7mm standard 284W brass

[bartman007]

Hey guy's, I've just got Lapua blue box 6.5-284 cases and threw some 180gn projies in them. I came up with a Neck OD of .313"

Is this the norm for necked up virgin Lapua brass?

In regard to the Winchester 284 brass, what are people usually finding as their normal Neck OD with projectile seated?

And finally, in regard to the 162 Amax's (the new ones), does anyone have some rules of thumb for a good free bore with the Standard 284 chamber? I really only want to run 162's, and possibly 168 Bergs or 175 Sierra's over the short ranges (300, 500, 600 yards).

Cheers,

Bartman.

And yes, maybe I finally saw the light ???
If the big lump of steel pipe can shoot straight, then I might be convinced. I think I should get a rest for the barrel as well
25 rounds and counting...

[RAVEN]

Some between .180 and .220
I have a .220 FB on my latest PT&G reamer but my next one will be .200 or .190
BTW I don't jump my bullets
FB between .180 & .190 will get you 1700- 1800 down the tube before you have to rechamber.
Hope this helps
Cheers
RB

[AlanF]

Some between .180 and .220
I have a .220 FB on my latest PT&G reamer but my next one will be .200 or .190

Richard, Mike,

If you're defining freebore as the .2844 diameter length between the mouth of the neck and the start of the leade, then my reamer has 0.239 freebore. I actually think it could be a tad longer to suit the 180 VLD, but its good for the 180 hybrid and 168 VLD. I seat into the lands, and like to keep the bearing surface of the projectile clear of the case's neck-shoulder junction. I haven't seen the Hornady 162 hollow point yet but assume it will require a shorter freebore than the others.

Alan

[DaveMc]

Not adding much to these guys comments except for confirmation really but I also have a 220 freebore and run a pretty standard Shehane/284 freebore and lead. You can find the print on Photos of rifles under rods F class cartridge thread. I find it a good length for 180 VLD, 180 Hybrids, and 175 Sierra. You could run a jam or jump for any of these bullets and stay just clear of the donut (perhaps jumping VLD might go close?). They all seem to work reasonably well

I also am not sure about the AMAX but can comment that the 175 Sierra make a great short range bullet if your amax plan doesn't work.

My unturned Lap cases run at .312-.313 but I knock them back to .310 for 4 thou clearance. Not sure on Winchester?

Dave

[RAVEN]

Alan I prefer a FB on the shorter side because by the time I fire form and do some load testing the throat have moved forward it gives me allot more rounds of competitive shooting with out rechambering.
As far as donuts are concerned these are only caused if you don’t neck turn properly.
In my current 6X47Lap from new I could load 105 Bergers jammed I have put 500 round through it and no longer can seat 105Gr VLD's
It was troated for 115Gr VLD's and these are still good I don't think it will go much past 1000 down the tube if it was thoated .070 shorted the barrel would go 2000 rounds before rechamber is required.
Cheers
RB

[Matt P]

I recently had a reamer ground for a 284, the "standard" PTG reamer has a .180" freebore which for the 175 SMK is to short, I had my reamer ground with a .220" which with the 175SMK keeps the bearing surface above the "donut" and still keeps plenty of the bearing surface in the neck.
Matt P

[AlanF]

I recently had a reamer ground for a 284...

Aha. For your own use?

[bartman007]

Thanks guys,

All great responses.

Dave, I'm happy that you see .313 as well. In regard to neck clearance, I just recently ran 3 to 4 thou clearance on another chambering, and found quite a bit of powder fouling on the outside of the necks. Based on that, I have decided to go back to 2 to 3 thou clearance on OD meaning 1 to 1.5 thou around the case.

Looking at the comments, and my reluctance to jam projectiles, I should run .200 freebore with say a .315 neck, so I can turn a little off the necks. Hopefully that will satisfy the Sierra's.

I'm really not interested in running the 180's in the 284W, so the 162's should be a good option. I will fall back to say the 175 Sierra's if the 162's experience manufacturing issues in the future.

Mike.

[Matt P]

I recently had a reamer ground for a 284...

Aha. For your own use?

Sorry Alan but NO, it was for a customer !!!!
I might come back when you win your 10th !!!!

Matt P

[AlanF]

Alan I prefer a FB on the shorter side because by the time I fire form and do some load testing the throat have moved forward it gives me allot more rounds of competitive shooting with out rechambering.
As far as donuts are concerned these are only caused if you don’t neck turn properly.
In my current 6X47Lap from new I could load 105 Bergers jammed I have put 500 round through it and no longer can seat 105Gr VLD's
It was troated for 115Gr VLD's and these are still good I don't think it will go much past 1000 down the tube if it was thoated .070 shorted the barrel would go 2000 rounds before rechamber is required.
Cheers
RB

Richard,

If the 180 hybrids are as good as they say, then I'll probably not buy any more 180 VLDs and get the reamer ground back a bit for a .200 to .220 freebore. What is your rate of throat erosion with the 284?

Alan

[AlanF]

I recently had a reamer ground for a 284...

Aha. For your own use?

Sorry Alan but NO, it was for a customer !!!!
I might come back when you win your 10th !!!!

Matt P

You might have to wait a while, its getting harder and harder. It would also help if I went to a few Queens.

[RAVEN]

What is your rate of throat erosion with the 284?

Alan I have put 4200 round through my original Krieger barrel has been rechambered 3 times and still good enough to win the occasional OPM
the original FB would have been some where around .180
original chamber Giles 2005 168VLD to lands 2.44(stoney point gauge)

Grenfell 2006 168VLD to lands 2.448(stoney point gauge) 1682 fired
Bradshaw 2008 168VLD to lands 2.453(stoney point gauge) 1255 fired
2011 currently up to 1249 fired
do the math

[DaveMc]

I've lost about 10 thou after 600 rounds -less than half the rate I lost with the previous 6.5* 284 barrels. But seems much more than you have had Richard.

[AlanF]

I've lost about 10 thou after 600 rounds -less than half the rate I lost with the previous 6.5* 284 barrels. But seems much more than you have had Richard.

I think Richard runs his 168s at about 1800 fps .

Alan

[RAVEN]

Yep I think 1800 would be about right
First chamber 168Gr 2930
Second Chambering 2850
Third chambering 2700
As far as erosion goes it can depend on barrel steel just another variable to deal with