Author Topic: 284 or 7mm-08? (Read 2435 times)

erickrschaefer · « **on:** January 01, 2012, 05:35:47 AM »

Have an older Remington 660 I am going to rebarrel in a 7mm of some sort. I have nearrowed it down to either the 284 or 7-08, I reload for all my guns so avalibilty of factory ammo is of no concern. Right now I am leaning towards the 284 just for nostalgias sake. Anyone out there care to share there thoughts?

oneoldsap · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2012, 06:17:46 AM »

You will probably have feeding issues to work out with the .284 , that you won't have with the 7mm-08 . That's assuming your 660 was .308 or .243 !

erickrschaefer · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2012, 06:24:42 AM »

Yep originaly a 308. I was figuring that the magazine capacity would be a little less also as the 284 is quite a bit fatter than the 308 based stuff.

yooper77 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 01, 2012, 06:48:38 AM »

I would pick the 7mm-08 Remington over the 284 Winchester.

I use 308 Winchester brass for my Weatherby Mark V sporter in 7mm-08 Remington.

Seriously consider the cost of the re-barrel job over purchasing another rifle in the 7mm/284 caliber cartridge you desire.

yooper77

nomosendero · « **Reply #4 on:** January 01, 2012, 07:40:31 AM »

What do YOU want to do with this rifle. What are your performance goals & is it target/Big Game, what. For most people the 7-08 would do all needed, but you are not most people.
All that stuff matters.

We all know the logic behind the creation of the 284 case, to obtain good velocity in a short action. Still, I would prefer other short actions if I wanted that chambering, namely I would want the longest mag box I could get in a short action or more likely for me I would use a long action with a "long" throat to seat the 180 Berger out to obtain max performance.

That's what my need would dictate, so again, what are your goals?

Dave in WV · « **Reply #5 on:** January 01, 2012, 09:16:52 AM »

Another vote for the 7mm-08. IMO there would be less feed issues with it. The 600/660 actions are as short as you can get with a 308 family case. I have a 660 350 mag and have no fed issues but I honestly believe the action would feed smoother with a 308 family case.

BBF · « **Reply #6 on:** January 01, 2012, 10:00:27 AM »

I have a Ruger 77 in 284 W that started life as a 7mm-08. I was not impressed with the round in the original Rem load.
The Ruger is probably one of the two most accurate rifles I have, using Nosler
PT's old BT's , 150 gr WW and 160 gr Speer. All shoot excellent once zeroed in for each particular load.

JesterGrin · « **Reply #7 on:** January 01, 2012, 10:13:22 AM »

I would look for another rifle to build on. The Remington 600-660 versions are highly sought after. And not cheap.

erickrschaefer · « **Reply #8 on:** January 01, 2012, 11:37:35 AM »

I know the 600 and 660 are sought after and I have 2 of them right now. They also make a great starting platform for a lightweight short action build. You can usualy hunt around and pick up a used 600 Mowhawk for around $450-500 and I can get it rebarreled with a Douglass barrel along with getting it re-blued for under $400 so for under $900 I can get Remington 600 in the caliber of my choice. Could I just pick up a factory gun all ready chambered for what I want, you bet I could and it would be cheaper then having my 660 rebarreled. I just have a soft spot for the 600 and 660 and would to have a couple more in my favorite calibers and plan to someday have one redone to either 250 Savage Improved or 25-308.
So far the 7-08 guys are winning the day but I sure do like that 284 just because it's different.
I appreciate every ones input so far and when this project gets done I will post some pictures.

scootrd · « **Reply #9 on:** January 01, 2012, 01:06:30 PM »

Asked earlier

What purpose will you be using the rifle for ?

erickrschaefer · « **Reply #10 on:** January 01, 2012, 01:34:40 PM »

scootrd,
I plan to use the rifle for a lightweight rifle for whitetails and black bears, ranges up to 150 yards with a possible long poke out to 200. Will probaly keep barrel length under 22" and don't really plan on using any loads heavier than 140-150 grains as these two will do everything I need to do.

nomosendero · « **Reply #11 on:** January 01, 2012, 03:39:18 PM »

Quote from: erickrschaefer on January 01, 2012, 01:34:40 PM

scootrd,
I plan to use the rifle for a lightweight rifle for whitetails and black bears, ranges up to 150 yards with a possible long poke out to 200. Will probaly keep barrel length under 22" and don't really plan on using any loads heavier than 140-150 grains as these two will do everything I need to do.

Well, that makes it a no-brainer, at least in application. No need to go beyond 7-08 for that.

scootrd · « **Reply #12 on:** January 01, 2012, 06:32:25 PM »

Quote from: nomosendero on January 01, 2012, 03:39:18 PM

Quote from: erickrschaefer on January 01, 2012, 01:34:40 PM
scootrd,
I plan to use the rifle for a lightweight rifle for whitetails and black bears, ranges up to 150 yards with a possible long poke out to 200. Will probaly keep barrel length under 22" and don't really plan on using any loads heavier than 140-150 grains as these two will do everything I need to do.

Well, that makes it a no-brainer, at least in application. No need to go beyond 7-08 for that.

I agree..7mm-08 has my vote.

From a personal perspective..
I have been using a Remmy Mod Seven 7mm-08 , 22 inch tube as my dedicated compact whitetail rig for 2 years now.
Joy to carry , recoil next to nothing, The Remmy loves Rem 120gr , Hornady 139gr, and Fusion or Rem 140gr.

When punching paper it doesn't group Federal 150gr well. (I don't handload). Though I would not hesitate to throw a 150gr Down the tube while hunting.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #13 on:** January 02, 2012, 01:07:04 AM »

Ive never been much on trying to cram all the case you can into a short action. If i want a short action lightweight gun a 708 or 308 will take care of business. if i want more performace I step up to a 280 or 06 on a long action. Ive yet to see where a bit longer action caused me to miss a second shot and if you shop around you can find long action guns that are within onces of weigth compared to a long action if thats your consern. Same goes for all the short action mag rifles. The only thing you gain is a half inch in action lenght. Most still have 24 inch barrels and dont do a thing the mag rounds weve used for years dont allready do. The 284 was designed to get all the performace possible out of a gun that couldnt be made as a long action. Like some of the lever guns of the day. It did that well but in a bolt gun you dont have those limitations.

oneoldsap · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2012, 03:53:22 AM »

Bear in mind that once you take metal out of that receiver to feed the .284 , you'll have very few candidates , if you want to change calibers again one day . Just some food for thought ! When you described the rifle you wanted to end up with , I thought the .358 Win. would be perfect for you !

BBF · « **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2012, 07:12:42 AM »

+1 to oneoldsap
35 Rem is a very good round within the power limit
35 Whelen is perhaps more the you need
350 Rem Mag as above and the factory amo is pricey

358 Winnie is right on!

yooper77 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 05, 2012, 08:10:24 AM »

Quote from: erickrschaefer on January 01, 2012, 01:34:40 PM

scootrd,
I plan to use the rifle for a lightweight rifle for whitetails and black bears, ranges up to 150 yards with a possible long poke out to 200. Will probaly keep barrel length under 22" and don't really plan on using any loads heavier than 140-150 grains as these two will do everything I need to do.

Look at re-bore/re-chamber to 338 Federal, with this you can retain the factory barrel and look. Fully capable with your choice of hunting and easily made from 308 Winchester brass and 338 caliber bullets offers you a huge choice, from heavy 250 grains down to 160 grains if you like Barnes bullets.

yooper77

eastbank · « **Reply #17 on:** January 05, 2012, 11:36:32 AM »

i bought a left hand youth 700SA in 7mm08 with 20 inch stiff barrel. and this rifle is scary accurtt with 43 grs varget and 120-130grs bullets, it shoots both bullets under a inch at 100yds with a 2x7 leupold. eastbank.

rugerfan.64 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 05, 2012, 06:03:16 PM »

What Lloyd said
"
Ive never been much on trying to cram all the case you can into a short action. If i want a short action lightweight gun a 708 or 308 will take care of business. if i want more performace I step up to a 280 or 06 on a long action. Ive yet to see where a bit longer action caused me to miss a second shot and if you shop around you can find long action guns that are within onces of weigth compared to a long action if thats your consern. Same goes for all the short action mag rifles. The only thing you gain is a half inch in action lenght. Most still have 24 inch barrels and dont do a thing the mag rounds weve used for years dont allready do. The 284 was designed to get all the performace possible out of a gun that couldnt be made as a long action. Like some of the lever guns of the day. It did that well but in a bolt gun you dont have those limitations. " Find a good 280 Rem and if you just have to, get it reamed out to AI. Whats the length diff in a long and short action again? Somewhere around a half inch? Theres no use in nit pickin, ie a solution to a non existant problem. But to each his own,if you have an itch by all means scratch it. Just my opinion.

mannyrock · « **Reply #19 on:** January 06, 2012, 05:45:35 AM »

Eric,

I don't really see anything nostalgic about the .284. It was a specialty round that never took off, a failure.

The 7-08 is the way to go with very little muss or fuss, and without spending $1,000 in conversion charges and ruining the rifle.

If you want more power, perhaps the .358 Winchester (which is based on the .308 Win case), would be a better route.

Just some thoughts.

Mannyrock

bilmac · « **Reply #20 on:** January 06, 2012, 06:06:17 AM »

Well there's no denying the call of some exotic cartridge, I used to be that way myself, but I've become a little more mellow as I got older. The 08 would be a lot more practical. What hasn't been mentioned is that you can make brass for the 08 out of 308 brass. I had my 7-08 when it was new and it was hard to find brass. Almost all the brass I had was remade 308. Now finding 284 brass that will be a different story.

I know everybody wants to talk you into something you haven't been considering, but you said you might be looking at a 25-08 in the future. Have you thought about a 260?

I've owned a couple 600's and I always lamented that they never put a light barrel on them. They are nice handy guns , but why did they have to be so heavy. Nice thing about rebarreling one is that you can make the barrel lighter if you want. That would make a really nice gun to my mind.

scootrd · « **Reply #21 on:** January 06, 2012, 08:50:15 AM »

Quote from: eastbank on January 05, 2012, 11:36:32 AM

i bought a left hand youth 700SA in 7mm08 with 20 inch stiff barrel. and this rifle is scary accurtt with 43 grs varget and 120-130grs bullets, it shoots both bullets under a inch at 100yds with a 2x7 leupold. eastbank.

+1 scary accurate

I think the 7mm-08 cartridge paired with my Remmy Seven is probably the best whitetail rig I have ever owned and hunted with.
I have retired my 30-06 to above the mantle.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #22 on:** January 06, 2012, 09:11:05 AM »

Hionestly the 284 is just a 7-08 with a blown out body.
They both shoot the same bullets. The 284 just shoots them faster.
284 was the original short mag. It delivers 7mm Rem Mag proformance out of a short action.
The cool thing is if you don't like the 7-08 you can always rechamber (He says without looking at Cartridges of the World for specs. I am sure some one will double check my statement) The case uses the same rim, the same case length but the shoulder is where I am not sure if you can just ream a 7-08 to 284.
If the other guys are saying the magazine lips of the 660 feed the thinner 7-08 then go with it. If you want or need the extra spped to cross distance then go with the 284.
If you are looking to shoot heavier bullets, 175 grain, go with the 284.
If you want to shoot heavier bullets than that , chamber in 338 Federal or 358 Winchester.

RevJim · « **Reply #23 on:** January 06, 2012, 09:21:57 AM »

I had a Remington 700 SA rebarrelled and set up for the 6.5/284 and it worked swell! I could not seat bullets out further than 2.780 and still work through the action, but it was not problem,; I never shot anything but the Nosler 125 Partition, then went to the 120 Ballistic tip. In a 24" barrel I was crowding .264 winmag factory velocities, and it was ( still is, just not with me, my friend has it) a real killer on deer size critters. Flat shooting, easy recoiling, and easy to load for. I just necked down .284 win brass in a single pass in my FL resizer die. The feed rails had to be tweaked a bit for proper feeding, but it is a jewel. Just saying....

charles p · « **Reply #24 on:** January 06, 2012, 12:19:35 PM »

Bilmac about summed it up. I can remember reading ballistic info for hours. I had the magnum bug. Everything I loaded was at max pressure, and sometimes over. I shot magnums and Ackley improved rounds only. Finally I bought a Mod 7 in 308 and a 700 LVSP in 7mm-08. I haven't had a magnum or Ackley out of the closet since. Other than my 270, I do not recall hunting with a long action rifle in five years.
My 20" Mod 7 in 308 is so accurate, it amazes me. My 7mm-08 with a 22" barrel is right there also. They kill deer just as efficiently as long action cartridges. I used to be addicted to velocity, but not any more. Out to 400 yds, the plain vanilla offerings will work just fine. They are lighter to carry and quicker to handle. I discovered this at about age 60, about 40 years too late.
I once craved for a 6.5-284. No more.