162gr. A-Max and 284 Win

[Ksmirk]

Ok fella's what's your thoughts on this bullet for deer out to probably max 800 yards? I live in Oklahoma so these deer are not monsters. Just trying to hash out some thoughts in my head heck I have not even blued this rifle yet stil fitting in the stock but I do have the 1-9 twist barrel finished at 26". My thinking on this choice was good BC and heavier than normal loadings I have seen, origially wanted to go with the 180's and this rifle was throated where the COL of the 162's is at 3.100" so I have the room to go up to the 180's just don't know if I can push them fast enough. Thoughts and opinions very welcome. Later,

Kirk

 

[distantfoe]

A 284 will be my next deer rifle. I think you're dead on with the 162's. I'm currently running them in a 7wsm for oklahoma deer, they're devestating.

 

[kiwi3006]

I use the 162 a-max in a 7mm mag at 3060 fps. I have taken three red deer at 358, 358 and 383 yds. All DRT with shots to the chest. Complete pass throughs on all shots.
I have also taken a fallow deer at 638 ys, again complete pass through, DRT.

I would be very happy using this combo on deer out to 800yds.

Stu

 

[yobuck]

the amax is a fine bullet for long range in the 284 caliber.
we drive them to about 3350 fps in the 7x300 wby.
i wouldnt hesitate going to 1000 yds. and have killed deer further than that with them.

 

[AZShooter]

Be sure to give RL-17 a try with your 284. I did some basic workups with it and the 162 A-max. Max load with RL-17 was just under 3100 with moly coated bullets and a 23" barrel. Unfortunately this barrel doesn't like the A-max. It does like the 150 nos bt. Moly'ed with 57 gr and an OAL of 3.1" am getting 3100 fps. Went up to 58 grs but groups opened up.

 

[Ksmirk]

I just thought the 284 Win would be a good round and not many of them out there these days and I do like to be a little different. I have a pound of RL-17 and Hybrid100V a real mess of RL-15 and Retumbo I need to pick up some 4350 I hear it's real good in the 284 Win.

AZShooter 3100fps from a 23" barrel? dude that's flat out smokin' do you have some serious pressure signs? I was hoping for 2850-2900fps but I also shoot naked bullets not a fan of coatings. Later,

Kirk

 

[AZShooter]

No pressure signs with the 150 screaming along. Not sure if you read the story on RL-17 from 6mmBR.com. They were reporting close to a 200 fps improvement with certain cases over all other powders. The 284 is one of those cases.

Alliant Reloder 17

I worked past 58 grs and actually shot 58 grs over four sessions. Never had any signs of pressure in this rifle. I backed down to 57 grs for accuracy. Please note the OAL is longer than the SAMMI 284 and I used Moly. Not sure if it matters...the barrel has approx 800 rounds through it.

It hit me last night the 284 win is 46 years old!

 

[Ksmirk]

My bad I thought you were talking about 3100 with the 162's! I do appologize. The only thing about the RL-17 is can you get a case full of powder? I'm a huge fan of compressed loads and yeah the 284 at SAAMI COL does not help that case out all that much that's why I throated this barrel where a 162 is .010 off the lands at a COL of 3.100". Have you tried the RL-17 with the 162's yet? Later,

Kirk

 

[AZShooter]

You didn't read me wrong...I did get 3100 in my 23" 284 win with molyed 162s but I they didn't shoot well with that much powder.

I want to also clarify that I seat all bullets close to the rifling or as close as possible with my 3.1" magazine.

In the past I had tried the 162 A-max with H4350 and most accurate was 55 gr with a molyed bullet. Velocity was right at 2900 fps. After considerable testing and minor tweaking of seating depths and powder charge I determined the rifle would not shoot the 162 A-max accurate enough.

I got similarly bad results with the 168 Berger VLDs. 55 gr of H4350 yielded 2860 but the bullet was not near the rifling due to it being so pointy.

Enter RL-17. I tested the 162 A-max, 168 Berger VLD, 150 nosler ballistic tip and the 140 nosler ballistic tip for pressure and noted accuracy. I didn't think thethe A-max or VLD would now shoot but was curious as to pressure. I thought the ballistic tips would shoot. I intend to buy a custom reamer throated specifically for VLDs from Pacific one of these days and was mostly interested velocity increases.

168 molyed Berger VLD and RL-17:
53 gr was 2816, 54gr was 2867, 55 /2945, 56/ 2990, 57/ 3025, 58/ 3075 Seems like 58 gr is too how based on the higher jump of velocity compared to the 57 gr load but I didn't not notice any pressure. @ 50-60 degrees

162 A-max
56 gr 3015, 57/ 3070, 58/ 3115, 59/ 3145 with signs of pressure. @ 50-60 degrees

150 nos bt
57.5/3125, 58/3150, 58.5 3175 no signs of pressure. 58 was most accurate @ 50-60 degrees

140 nos bt
58/3250, 58.5/3275, 59/3300 , 59.5/HOT load, leaky primer...accuracy was not that great but I didn't try any tweaking. Old 140 loads with H4350 was approx 3000-3050. Temps were 65 or so.

I liked the 150 nos bt accuracy best so I tweaked it. All original loads were with 55-60 temps max. Then it got hot the last two weeks hitting 85 when I shot. The 58 gr load's velocity increased to 3185 and the groups opened up a tad, So I backed down to 57 gr and it was the most accurate from 55-85 degrees with velocities at 3100 fps.

I had to go back to my loading booklet to get the above details. Hope this helps clarify stuff. I cannot recommend charges you should use with non molyed bullets.

I hope you get some good results.

 

[Ksmirk]

Sir thank you very much! now if I can get my stockwork and feedrails feeding these fat cases well it's to the loading bench then the range yeah! I'll be sure and let you know what happens. Again thanks for the info. Later,

Kirk

 

[AJ Peacock]

I love the 162 in a 7RM, the only bullet I've found that will shoot with it in my rifle is the 160AB. I'd trust the 162 A-max for deer everytime!

AJ