Thread: 284 Powder and Bullet advice

Hi all

Just warming up here as new to the forum. I know there are lots of other posts on this subject but I am about to dive back into reloading my 284 and things have changed a bit. I have a medium action BSA and have been using 139gr Hornady FB for years behind 57.5grn 2209. It has a 21.5inch barrel. A warm load but I have a long throat and can still shake the powder and pressure is fine. Previous to this it was running 59grn IMR4350 with the same bullet. I’ve just got my old RCBS dies back after 15 years and will buy a press, powder and projectiles again once lockdown finishes. Since I last loaded, the Bushpig thing has made the 284 popular again (I always liked the cartridge) and new powders are available. So my question is what Powder to buy (RE16, RE17, Superperformance) and I’m thinking of loading the 150grn BTs as they sound easy to get accuracy. A starting load would be good.

Of course I could just keep the same load but this lockdown has perked my interest in trying something new. Some good videos etc by Stagstalker and other 284 users have also got me interested in heavier bullets and maybe shorter barrels.

Thanks

2209 still a good choice, but RL17 or Superformance I’ve found best for getting max velocity out of shorter bbl 284s. RL16 is meant to be very similar to 17 but more temp stable so maybe a better choice given you’re starting from ground zero. Also some reports of guys using RL26 with good results with heavier pills.

Oh so that was your lovely rifle on tm.
2209 is a reliable powder than isn't temperature sensitive plus you will get plenty of speed with your barrel and a mild load. I ran 53.5gr 2209 behind a 150gr sierra gameking for 2770 and wasn't seated that long. Very easy to get shooting and a reliable bullet. What is your type of hunting and main prey?

162 ELD-X with 58 grains of 2213sc for me for 2740 fps from a factory length T3. I could get more velocity with other powders but 2213 sc gives lower pressure and it’s a very accurate load.

Hi - thanks for the replies. Yes BSA is listed on TM to keep my wife happy with talk of building a new one, but I’m not really expecting to sell in the current environment unless I get a good offer. I mainly hunt Thar and Reds with the odd easier fallow for meat. Never had penetration issues with the 139s and I always aim for the shoulder. The 150 factory power points would sometimes not exit on Reds

So I can’t find a starting load for RE 16 using the 150 NBTs. Any suggestions or similar to 2209??

I have used the 150 NBT for a while in my 22 inch long throat 284 barrel. A stiff charge of 2209 pushed them at 2970 fps.

They preformed well from 20 yds to 750.

Ive also used 162 Amax with H414 in a 17 inch barrel (2700 fps) and imr 7828ssc with 162 Amaxs in the 22 inch barrel and can achieve 2900 fps with that.

Im currently running 180 gr eldms in the 22 inch barrel with Re26 at around 2850 fps.

Originally Posted by Forestry

So I can’t find a starting load for RE 16 using the 150 NBTs. Any suggestions or similar to 2209??

Hi,
My .284 has a 19" barrel and I use the 150gn Nosler Ballistic Tips. I use IMR 4350 and it pushes the NBT's at 2860....and with good results on the animals so far!!

I’m currently using the 162 ELD-M in front of 53gr of 2209. The same powder charge of Rel 17 gave me an extra 150fps. I am considering playing with some slightly lighter projectiles at some point. Will probably just start with Rel 17 since I have it on hand.

I’m using 53.5 grains of 2209 pushing the good old 162 Amax at 2750 ft/sec, this is out of a 21 inch barrel.
I’ve loaded up some 150 grain eldx with 50, 51 & 51.5 grains of RL-17 but I have not yet fired them, I might load up some 162 Amax with RL-17 too, just to see how fast they go.
I’m running a VX-6 with a CDS so I’m not that keen to change my load. I’ll see how much faster the 162s go with the RL-17 first.

For the past few years I’ve been running 150 gr Sierras out of my 16 inch T3 with great results as I always liked a good lead tip and that load has been used out to 400 mtrs

Powder has always been AR2209 as RE17 is hard to get your hands on. Not sure if that’s changed or not?

Recently I put on a 20 inch barrel and played with some 140 gr Berger VLD’s but couldn’t get them shooting so I played with some 140 gr BT’s and RE17 I had at home and groupings are tight so I’ll give them a try on game as it’s been 25 years since I’ve shot anything with a BT.

The reason why I wanted to go to a 140 gr projectile is that I came across an article by an American hunter who like you used the .284 for many years & hunted all North American game with just a 140 gr partition and swore by that load so I figured... why go heavier.

Thanks again for the info - in my experience the 139 Interlok FB have smashed through every time on Thar and Deer. The only bullets that haven’t exited were the 150gr Winchester Factory’s I purchased a few years ago for their cases and used up close in the roar. I actually see the Superperformance powder is cheaper than 2209 and RE 16/17 and may be good for a 22inch barrel...

I ran the 139 gr BTSP Interlock for a number of years in my 7x57 with greats results on sika, reds & thar.

It’ll be interesting to hear your results as no one else I know runs a .284 in a BSA action

Originally Posted by Forestry

Thanks again for the info - in my experience the 139 Interlok FB have smashed through every time on Thar and Deer. The only bullets that haven’t exited were the 150gr Winchester Factory’s I purchased a few years ago for their cases and used up close in the roar. I actually see the Superperformance powder is cheaper than 2209 and RE 16/17 and may be good for a 22inch barrel...

Give Superformance a go, I have found it good in the 270 and 30 06, 243 etc. on the burn rate chart it is one slower than AR2213SC so use data for 2213sc and work up to max, bare in mind that Superformance is more sensitive to temp. It certainly has increased velocity for me and accuracy is still good.

P