Thread: 284 loading again - this time a Kimber Montana

I have always liked the 284 Win. I recently made an offer on, and ended up getting a second 284 that I didn’t really need - this time a unique modified 17in Kimber Montana 84L. Thanks to the forum member who was excellent to deal with. It came with some historic load data from Greg Duley and a Swarovski PBC dial for a Z5. With money disappearing on a rotten Villa renovation by the week, I added my dream - a Z5 scope to the mortgage. Another forum member purchase who was also brilliant to deal with. Using my old DPT Magnum MK1 suppressor with 3 baffles it seems nicely sized and balanced. Very light - hopefully not too light to shoot well.



Now the problem is the PBC dial was set up for what looked a hot load using 54gr RE17 and 168 Berger Classic Hunter bullets at 2740fps. They are loaded very very long - longer than the Tikka 284 even, so caution as always. I had a problem as RE17 seems impossible to find but I had a little RE16 and plenty of Belmont 760 from my other Tikka. 168 Bergers are also gold dust but I have about 40 left. My Tikka loads didn’t fit without some serious bolt effort so it was time to load some new ones using the cases that came with the rifle. I looked at a list of 7mm bullets by Ballistic Coefficient to find something similar to the Bergers and one got my eye - 162 SST were almost identical at 0.55 vs 0.56. This looked promising as hopefully with the slightly lighter bullet I can get the same velocity using RE16 or B760 and end up with the same ballistic profile for the PBC dial to work spot on. I have used SSTs before and always had good accuracy and excellent performance on game so purchased a box.

Tonight I loaded up some loads to try out hopefully this weekend.

4 x 140BTs with 56.7gr B760 at 80mm OAL to get on zero. 2 x 2 shots after bore sighting. The tips were a bit mangled on these after previously pulling the bullets with an impact puller so I sand papered them back into shape.

3 x 162SSTs with 53.8gr B760 at 80.7mm
3 x 162SSTs with 53.5gr RE16 at 80.7mm
3 x 162SSTs with 53.8gr RE16 at 80.7mm
3 x 168BCH with 53.5gr RE16 at 80mm



Next stage is seeing how they shoot and checking velocity. If this rifle shoots well. the poor Tikka 284 might get parked up for a while…..

Finally out to a forestry block to try some new 284 loads.

I had a quick scout with the 22-250 on a Manuka plantation area first and found a mob in the open having a feed on spring growth. I had the 5 round mag loaded up and the spare 3 round in my bino harness along with another 3 spares. I just put a new Pic rail on the front of the plastic Tikka to use my Mountain bipod from the 284. First shot on the biggest Billy using an PPU55gr and they started running, but I dropped 3 more when they stopped then quickly moved to the next ridge and was into my VMAX loads and managed 2 more. Racing around the corner I had one more chance and dropped one who went the wrong way and shot the next as it quartered away and the VMAX exploded as they can, and I had to use another to finish. I took the biggest nanny legs and a few backsteaks off the final few.



Back to the 284 loads. It was pretty windy so I chose a stub road with the wind behind me. Set up a box, clipped on the bipod and rolled up the chainsaw chaps as a rear bag. I then checked the bore sight and used an old 139gr Interlok to get on paper….just. I had the cheap Caldwell chronograph - 2780fps from the 17inch barrel. 5 inches right and 3.5 down and I broke out the 140 Ballistic Tips with W760. 2777, 2716, 2683 - 1/2 inch - but I had one more so sent it and the thin barrel sent it right….or me. An early lesson - keep time between shots. Up a few clicks and into the SSTs with W760 and again a nice group but pretty slow 2553, 2555, 2545. Yes I know only 3 shot groups but it is a Kimber !


The RE16 loads were also pretty slow and groups opening up. The 53.8 was 2587, 2609, 2620 so the RE16 is quite a bit slower than the RE17 load the Duleys had developed - maybe my Chrono is slow? Not the slightest pressure so could get up to 54grs or a bit more it seems with the very long action loads.



My final load was the 168 Berger Classic Hunters with 53.5gr RE16. I let the barrel cool completely and took my time - and managed almost 3 touching. Only two velocity readings at 2526 and 2488 so again slow but promising accuracy despite a small sample.

It was time to head home - the rifle seems to have promise. I need to get some RE17 close to Auckland if anyone wants to sell or swap for something. I’ll load up some heavier charges next time and maybe some 162 ELDXs also. It was good to get out again.

After some GRT help from @Ruger7mm I loaded up a few more trial loads to get something ready to go hunting. I decided not to push the loads any hotter as I think my cheap Chrono is reading ~50-100fps slow based on GRT. I was thinking more 140 Ballistic tips and dual
Loading with Accubonds like I did for the 20inch Tikka 284. The BTs are normally pretty easy to get shooting OK.

3x 57g W760 with 140BTs. 1,2,3 2820fps
3x 56.5g RE16 with 140BTs. 4,5,6 2730fps (was expecting ~2870)
3x 56.8g RE16 with 140BTs. 7,8,9 2790fps (was expecting ~2900)



And some 162 ELDXs to try also and compare to the 162SSTs

3x 53.5 W760 with 162 ELDX. 1,2,3. 2580fps (should be 2650). Took time to cool and nice group
3x 53.5 RE16 with 162 ELDX. 4,6,5 5 was last. 2640fps (should be 2680)





Often 2 shots very close and the 3rd out if I shot 3 in a row due to the very thin barrel which got hot.

I’ve almost run out of RE16 and the Tikka loves that powder so I’ll load up some 140BTs for the Kimber with 57g W760 and if I sight in 1.5inch high at 100yrds the PBC dial works to 500 yrds.

Now I need a Garmin Chrono, some RE17 and to validate at 300yrds….