284 cal Options

hunter-4-life

hunter-4-life

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Im sure this question has been asked 1000's of times...but whats 1 more for good measure. Im looking for first hand experience (you own one or you've shot one. Not my buddies, uncles, nephews, cousin has one)

My safe is lacking a 284 cal rifle, I want to (much to my better halves dismay) fill that void. It will be a dedicated long range steel plinkin rifle. No lightweight build. 30" +/- barrel, probably straight or MTU contour. Either Tikka or Model 700 action, MDT chassis.

I have my sights set on a few different calibers, but I don't know enough about the 284 group to even really make a decision. I would like to shoot the heavier leads 180-190 class projectiles around that 2950-3000 fps mark. (specifically 183 SMK, 180 ELD-M and maaaaaybe the 197 SMK, I understand it will be slower then the others obviously)

Here are my options, which one would you choose, and why? As I sit right now, the 7 SAUM is the winner for me. Keep in mind, I don't want to have to get a mortgage for brass and don't want to burn 100gr of powder so the 7-300 norma is out :(

7 SAUM
7 WSM
7mm Rem Mag
28 Nosler
284 Win

Is there any others I should be looking into?
 
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The 284 Winchester is very common for long range target rifles and the addition of Lapua brass makes it a no brainer. Long action, long barrel.
 
Keep it simple and use the best on the list: 7 RM, size your brass so it headspaces on the shoulder not the belt.
 
I shoot the 197 SMK in my 22.5" 280AI @ 2550 fps, not a hot load (H4831sc). From a 30" barrel you could expect 2800 fps

That would retain 1350 fps super sonic flight to 1600 yards (.404 G7 BC, 2500' / 50F) and powder charge is 53.9grs

Same bullet in my 26" 7saum did 2780 fps 26" barrel, expect 2900 fps from 30", (I used RL26 57.5grs)
 
Currently building a 28 Nosler from a 700 action that was a 7mm Ultra.

Had the same delema. 28 Nosler brass isn't bad to find.
 
I have numerous 7mm's, (7 tcu, 7 IHMSA, 7 Int-R, 7mm-08, 7mm-08 AI, 7x64, 280, 280 AI, 7 SAUM, 7 wsm, 7 S&H, 7 Rem Mag, 7 Wby, 7STW, 7-300 Wby, even 7-378 once) for the velocity you want with the bullets you want to shoot, you'll be looking at the 7 saum/wsm cartridges at a minimum. As mentioned, the 7 Rem Mag will do what you want, and do it well. - dan
 
I have a 7-08 built for PRS and a 7 Mag Long range hunter build. Love the 7mms. If your launching heavies you will likely want something magnum with a fast twist rate. TBH if you want to feed from a magazine the Tikkas are a little limited if your loading long bullets. Upgrading to a MDT chassis will get you some more length(3.470"). But honestly cartridges like the 28 nosler, 7RUM etc. you need quite a bit of room to load those heavy bullets out longer.

I know its not a cartridge that I have personal experience with but maybe take a look at a 7mm-300 win mag(if your going on a rem 700 or clone or don't mind a Tikka as a single shot). You gain some more performance, and lapua and peterson is making brass for the 300 win now, kind of also like the idea of the "long headspace" brass which can possibly give you some more life out of the precious brass. Cheers
 
If it were me, I'd do a 7-300 Norma Mag (already having a .300NM and pushing 220s at 3200 with 90.4gr N570) but since you don't want to use that much powder (come on, it's only 90gr, not 100) I'd look into doing a 7-300PRC if you don't want to do the more "vanilla" 7 Rem Mag or 28 Nosler.
 
I've had a 7mm wsm. Wasn't a very big fan of the short neck. If I was to do it again I'd try 7saum or 284 win.
 
I had the same desires as you but in a 338 cal. Heavy for caliber high BC bullets and not a huge capacity case. Found one that fits in a short action mag bolt face, the 338 Sherman short mag. It’s a saum based wildcat, that was shortened and improved to fit in a short action with long bullets and not extend too deep in the case. There’s other calibers in the lineup, including 7mm, and now a different variant called the Sherman max, a full length improved saum that is better suited in a mid length action. Do your own research into it, there’s getting to be a big following with data out there to back it up. Sherman wildcats.
 
The 28 Nosler does appeal to me. Just curious tho, is Nosler the only one who makes brass for it now? Or can you find ADG, Pettersen etc in Canada?

The 7-300 PRC has been around for a bit, I believe they call it a 7 LRM. It is impressive thats for sure!

I do understand the 7 SAUM wont launch a 197 at 3000, but if I can launch 180-183's at 2950-3000 I would be content, as it will use less powder over the 7mm RM (8-9gr less)
 
todbartell said:
I shoot the 197 SMK in my 22.5" 280AI @ 2550 fps, not a hot load (H4831sc). From a 30" barrel you could expect 2800 fps

That would retain 1350 fps super sonic flight to 1600 yards (.404 G7 BC, 2500' / 50F) and powder charge is 53.9grs

Same bullet in my 26" 7saum did 2780 fps 26" barrel, expect 2900 fps from 30", (I used RL26 57.5grs)
Click to expand...

This is what I was hoping to hear. That is what impresses me, if that 197 can run 2800 or 2850 I would be happy. Like I said, maybe maybe shoot a 197 just for fun to see what it does. But my main bullet of choice will be either a 183 SMK or 180 ELD-M. Rifle will be an 8 twist, if not 7.5 to ensure full stabilization. I like that ADG makes headstamped 7saum brass as well.
 
I have presently, a 7 Rem mag, 700 LA, 1-8 Brux, 32"x 1.25 in an MDT Tac 21. Berger 190 gr over a stout load of Rldr 26, 3100 fps... Due to the chassis configuration and an overall weight of 9.90 kg... No real felt recoil off of a SEB rest. I also run a straight 284, Sturgeon 590, 1-8 Brux, 32" x 1.25 in a Robertson GBF, Berger 180 VLD over 4831 SC @ 2750 fps. Both rifles stay sub 1/4 MOA as long as I'm doing my part. I have the reamer for a 7-300 WSM, and am presently building a 280 AI featherweight for a hunting rifle. Any of the 7s that can keep a 175-195 close to 3G is doable and fun. Get out there and burn powder....
 
hunter-4-life said:
The 28 Nosler does appeal to me. Just curious tho, is Nosler the only one who makes brass for it now? Or can you find ADG, Pettersen etc in Canada?

The 7-300 PRC has been around for a bit, I believe they call it a 7 LRM. It is impressive thats for sure!

I do understand the 7 SAUM wont launch a 197 at 3000, but if I can launch 180-183's at 2950-3000 I would be content, as it will use less powder over the 7mm RM (8-9gr less)
Click to expand...

Not sure about availability but Peterson and ADG make 28 Nosler brass now.

I think there is a slight difference between 7-300PRC and 7 LRM but performance is probably near-identical.

A 7 SAUM in a medium or long action should get you close. I have a 26" 7 SAUM built on a short action and I get 2800 fps with 180 ELDMs and H1000. I'm going to try a few different powders (H4350 and H4831SC) as well as 180 Hybrids and see if I can get some more speed.
 
rugbydave said:
A 7 SAUM in a medium or long action should get you close. I have a 26" 7 SAUM built on a short action and I get 2800 fps with 180 ELDMs and H1000. I'm going to try a few different powders (H4350 and H4831SC) as well as 180 Hybrids and see if I can get some more speed.
Click to expand...

By the sounds of it RL26 is magic in quite a few calibers guys try it with. In the 6.5 creed a guy I know at the range was launching 140's at 2950 with slight pressure but nothing major in a 26" barrel.
 
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