My 284 Winchester Tikka Build

[Tullis94]

I'll start off with why I went with the 284. Last year I put together a 7 SAUM with a tikka prefit for my brother in-law. It is a carbon six barrel and it has been very accurate from the beginning. The problem is that SAUM brass is hard to get unless you are willing to pay the price gougers. I am not!

I went looking for different options that work well with a tikkas COAL restrictions. The 284 caught my attention. I knew it would not have the speed of the SAUM but I could get Laupa brass anytime I wanted and one of the top powders is H4350 which I have a lot off. I decided to give it a try. Worst case I am out $450 for the barrel. Every thing showed up this week and I put it together Thursday night.

Specs:

-24" McGowen barrel, #5 Douglas contour. For those wondering this barrel weighted 3 pounds 5 oz. I used their 284 Gap Reamer.
-Ross 4 port break
-Leupold backcountry rings
-Trijicon Credo 4-16x50
-Mtn tactical trigger spring
-Tikka vertical grip
-Total weight is 9 lbs 5 oz

Everything else is stock besides the kydex cheek piece I made myself.


I started by loading 4, 162 ELDMs. I began at 52 grains and ended at 53.5 grains. I shot them over the chronograph and was plesently suprised! 53.5 grains showed no pressure and was 2909 fps! I was hoping for 2850. I went home cleaned the barrel and loaded 5 more at 53.5 grains. This resulted in an average speed of 2911 with an ES of 15 and an SD of 6. Things were looking good! I cleaned the barrel again. Loaded 5 more and shot the next 2 over the chronograph again. Both were 2906.


At that point I took off the magnetospeed and really focused on shooting a 3 shot group. The 7 shot group with the magnetospeed was probably less than 1" but not by much. Maybe 7/8"ish. I CAN NOT normally shoot a group like this and it is not likely I'll shoot one like this again. This could be a fluke but things are looking good so far.



I will keep this thread updated if people are interested. There is a lot of info out there for the 284 but 95% is focused on f-class shooters. Hopefully this can help people out a little and provide some info I was looking for when wanting to build this hunting rifle.

 

[wildcat33]

I’ve got a pile of brass and dies waiting do something very similar. Are you using standard long action or WSM mags? What COAL?

 

[WeiserBucks]

I will keep this thread updated if people are interested. There is a lot of info out there for the 284 but 95% is focused on f-class shooters. Hopefully this can help people out a little and provide some info I was looking for when wanting to build this hunting rifle.

Those F-Class guys aren't wrong, try H4831 and 180 Hybrids if you have them.

 

[Rob5589]

Awesome! The one I had shot incredibly well although not a barn burner. The T3 action is ideal for the 284 and long bullets. Making me want another one!

 

[MTMeatHunter]

I have been contemplating a 284 Win on a Tikka for quite a while. Props to you for doing it! Nice work, looks like a very promising start.

 

[Tullis94]

I’ve got a pile of brass and dies waiting do something very similar. Are you using standard long action or WSM mags? What COAL?

I am using standard long action magazines. It has fed flawlessly so far. The coal is around 3.09, but I dont know exactly. I only measured it once and didnt write that info down.

 

[Tullis94]

Those F-Class guys aren't wrong, try H4831 and 180 Hybrids if you have them.

I do have them but I am afraid the bullet would be seated way to deep for this throat and I would run out of capacity with the slower burning H4831. I might play with it later on but for now I like what I have started. Plus I am saving the H4831 for another project. Thanks!

 

[MuleyFever]

I had a 280ai built on a Tikka and I wish I would have gone 284. I really should have considering I already had one in a Kimber.

I picked up a 284 on a short action from Newtosavage for my wife. Have not shot it yet but looking forward to it. Trying to get more brass for it.

 

[Tullis94]

A 5 shot group from today. The flyer kinda ruined it but I'm feeling pretty good for less than 20 shots down the barrel. I am going to load the rest off the 100 brass and shoot them. I plan to shoot the last 10 or so over the chronograph and see if the barrel has sped up at all. At that point I'll finish load development with once fired brass.

 

[30338]

Your cartridge choice reflects what I have started doing. Whatever brass Lapua and Alpha stock are cartridges I'll consider using for a build. No time for long searches on components.

Looks like its perking along very nicely. Congrats on that, nice rifle.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

@slick

 

[saltfork]

Staying tuned into this. I've been shooting a .284 for about 10 years, The rifle I have is an old custom set up pretty heavy with a slow twist, been collecting parts to build a lightweight Mod 70. Recently picked up 200 Lapua cases.

 

[Tullis94]

I shot a ladder tonight with H4350 and 180 ELDMs. I loaded 5 shots, starting at 50 and went to 52 in .5 grain increments. This barrel has really impressed me up to this point. I hit pressure at 52 grains with a speed of 2802 fps. 51.5 grains was 2772 fps and no pressure signs. The 180 boattail junction is seated about .16" past the neck shoulder junction of the brass. If the barrel was properly throated for the 180s I think 2800 would be in reach. The other geoups with pen markings are from a different rifle. I have 24 shots down the barrel now. 5 shot group from the test.

 

[Unckebob]

I had a 280ai built on a Tikka and I wish I would have gone 284. I really should have considering I already had one in a Kimber.

I picked up a 284 on a short action from Newtosavage for my wife. Have not shot it yet but looking forward to it. Trying to get more brass for it.

Why a 284 vs the 280AI?

 

[WeiserBucks]

Why a 284 vs the 280AI?

In a Tikka, 284 fits the action better.

 

[MillenialHunter]

I’m really liking your thread as I just completed my 4th McGowen rebarrel and you’re really tempting me to do my 5th. Each one seems to be more accurate than the one before it.

 

[MuleyFever]

Why a 284 vs the 280AI?

What Weiser said. The 280ai cartridge is longer so you are limited on COAL more with the 280ai. Its really not a huge deal for most applications but the 284 would allow you to seat heavier bullets longer than the 280ai.

 

[Rob5589]

Looks good. 52 H4350 and a 175 was max for mine. You've probably reached the top end with the 4350.

 

[Unckebob]

What Weiser said. The 280ai cartridge is longer so you are limited on COAL more with the 280ai. Its really not a huge deal for most applications but the 284 would allow you to seat heavier bullets longer than the 280ai.

I wasn't aware of the size issue with the Tikka.

Wouldn't you be giving up velocity vs 280AI?

 

[MuleyFever]

I wasn't aware of the size issue with the Tikka.

Wouldn't you be giving up velocity vs 280AI?

Probably not enough to really matter. With the bullet seated out properly in the 284 you are making up some of the difference by being able to fit more powder in the case. If you have to seat the bullet into the 280ai case you are giving up case capacity. I am no expert and still very much a novice reloader but this is how I understand it.

If you are sticking with lighter bullets its not an issue. I have to seat the 162 eldx deeper in the 280ai case than I would like to fit the Tikka mag though.