Note the 5-wide fore-end which is not legal for F-Class. To quote Danny Biggs (a two times FTR National Champion) The 185 BTLR is the best bullet for .308 Win ever made. The "new" 284 Winchester on left is handloaded to exceed its SAAMI overall length for a custom fit in a long-throat barrel. Forum member Jim Hardy has shot the .284 with great success. Finally all the cases are run through a Redding Type S FL sizing die with .312 neck bushing. The new Master Class Low Profile stock shares the same grip as the old model. Q: Henry, you have been a Forum member for many years. At the end he holds the Oehler Chrono up to the camera so you can view the readout yourself. The straight .284 Win is an excellent cartridge, quite capable of winning F-class matches. Improved by definition means made better, I took a great cartridge, and modified it to increase capacity, reduce pressure, and increase brass life. Recently had Darrell Jones of DJs Brass Service hydro-form 6 BRX brass for me. Yes, thats a long, heavy barrel, but I think the length gives me a velocity advantage. From ultrasonic cleaning to custom annealing for specific wildcat cartridges. The Vortex Golden Eagle HD scope showed the mirage I needed in order to make timely wind-hold decisions.. Unless you really get some exotic woods they all seem to blend together. var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;
Q: Tell us about your Nationals-winning rifle and bench gear. The .300 WSM loaded with Berger 215gr or 230gr Hybrids is very tough to beat at long range, and it is currently my number one choice. However, by blowing the sidewalls out 0.010, the .284 Shehane picks up about 3.3 grains of extra case capacity. [The load was] 180 Hybrids with 54.0 grains of H4831 SC. On a bench you do notice the recoil. Bryan did all the stock work and fitted the action, rails, and RAD recoil pad. In 2013, Henry Pasquet won the IBS 1000-Yard Nationals shooting a .284 Shehane. I have high hopes of it being an great gun. For shooters who are not sold on the .284 Winchester, I give you a real-world ballistics shoot-off. He decided to go with a Brux 1:8.5-twist, 4-groove cut-rifled barrel. That enhancement makes a BIG difference. For starters, a .300 WSM is certainly capable of winning mid-range matches but it is not ideal. been shooting mine for years with a 25 inch 9 twist the 160 class will make 2950+ pretty easy but the 180 class even with a full case of rl-26 will start trashing brass pretty quick once you start getting near 2900 fps. For whatever reason, between 100 to 300 rounds, as the barrel gets broken-in, the velocity climbs significantly.. Andy told me if I loaded back to the previous velocity, in his experience, it would stay there. I used to shoot F-TR before this and made the transition to Open last season. I only test, keeping a notebook with all the info. It was all about bolt lift. [Editors Note: Jerry Tierney is no longer with us. Darrell is a hydro-forming wizard who has perfected the process over the last couple of years. Its low recoil along with its super grouping ability and good ballistics make it my number one choice for Mid-Range. In second place was Team McMillan with 1553-53X: Paul Phillips, Derek Rodgers, Jeff Rorer, Brad Sauve, John Droelle (Captain), Ray Gross (Coach). The proud owner, Forum member Aeon, tells us: This is a Gary Eliseo RTM chassis with pickle forks. Ballards Purple Haze rifle features superb components, including a BAT MB action, Nightforce 12-42 BR Scope, and a wickedly accurate 32 Broughton barrel. As with the first barrel, the second barrel yielded 2775 fps with a starter load of 53.0 grains of H4831sc. regulated countries every rifle cartridge combo has to be proofed at 125% of this maximum C.I.P. The case issues seem to be with previously softer batches of cases. Share the post "Hail the Champions: 2018 F-Class Nationals at Raton, NM", By Emil Kovan Since 2009, Forum members have posted photos and descriptions of their most prized firearms. Henry: For my .284 Shehane at the Nationals, I loaded 52.5 grains of Hodgdon H4350 and Federal BR-2 primers behind Berger 180gr VLDs. As I said in the beginning, many cartridge types are capable of winning but are not listed due to their low popularity, case design, or lack of quality components. Would love to read more about the Shehane, as apparently Sabatti has three factory rifles (Evo, TLD and STR Sport) to offer in this cartridge: https://www.sabatti.it/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Catalogo2020En.pdf. If you want more than a standard 284 Win in a short-fat, move up to a 7mm WSM. That enhancement makes a BIG difference. Here he is with parents Karen and Ken Klemm. The bolt carrier will most likely be slamming into the back of your action as well, which is obviously bad. That enhancement makes a BIG difference. I feel that the best option (if available) for shooters interested in wildcat chambers is to have their gunsmiths make the dies. The same has proven true of my .284 Winchestervertical improves once 50 rounds are through the bore. This does make a difference at 1000 yards. I would not go any hotter in the interest of case life. Henry: I had planned to use my Light and Heavy Dashers, but after placing the Dasher on the ready line, decided to switch to the .284 Shehane. Fortunately, the Range at Raton saved some of its most challenging conditions for the final match of the championship. So I had the idea of painting the stock because there are so many wood stocks with clear coat these days. I use Erics tuner/brakes on all my new barrels.) It was still early in the morning and I felt that the heavier bullets would be easier to see against the berm. So what is ideal, and why? Q: What you do enjoy most about long-range benchrest shooting? This is one sport where you can be a champion in later life., Click on Rifle Photos to View Full-screen Versions. On the old F-Class targets I would have been content with a Leupold 8-25 LRT, but on the new target a scope with 1/8-MOA adjustments and high magnification is a must. Plus, our years of work experience help us to think, analyze, and thereby make progress. That enhancement makes a BIG difference. My action of choice was a beefy 1.55-diameter, round BAT MB, Left Bolt, Right Port. Jay Cutright chambers my barrels. Mike Plunkett finished second, while also setting a new F-TR record, 200-16X, also matched by Ray Gross. To me, the 284/shehane is proven. With the .284 Shehane, you have a .308 bolt face, medium action, and Lapua brass. Everything turned out flawless. For these posed photos, he removed his safety glasses. NOTE: If youre skeptical of those single-digit chron readings, click on the Video Playback screen below to view Ballard test-firing a load that delivers an ES of 5 and SD of 2 for five shots. More speed, less pressure? Two 4 x 8 sheets of plywood hold four IBS targets. Another significant improvement is that the toe of the stock is flat and parallel to the forearm. With a 5-wide hammerhead front and a special 3-wide bag-rider plate in the rear, this 17-lb rig is ultra-stable in the bags, and tracks like a dream. recoil reduction system (hydraulic-damped buttpad), Bix N Andy trigger, and Nightforce Competition scope. I did trim the Berger VLDs to the shortest bullet length with a Hoover Trimmer, and then pointed the meplats just enough to close them with a Whidden pointer. It shot a 3.597 pretty amazing. The sport of F-Class is rapidly growing, and the equipment used is improving constantly. On the following Monday, we went back to the test bench and chrono. The 284 KMR IMP allows you to almost match magnum cartridge velocity in a standard-bolt-face action. At this stage in life, we now have the time and money to get good equipment and rifles. I will occasionally mess with the tuner and tighten things up if possible. We have 284 Winchester dies for sale, from great brands like Forster, Hornady, Lee, Lyman, RCBS, and Redding Reloading Products. Base collar is gold metallic, followed by the red. The stock is an HS Precision painted by Premier Accuracy. On top is a Nightforce 42x44mm Competition scope in BAT rings. Four other people have shot their first 1000-yard matches with my rifles, including my wife, and all of them won relays! Neck turning a plus to .312 loaded neck - in any event pushed only to 2800 fps. The rifle features a BAT B Action. I also sought barrel life that would be far superior to that of a 7mm WSM or 6.5-284. Im very exacting in my loading procedures. I shot the .284 Win in heavy gun. Hydro-Forming News .284 Shehane, 6 PPC, 6 BRA, 6 Dasher and More Youve proved them wrong. When shooting his PPC, Joel uses those fouler shots to fire-form his new brass.
Accurate Cartridges The .284 Shehane, an Improved .284 Win So I only have to apologize about some red flakes in our bathroom., We like this handsome quilted Maple-stocked Mauser belonging to Forum member Steel Mover. My old straight .284 load at 2890 fps had ES spread in single digits for 10 shots. The .284 Shehane is a slightly modified wildcat that retains the same 35 shoulder as the parent case. Thanks for taking the time. Here is the wifes quilted Maple 96 Mauser 6.555. That enhancement makes a BIG difference. Please call Darrell at 205-461-4680 for special services pricing. The rifle is fitted with a red dot sight, ammo caddies, Ranger Point M-LOK handguard, and a modernized modular buttstock. Duane decided to have the barrel chambered for my 284 KMR IMP (Improved) wildcat. He posted: Some like synthetic and some like wood I have both. I chose this action based on BAT Machines impeccable reputation. Just wondering if it is enough for 284W f class. These upgrades make it a thoroughly-modern Henry lever gun for the 21st Century. The price starts at $60.00 per hundred for standard cases or $75.00/100 for magnum size. Comparison: 6.5-284, .284 Win, and 300 WSM However, by blowing the sidewalls out 0.010, the .284 Shehane picks up about 3.3 grains of extra case capacity. Its not pretty but it tracks like a Heavy Gun stock. The only cons I can find are that 284 brass is kinda hard to find! .284 Shehane Shines in 1K Benchrest Competition Too I've chronicled its development on social media, as well as in prior posts focusing on my decision making process. I figured if I get it up to 2935-2950 fps that will be a point or two saved in a several day match. Bryans rifle is shown below: I recommend chambers throated for the 185/200 grain projectiles over the 215/230 grain bullets. Another great service DJs Brass provides is precision neck-turning. I'd think throated properly and with the right powder, RL26 maybe, you'd be able to reach 2700 or more with just a straight 284. The chamber was cut with a reamer made for Lapua 6.5-284 brass necked up to 7mm. If your barrel or bullets are average, dont expect to perform above average in competition. About his two guns he posted: All I need is a can of bear spray. At those distances the 6mm and 6.5mm cartridges rule. Team Lapua-Brux-Borden captured the F-Open Mid-Range Championship with a strong performance. Gun builder Ryan Pierce of Piercision Rifles explains: Heres a 5-shot 0.191 group at 100 yards with my .284 Shehane fire-forming loads. This design rides the bags better than any stock I have ever shot. Sent the pad to Gary Eliseo and he sent it back with the butt plate machined to fit. Expand Case Necks and Anneal brass (Call for Price) On paper the 90gr VLD will shoot inside most .308 Win loads even at a 1000 yards. Grimstod currently runs 95gr Berger VLDs in Lapua brass.