Reloading the .284 Winchester

ddgsnipe · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 9:41 am Post subject: Reloading the .284 Winchester

I don't know how many of you reload and shoot the .284 Winchester but I have for many years and recently got the bug to develop some new loads. After researching on the web for any info that I could find on the cartridge, I stumbled upon an extensive 24 page report done by Richard Frailey. He really did his homework and did extensive testing on different powders and primers. The most surprising thing to me was that after he determined which powder shot the best, he started changing primers and had substantial changes in the accuracy of the load. I always thought that a primer was a primer but this report showed that primers really do make a difference. I am sure that this is not limited to the .284 but for other cartridges as well. Anyway, it is a good read if you are curious.

John

home.earthlink.net/~rf...addata.pdf

1895ss · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 1:18 pm Post subject: Re: Reloading the .284 Winchester

I have found that changing any component can make a difference.

Gil Martin · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: Reloading the .284 Winchester

Welcome the Forum! Thanks for sharing the information. All the best...
Gil

Handloader · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 1:18 am Post subject: Re: Reloading the .284 Winchester

ddgsnipe: its good to see another 284 Win shooter out there. Now, do you really live in Nevada or do you live in Clark County?

Tests reveal switching primers can alter pressure by as much as 6,000 psi. Changing any component should be accompanied by reducing the load and working back up. For accuracy, different primers can have a noticeable effect, although, generalizations of which primer is best for accuracy is challenging. Experimentation and a good chronograph help.

Spacedone · Member Joined: Nov 04, 2005 Posts: 266 Location: missouri

i am old school i guess.

im not real concerned about bullet drop or bullet speed.

i scope shoot. what i care about is consistancy.

if i can set my scope to hit the same spot consistantly at whatever range im shooting at im tickled pink.

as long as im in the safe pressure zone of whatever firearm im shooting and reload for that pressure every single time it doesnt matter to me if my bullet is dead on at 100 yards and drops 15 inches at 300 yards as long as i know every shot about where the bullet will hit {big game hunting}

i shoot alot off the bench practicing at known set distances and just about any reload formula will allow you to hit 1 inch groups with practice. the harder job is to see game at unknown ranges guesstimate the range then place your shot within the kill zone of said game.

all this takes is practice with "YOUR" load and any consistant load for your gun.

my enfield can be set to shoot a 1 inch group with 150 gr interlocs and a 2 inch group using 180 gr spitzers. knowing this it isnt important to me to tweek my load to tighten my group when i can hit the kill zone consistantly.

its more important to me to kill game than it is to have bragging rights i can shoot subMOA groupings.

its alot easier to hit a paper target at 100 yards than it is a 10 point buck running at 79.5 yards

ddgsnipe · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 3:24 pm Post subject: Re: Reloading the .284 Winchester

Handloader, Vegas is over 400 miles away from me so yes I live in Nevada. Thanks for the catch, I have updated my profile.

Spacedone, I agree with you completely. I am also a hunter and only a bench rest shooter for practice or load development. My .284 is a 1963 model 88 Winchester. I would never expect to get sub MOA with a lever gun but I do like to get all of the accuracy that I can get from my guns so I search for the best possible combination of components. Granted, I am usually the biggest factor when it comes to a gun not being accurate.

Obviously the author is a bench rest shooter but it is some interesting data that he has compiled. I have noticed a considerable tightening of groups since I have experimented with some of his recommendations. Since there is relatively little information on the .284 I just thought that I would share the article.