Thread: 2208 in 284?

Originally Posted by Seventenths

Thought I'd chip in with some results albeit different to AR2208

So my rifle is a T3 7mm-08 reamed out to .284 and cut back to 16 inch with a DPT over barrel suppressor and a Stug carbon fibre stock which I've been running for the past few years and it's accounted for a fear few sika, fallow, reds and now chamois.

My favorite load is 53 gr AR2209 behind a 150 Sierra Game King which will give me 2557 fps and give me great groupings out to 300 mtrs which is the furthest I've tested.

I was running my loads through another chronograph which unbeknown to me was giving me false higher readings until I tried a Labradar so all of the speeds I'll mention below have been tested with a labradar.

I've just taken what I've written from my reloading/note book aswell as any comments I wrote beside them as I rarely keep the actual test targets.

150 gr Sierra Game King (# 1913)
53 gr AR2209 = 2571 fps
54 gr AR2209 = 2616 fps

56 gr RE17 = 2934 fps (a bit hot, back off 1 grain)

140 gr Sierra Pro Hunter
53 gr RE17 = 2693 fps
54 gr RE17 = 2797 fps
55 gr RE17 = 2871 fps

RE17 wasn't producing tight enough groups.

140 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
54 gr RE17 = 2812 fps
55 gr RE17 = 2894 fps (3/4 inch grouping at 100 mtrs, try again)
56 gr RE17 = 2958 fps

Performance
RE17 gives faster speeds as per the results show and it also gives a heavier recoil where as AR2209 doesn't.

I found the best groups with 150 Sierras was with AR2209 and with 140 Ballistic Tips was RE17

As for projectile performance and I speak from my own experiences is that the power of the 150 gr Sierras have always passed through Sika hinds, Sika stags leaving one hell of a blood trail. On Fallow I found them to not open up as quickly so I always figured a lighter 140 gr projectile would do better.

I did read of a north American hunter who only ever hunted with a .284 win with a 140 gr class projectile. I can't find that article but it was interesting reading as he'd accounted for numerous Elk with the 140's

As I'm now in the south Island I'm toying with the idea of rebarreling to a longer 20 inch barrel but in .284 so I can get more speed with the 150's out to 400 mtrs.

Is there anyone on here with a 20 inch .284 who could share their experiences?

I am running 2209 for both loads now as opposed to one of each. Think it is 54.5grs of 2209 behind a 150gr gameking which I aim to chrony tomorrow but it is sub MOA and from what I gather a very good killing projectile. Interesting to hear you say you find it passes through sika hinds etc as thought being a sp it would expand a bit