284 cased wildcat

malcolm · Post by **malcolm** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:47 pm

Gidday guys, help me out here, I am seriously thinking of building up a new rifle.
Using a 284 case which caliber should I choose? .338 or .358?
In my gunsafe I currently have a 35 Whelan, so I have a fair range of 35 cal projectiles------but would a 338 be a better bet?
Looking at all the major bullet manufactures, there seems to be a greater range of pills available in 338 cal
I see in the "Cartridges of the World" the 284 case has been necked up all the way to .416 with great success.
Malcolm

dave · Post by **dave** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 8:14 pm

whats the application? just wondering coz i know ive always been keen on the barrel burning 6.5-284 but it looks like ur keen to go 30cal+

woob614271 · Post by **woob614271** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 8:41 pm

The 30/284 is gaining popularity as a target wildcat, but either of your choices will do for medium large game. Going for the 35 will match the whelen' but in a shorter case (and action) while going for 338 wswillexceed the new 338 Federal. Depends what you want to do with it as Dave said.
the WOOB

malcolm · Post by **malcolm** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 8:04 am

I plan on using an /06 length action so I can seat the pills out to an COL of approx 3.1 inches. Fallow , Chital, Red's and piggies are all I will be after.
Thanks for the input.
Malcolm

Con · Post by **Con** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:29 am

Malcolm,
I'll also probably be going down the 284 'cat route some time as I've got a set of 30/284 and 375/284 dies. Just hoping to find a take-off 375H&H barrel to start with. I'll be using a SA however as I dont see the point of using a standard length action when there are already cartridges out there that'll duplicate the ballistics you'll achieve.
My aim is a light-weight 22" barreled "thumper" hence the 375-284 option ... plus there are now some great lighter projectiles in 375cal like the Hornady 220gr and 225gr, Taipan 220gr (cheap!!), Sierra 250gr, Woodleigh and Speer 235gr and the Nosler AccuBond in 260gr. Even with 300gr RN the measured COL of the dummy rounds are 2.950" and many short actions can be modified to accept that length ... plus seating a heavy projectile a little deeper doesnt really worry me as a 300gr at 2150-2200fps isn't a long range proposition, nor will it be used as such.
If your happy to buy a near as new rifle ... there is a Sako L579 Deluxe with MAB stainless barrel in 338/284 plus Redding dies and cases locally (Goulburn Valley, Victoria) for I think around $975 ... been for sale a LONG time too so the owner may negotiate. Been thinking about picking it up myself but I dont personally like the Sako action and really dont believe in the 338cal for the 284 case.
On another note ... the 416s on this case have reduced body taper which I really dont think is required as the standard shoulder diameter should still allow adequate headspacing. Another "crazy" thought of mine was a 411/284 ... 400gr Woodleighs for heavy game, 300gr Woodleigh for the lighter stuff, plus a 300gr Hornady spitzer for "long range" ... and the potential to use pistol projectiles for practice. Custom dies plus the purchase of neck/throat reamers has dampened that idea ... but I have another 0.411" calibre scheme brewing

Cheers...
Con

malcolm · Post by **malcolm** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 4:23 pm

Gidday Con, thanks for the reply. One reason I decided on a long action was because I already have it in my safe. I have owned it now for over 20 years and I figure if I don't use it now I never will.
I definately want to build up a 6.5x284 fly rifle ( I bought the good Redding dies off Ackley Improved) and I thought I may as well build up a 6.5x284 hunting rifle as well. Then I thought, sell my 35 Whelan and have a switch barrel in either 338 or 35 on the hunting rifle.
Can you give me the contact number of the Sako in 338/284?
thanks
Malcolm

Con · Post by **Con** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 5:21 pm

malcolm,
PM with phone number coming your way.
Out of interest what is your 35Whelen on? I wouldn't mind adding a Whelen or NormaMag to the safe ... when available funds are found.

Mind you I'm fussy with the 35s and barrel twist as I reckon Remington totally botched the Whelen by using a 1:16" twist barrel.
Mind you ... I've emailed Woodleigh a few times about a 275gr RN in 35cal ... and for the first time a mate has received an email suggesting they might consider it

. A 275gr should/will stabilise in a 1:16" and make the Remington's a bit more useful on the bigger stuff! Makes a 35/284 a bit more interesting too!
Cheers...
Con

malcolm · Post by **malcolm** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:38 pm

Con, my Whelan is built on a 98 action, but only has a Sprinter rebore barrel. I built it up before the Whelan was a commercial caliber.
The barrel twist is 1-16. It loves the little 180gn Speers and it spits the 250gn Hornady round noses into a clover leaf. 225 Sierra's and 225 Ballistic tips make a mess of pigs and fallow spikers.
I just cannot achieve the magic 2400fps with a 250 gn pill, not that the critters complain.
I must try the 200 gners.
Malcolm

AusVarmint

284 cased wildcat

284 cased wildcat