284 Shehane loads

[macguru]

I am currently getting a 284 shehane chambered by M.P. Can anyone suggest some loads for me (180 bergers) ? I am assuming form the brass with 50g 09 and work up 2-3 grains from there ... Am I in the ballpark? 2850fps ? Also , is it worth experimenting with 168s ? I gather you would get around 3000fps but does that deflect more in the wind than 180s or about the same because they are moving quicker ?

Andrew

[Cameron Mc]

Andrew

I have a few barrels chambered in 284 Shehane. All Kriegers. My load for all barrels is 52g 2209 with 180vlds. Velocities vary between barrels approx 2850 to 2880.
I would not go any hotter in the interest of case life. Some of my cases have been fired at least 10 times with primer pockets reasonably firm.
I agree with your fireforming load. I am lucky in that I have a barrel specifically for fireforming.
I have stuck with the 180vlds as they work for me. I am sure there are others using 168 and 180's.

Cheers
Cam

[AlanF]

Andrew,

On paper at least, the 180 hybrids have a slightly higher BC, so I always try them first, but usually end up with 180 VLDs. Some of my barrels have preferred 168 VLDs, and one likes 175 SMKs. I moly all bullets. My normal load for 180VLDs has been 57 to 57.5gns N165 at about 2830 to 2860fps (N165 is hard to get at present), but I have used and liked (in decreasing order) 2209, 2213sc and RL-22. I've used CCI200 and BR-2 primers, and Fed 210M, all good. But any magnum primers I've tried have failed.

I hope you like the Shehane. I sort of agree with the criticism that its so little different from the standard 284, its not worth the trouble. However I suspect the extra grain or two capacity does allow less pressure at the same fps. Also, and this is counter-intuitive, the Shehane is said to have less extraction problems despite the reduced body taper. I can believe this because my 6.5-284 (non-Shehane) cases do get sticky, whereas the 7 Shehane ones never do.

Alan

[macguru]

Thanks guys, its an 8.5 twist Krieger so ill let you know if it likes hybrids. I have a box of each to test, and a box of 180 boat tails for fireforming ....

[Matt P]

Andrew,



I hope you like the Shehane. I sort of agree with the criticism that its so little different from the standard 284, its not worth the trouble. However I suspect the extra grain or two capacity does allow less pressure at the same fps. Also, and this is counter-intuitive, the Shehane is said to have less extraction problems despite the reduced body taper. I can believe this because my 6.5-284 (non-Shehane) cases do get sticky, whereas the 7 Shehane ones never do.

Alan

Alan
I sort of agree with you regarding the pressure/fps thing BUT the 284 case just isn't capable of running 180's where we all thought it should, IMO 2800ish fps with 180's is the limit in most set ups but being human we all want MORE !!!!
Matt P

[AlanF]

Matt,
I agree if primer pockets would hold up the case would be good for 2950 with 180s. With my setup and loads, cases will last about 10 loads at 2860, 5 loads at 2900, and about 2 at 2950. One thing that makes me less concerned about this "problem" is that I don't anneal necks. According to the experts, that means my brass is past its best at about 5 firings anyway. So I often load up around the 2860 area because what's the use of looking after brass that's past its best?
Alan

[macguru]

I would be more than happy with 2850, even more so if i get more than 10 reloads...... Is there any way to harden the bases ... whats the opposite of annealing ?
If I want more speed than that i would run a 7mm saum/wsm.....

[pjifl]

Opposite of annealing brass is work hardening.

So, a case that had fired a few moderate loads would then resist a higher load better but I think it would be minimal and hardly worth the effort.

Something of interest. The parent case for the 284 Shehane is of course the 284 WIN which I noticed recently has more body taper angle than most other modern cases.
Thus, when the shoulder is blown out to a Shehane the body taper angle is about equal to a 308. So Extraction of a Shehane should not be particularly difficult.

Peter Smith.

[AlanF]

Opposite of annealing brass is work hardening.

So, a case that had fired a few moderate loads would then resist a higher load better but I think it would be minimal and hardly worth the effort.

Something of interest. The parent case for the 284 Shehane is of course the 284 WIN which I noticed recently has more body taper angle than most other modern cases.
Thus, when the shoulder is blown out to a Shehane the body taper angle is about equal to a 308. So Extraction of a Shehane should not be particularly difficult.

Peter Smith.

I usually use moderate loads early and suspect that it does help. After all, even a moderate load in that case is working the head, although normal FL sizing will not be squeezing it back. I wonder if some very robust collet type head sizer could be made to do this? You haven't got much on have you Peter? (just kidding )

[pjifl]

Alan said

usually use moderate loads early and suspect that it does help. After all, even a moderate load in that case is working the head, although normal FL sizing will not be squeezing it back. I wonder if some very robust collet type head sizer could be made to do this? You haven't got much on have you Peter? (just kidding )

Well - I will put together a kit if you like.

Instructions and a B G B hammer........

Peter Smith.