Thread: 284 with RE16 and a few reloading lessons

@Rock sorted me some more 162ELDx so off loading a ladder with RL16 I went and shot them today with the 7mm08 loads.

The empty cases had already been fired in the Tikka and fitted fine so this time I just neck sized. I tried 52 up to 53.5 of RL16 with some previous help from Forum members to get a starting load. The Tikka like my BSA can seat long so these are not for short action 284s. OAL was 79.25mm. At 53gn onwards I was getting crunching and compressed loads with the longer ELDX. I ended up flagging the 54gn one as I didn’t feel comfortable. RL16 is a bit bulkier than RL17 and I like a full case but I didn’t have a dropper tube to try.

I was using a bipod for the first time with some chainsaw chaps for the rear rest.....3 shot groups

52gns 2737fps and 1” group
52.5gns 2760fos and all through one hole!
53gns 2802fps and 1” group
53.5gns 2845fps and 1” group. Still no pressure signs from bolt or extractor marks



I then checked the Belmont 760 load I am currently set up for (53.2gn) and it was doing 2763fps and also shot pretty much one hole. Now this is definitely faster than expected (meant to be about 2680) and must be due to the very hot temp and warm barrel. Dead centre also so i can easily swap between RL16 and Belmont 760.
Pretty happy that between 52.5 and 53gn of RL16 I will be easily sub MOA and doing about 2780fps. I’ll swap over to RL16 once I use up the rest of my current B760 loads

That will be the end of my load development for a while for the 284 at least