.284 Win - Long Action Possibilities

[filmjunkie4ever]

Have a close friend who has had the .284 Winchester on his mind a lot lately. He’s looking for a long-action push feed M70 to build this on.

The idea is to load 160-168 grain bullets to a COAL of approximately 3.150-3.225” and put as much Ramshot Hunter in the case as it will safely take.

A Lilja or Douglas barrel cut to 25-26” long, and put into a McMillan or Bansner stock. Flute it to keep weight down if necessary. Fast twist 1-7” or 1-8.”
Timney trigger if we can’t get the factory trigger properly tuned. Talley aluminum rings.

Put a VX-5 or Mark-5 scope on top dialed for reaching out there a ways.

I’ve got to admit, I like the .284 and think this would be a good idea. What does the brain trust here believe we could do with such a setup?

I’m thinking minimum we should be able to do 2800-2850 fps with a 162 ELDX or 168 Berger VLD Hunter. Maybe even give the 175-180 grain bullets a go? Thoughts?

 

[JD338]

Why not just do a 280AI?

JD338

 

[DrMike]

I built my 284 on a long action push feed Model 70. I chose to load primarily 140 and 150 grain pills. I am getting near 2900 fps with the 150 grain ABLR and ~0.5 MOA. I'm certainly not pushing the load. There is perhaps more horsepower available if I wanted to rev it up. However, I'm content with what it is producing. It is a lovely rifle that is a joy to carry. Funnily enough, I haven't killed a thing with it. I may have to fix that deficit this fall.

 

[SJB358]

Why not just do a 280AI?

JD338

I like the 284 in principle, but the plain old 280 Rem or Ackley is a whole lotta good in a LA M70 FJ. 30-06 Lapua brass, necked down makes some fabulous 280 or blown out, 280 Ackley brass with no neck thickness issues. If he just has to have the 284, I'd say go for it, but feeding and such is such a breeze stick with the 280 or 06 sized case, a long mag box in the 70 will let you situate any bullet you want and a good 1-8 or so barrel will just be a great set up and it shouldn't break the bank for dies and brass or ever be hard to come by. Just my thoughts and I have thought 100X's about doing a 284, but the 280 always wins out.

 

[gerry]

A good reason for the 284 Win over the 280 AI is you can load the bullets way out instead of having to deal with seating your bullets deep because you run out of room in your magazine with the longer round. Now that there is top notch brass from Lapua and Petersen the 284 makes a lot of sense and it comes pretty close to the speed of a 280 AI without the headaches.

 

[DrMike]

Good point, Gerry. To be sure, the 284 Win and 280 Rem are ballistic twins for all practical purposes. There is just the cool factor with the 284 of using something that is somewhat rare in the fields today.

 

[Blkram]

Should be an interesting project!
I would think that you should be able to achieve the results you are looking for with the 160/162gr bullets on the higher velocity end of the scale. I've read that this is the sweet spot for the 7mm caliber. But that article was written long before the long, sleek bullets with higher BC's were coming out.
But as with any rifle/cartridge combination, you won't know until you try it, to see if it will actually produce what you are hoping for. Some rifles prefer more velocity to get good accuracy, while in many cases, a little slower will net improved accuracy results.
Is he looking to use it for long range practice and hunting? Or just long range target practice?
Might want to get some QuickLoad data to verify potentials for the other bullet weights mentioned, and possibly some of the newer powders...and see what difference the slower twist barrels may produce (sorry, do not recall at this moment if QuickLoad can calculate for the twist too...)

I personally haven't played with the 284 much, having owned just one 284 in the Model 88 and pretty much shot factory ammo out of it while I had it...but was researching the load data for it as I had dies and components to work up a load...although I was primarily looking at sticking to 150 gr hunting bullets in it.
Otherwise, I have mostly stuck with the 280 Rem myself too in a LA for this performance level. And I liked the on-game performance I've gotten with 160/162 gr bullets at approx 2800 fps over the years. Has worked very well.

 

[gerry]

Good point, Gerry. To be sure, the 284 Win and 280 Rem are ballistic twins for all practical purposes. There is just the cool factor with the 284 of using something that is somewhat rare in the fields today.

I never really paid attention to the 284 until I saw a post on the Rokslide forum from a guy who put one together on a Tikka action. Was very impressed with his results.

 

[SJB358]

I never really paid attention to the 284 until I saw a post on the Rokslide forum from a guy who put one together on a Tikka action. Was very impressed with his results.

On a Tikka, I absolutely get the 284! That is a seriously good platform for that cartridge.

160 AB 280 Rem 22" barrel RL26

Cartridge : .280 Rem.
Bullet : .284, 160, Nosler AccuBond 54932
Useable Case Capaci: 58.204 grain H2O = 3.779 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.330 inch = 84.58 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-26 *C

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 85 48.80 2315 1903 30171 10993 92.9 1.521
-18.0 87 50.02 2381 2015 32444 11354 94.4 1.477
-16.0 89 51.24 2448 2130 34908 11692 95.7 1.434
-14.0 91 52.46 2516 2249 37582 12002 96.8 1.389
-12.0 93 53.68 2583 2371 40487 12282 97.8 1.339
-10.0 95 54.90 2651 2496 43649 12530 98.6 1.292
-08.0 97 56.12 2718 2625 47093 12742 99.3 1.247
-06.0 99 57.34 2785 2756 50849 12917 99.7 1.203
-04.0 102 58.56 2852 2890 54963 13053 99.9 1.160
-02.0 104 59.78 2919 3026 59467 13148 100.0 1.119 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 106 61.00 2985 3165 64409 13225 100.0 1.080 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0 108 62.22 3050 3305 69845 13296 100.0 1.042 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 110 63.44 3115 3447 75844 13360 100.0 1.005 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 112 64.66 3180 3592 82475 13418 100.0 0.969 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 114 65.88 3245 3740 89784 13468 100.0 0.935 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 116 67.10 3309 3891 97858 13510 100.0 0.902 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 106 61.00 3121 3462 82007 12611 100.0 0.986 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 106 61.00 2772 2730 49845 13562 97.2 1.205

284 Win 160AB RL26 3.100 COAL

Cartridge : .284 Win.
Bullet : .284, 160, Nosler AccuBond 54932
Useable Case Capaci: 58.572 grain H2O = 3.803 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.100 inch = 78.74 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-26 *C

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 84 48.80 2324 1919 30296 10990 93.4 1.533
-18.0 86 50.02 2391 2031 32573 11342 94.9 1.489
-16.0 88 51.24 2457 2145 35039 11669 96.1 1.446
-14.0 90 52.46 2524 2264 37715 11969 97.2 1.401
-12.0 92 53.68 2591 2386 40622 12239 98.1 1.352
-10.0 95 54.90 2658 2510 43782 12476 98.9 1.304
-08.0 97 56.12 2725 2638 47220 12678 99.4 1.258
-06.0 99 57.34 2791 2768 50977 12842 99.8 1.214
-04.0 101 58.56 2858 2901 55077 12967 100.0 1.172
-02.0 103 59.78 2923 3036 59566 13057 100.0 1.131 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 105 61.00 2988 3172 64484 13137 100.0 1.091 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0 107 62.22 3053 3311 69900 13210 100.0 1.053 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 109 63.44 3117 3452 75859 13278 100.0 1.016 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 111 64.66 3181 3595 82417 13339 100.0 0.981 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 114 65.88 3245 3741 89621 13392 100.0 0.946 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 116 67.10 3309 3890 97567 13438 100.0 0.913 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 105 61.00 3122 3464 81992 12538 100.0 0.996 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 105 61.00 2779 2745 49848 13523 97.5 1.217

 

[JD338]

My 280 AI is on a M700 long/magnum action so I can seat bullets way out there. Take a look at the COL on this 160 gr AB. Lots of engine room.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

My 280 AI is on a M700 long/magnum action so I can seat bullets way out there. Take a look at the COL on this 160 gr AB. Lots of engine room.

JD338

What's the OAL on it Jim?

 

[gerry]

Scotty, 3000+ fps with a 160 gr from either is very impressive. Probably could get 2850-2900 fps with the long sleek 175's and 180's out these days.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

A good reason for the 284 Win over the 280 AI is you can load the bullets way out instead of having to deal with seating your bullets deep because you run out of room in your magazine with the longer round. Now that there is top notch brass from Lapua and Petersen the 284 makes a lot of sense and it comes pretty close to the speed of a 280 AI without the headaches.

This.

 

[gerry]

I thought the push feed M 70's were short on space, I know we had issues with that in my friend's 300 WM. Either way a 284 Win in a medium length action would be a dream.

 

[SJB358]

Scotty, 3000+ fps with a 160 gr from either is very impressive. Probably could get 2850-2900 fps with the long sleek 175's and 180's out these days.

Cartridge : .280 Rem.
Bullet : .284, 175, Hornady ELD-X 2841
Useable Case Capaci: 56.179 grain H2O = 3.648 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.330 inch = 84.58 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-26 *C

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 82 45.60 2175 1839 28685 10435 93.4 1.615
-18.0 84 46.74 2236 1943 30774 10771 94.7 1.570
-16.0 86 47.88 2298 2051 33023 11087 96.0 1.526
-14.0 88 49.02 2359 2163 35453 11378 97.1 1.482
-12.0 90 50.16 2421 2277 38084 11643 98.0 1.436
-10.0 92 51.30 2482 2394 40932 11879 98.7 1.388
-08.0 94 52.44 2543 2514 44022 12085 99.3 1.340
-06.0 96 53.58 2604 2636 47380 12258 99.7 1.295
-04.0 98 54.72 2665 2760 51029 12397 99.9 1.251
-02.0 100 55.86 2726 2887 55005 12500 100.0 1.209
+00.0 102 57.00 2785 3015 59345 12587 100.0 1.168 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 104 58.14 2845 3145 64086 12669 100.0 1.129 ! Near Maximum !
+04.0 106 59.28 2904 3276 69280 12745 100.0 1.090 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 109 60.42 2963 3410 74983 12816 100.0 1.054 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 111 61.56 3021 3547 81217 12881 100.0 1.018 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 113 62.70 3080 3685 88042 12939 100.0 0.984 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 102 57.00 2913 3298 75422 12006 100.0 1.066 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 102 57.00 2587 2602 46006 12890 97.1 1.302



Cartridge : .284 Win.
Bullet : .284, 175, Hornady ELD-X 2841
Useable Case Capaci: 56.567 grain H2O = 3.673 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.100 inch = 78.74 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-26 *C

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 81 45.60 2184 1853 28794 10429 93.9 1.628
-18.0 83 46.74 2245 1958 30878 10757 95.2 1.584
-16.0 85 47.88 2306 2065 33128 11064 96.4 1.539
-14.0 87 49.02 2367 2176 35559 11346 97.4 1.496
-12.0 89 50.16 2428 2290 38189 11601 98.3 1.450
-10.0 92 51.30 2488 2406 41035 11828 98.9 1.401
-08.0 94 52.44 2549 2525 44117 12024 99.5 1.353
-06.0 96 53.58 2610 2646 47470 12188 99.8 1.308
-04.0 98 54.72 2670 2770 51109 12318 100.0 1.264
-02.0 100 55.86 2729 2895 55071 12415 100.0 1.221
+00.0 102 57.00 2788 3021 59390 12505 100.0 1.180 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 104 58.14 2847 3150 64107 12589 100.0 1.141 ! Near Maximum !
+04.0 106 59.28 2905 3280 69269 12668 100.0 1.103 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 108 60.42 2963 3412 74907 12742 100.0 1.066 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 110 61.56 3021 3547 81049 12809 100.0 1.031 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 112 62.70 3079 3684 87766 12871 100.0 0.997 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 102 57.00 2914 3299 75370 11938 100.0 1.078 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 102 57.00 2594 2615 45992 12854 97.4 1.316


Yeah, I think you could do real well with 175's and the right powder for darned sure!

 

[SJB358]

I thought the push feed M 70's were short on space, I know we had issues with that in my friend's 300 WM. Either way a 284 Win in a medium length action would be a dream.

They are, sorta. For the 284 project a standard 3.4 magazine that comes in them for a 06, 300 Win, 7 Rem, 270, etc would be fine since you'd be loading to 3.1-maybe 3.2.

With the Win and Rem Mags, it was a few parts swaps to get a 3.6" magazine in them and really gain some space.

 

[gerry]

Cartridge : .280 Rem.
Bullet : .284, 175, Hornady ELD-X 2841
Useable Case Capaci: 56.179 grain H2O = 3.648 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.330 inch = 84.58 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-26 *C

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 82 45.60 2175 1839 28685 10435 93.4 1.615
-18.0 84 46.74 2236 1943 30774 10771 94.7 1.570
-16.0 86 47.88 2298 2051 33023 11087 96.0 1.526
-14.0 88 49.02 2359 2163 35453 11378 97.1 1.482
-12.0 90 50.16 2421 2277 38084 11643 98.0 1.436
-10.0 92 51.30 2482 2394 40932 11879 98.7 1.388
-08.0 94 52.44 2543 2514 44022 12085 99.3 1.340
-06.0 96 53.58 2604 2636 47380 12258 99.7 1.295
-04.0 98 54.72 2665 2760 51029 12397 99.9 1.251
-02.0 100 55.86 2726 2887 55005 12500 100.0 1.209
+00.0 102 57.00 2785 3015 59345 12587 100.0 1.168 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 104 58.14 2845 3145 64086 12669 100.0 1.129 ! Near Maximum !
+04.0 106 59.28 2904 3276 69280 12745 100.0 1.090 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 109 60.42 2963 3410 74983 12816 100.0 1.054 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 111 61.56 3021 3547 81217 12881 100.0 1.018 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 113 62.70 3080 3685 88042 12939 100.0 0.984 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 102 57.00 2913 3298 75422 12006 100.0 1.066 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 102 57.00 2587 2602 46006 12890 97.1 1.302



Cartridge : .284 Win.
Bullet : .284, 175, Hornady ELD-X 2841
Useable Case Capaci: 56.567 grain H2O = 3.673 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.100 inch = 78.74 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-26 *C

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 81 45.60 2184 1853 28794 10429 93.9 1.628
-18.0 83 46.74 2245 1958 30878 10757 95.2 1.584
-16.0 85 47.88 2306 2065 33128 11064 96.4 1.539
-14.0 87 49.02 2367 2176 35559 11346 97.4 1.496
-12.0 89 50.16 2428 2290 38189 11601 98.3 1.450
-10.0 92 51.30 2488 2406 41035 11828 98.9 1.401
-08.0 94 52.44 2549 2525 44117 12024 99.5 1.353
-06.0 96 53.58 2610 2646 47470 12188 99.8 1.308
-04.0 98 54.72 2670 2770 51109 12318 100.0 1.264
-02.0 100 55.86 2729 2895 55071 12415 100.0 1.221
+00.0 102 57.00 2788 3021 59390 12505 100.0 1.180 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 104 58.14 2847 3150 64107 12589 100.0 1.141 ! Near Maximum !
+04.0 106 59.28 2905 3280 69269 12668 100.0 1.103 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 108 60.42 2963 3412 74907 12742 100.0 1.066 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 110 61.56 3021 3547 81049 12809 100.0 1.031 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 112 62.70 3079 3684 87766 12871 100.0 0.997 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 102 57.00 2914 3299 75370 11938 100.0 1.078 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 102 57.00 2594 2615 45992 12854 97.4 1.316


Yeah, I think you could do real well with 175's and the right powder for darned sure!

I like the looks of that, matching factory speeds of the 7mm RM with a sleek bullet. Lot's to love about that!

 

[gerry]

They are, sorta. For the 284 project a standard 3.4 magazine that comes in them for a 06, 300 Win, 7 Rem, 270, etc would be fine since you'd be loading to 3.1-maybe 3.2.

With the Win and Rem Mags, it was a few parts swaps to get a 3.6" magazine in them and really gain some space.

3.6" would definitely help the longer rounds. Sounds like the unmodified action would be perfect for a 284 Win.

 

[RL338]

My thoughts would be 1:9 twist in 280AI for jacketed bullets. For 180gr that twist would be fine. Now if he decides to step up to lathe turned bullets then the shorter 284W with an 7or 8 twist allow longer seated bullets and the faster twist will be required. Sounds like a neat project when finished.

 

[JD338]

What's the OAL on it Jim?

Scotty,

COAL is 3.490"

JD338