alan!!

With the light load for 'running in ' brass can I do it with the 175's or should i use something like a 162gr Amax?

AlanF
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Location: Maffra, Vic

Re: Starting loads for a 284win

#20 Postby AlanF » Thu Jul 28, 2016 3:00 pm

Ben,
The main thing is to use a load light enough for whatever bullet you use. 2209 is a relatively fast powder which is good. You're best to use bullets that are not your most valuable - keep them for when the brass is fully formed. e.g. you could run the 180s at 48 grains and that would be easy on the brass.

Brad Y
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Re: Starting loads for a 284win

#21 Postby Brad Y » Thu Jul 28, 2016 4:32 pm

Develop a light load with 168 bergers and use them at short ranges to give your brass those few soft firings. I do that in 284 shehane brass and it seems to be working well. 2900fps with 168's is mild and still has better performance than a 6.5x47L with 140's

KHGS
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Location: Cowra NSW

Re: Starting loads for a 284win

#22 Postby KHGS » Thu Jul 28, 2016 5:16 pm

I have had very good results with 180SMK bullets in my 280HI rifles. Unlike Alan I do base to ogive batch all bulk pack Sierra bullets, there are often bullets from more than one machine in these packs. The variation in BTO of these bullets can give unfavourable vertical at ranges past 600yds. I also like the 175SMK bullets. :) :) :) :)
Keith H.

ben_g
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Re: Starting loads for a 284win

#23 Postby ben_g » Fri Jul 29, 2016 8:19 am

Keith and Alan, have your found a go to seating depth for the Sierras?

I have found with the VLD Bergers in my 6.5mm a 0.010 jam is the place to start.

The 175 Sierras are looking attractive as hopefully i can jump them..... Question is where to start??

I am surprised the Sierra 180 does not give some ballistic advantage over the 175, it looks a lot like a VLD ogive.

KHGS
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Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:46 am
Location: Cowra NSW

Re: Starting loads for a 284win

#24 Postby KHGS » Fri Jul 29, 2016 8:57 am

ben_g wrote:Keith and Alan, have your found a go to seating depth for the Sierras?

I have found with the VLD Bergers in my 6.5mm a 0.010 jam is the place to start.

The 175 Sierras are looking attractive as hopefully i can jump them..... Question is where to start??

I am surprised the Sierra 180 does not give some ballistic advantage over the 175, it looks a lot like a VLD ogive.


I shoot every bullet with .015" to .020" jam, but the Sierras will shoot with a .015" to .030" jump.
Keith H.

Steve N
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Joined: Tue May 14, 2013 8:16 pm
Location: Gippsland Victoria.

Re: Starting loads for a 284win

#25 Postby Steve N » Fri Jul 29, 2016 7:16 pm

KHGS wrote:
ben_g wrote:Keith and Alan, have your found a go to seating depth for the Sierras?

I have found with the VLD Bergers in my 6.5mm a 0.010 jam is the place to start.

The 175 Sierras are looking attractive as hopefully i can jump them..... Question is where to start??

I am surprised the Sierra 180 does not give some ballistic advantage over the 175, it looks a lot like a VLD ogive.


I shoot every bullet with .015" to .020" jam, but the Sierras will shoot with a .015" to .030" jump.
Keith H.


Everyone's jam is different depending on how they determine it and as far as I know Alan has a 284 Shehane and uses Moly so load for a 284 should be worked up with that in mind. Alan's suggested fireforming load of 48gr of 2209 with a 180gr Berger VLD has given me very good accuracy at shorter ranges. I have fireformed most brass with that load and it has been very good from 300 to 500 yards. From there work up and see what works in your barrel. Faster is not always better.
Steve


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