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I recently found a local who is getting out of reloading and had several thousand pieces of 284 brass for next to nothing. At the same time I decided to also have a 7m-08 Encore rifle barrel rechambered for the 284 after talking to the seller about how much he likes his Encore in 284. The 284 seems to be the perfect round for the Encore, and as a HUGE side benefit I will be cutting more than a few down for use as 450 brass. I have a set of the Hornady dies already, will they work or is there a better alternative or anything special required to use the trimmed down 284 brass?

There has been lots of posts about using this brass. Actually, from the git-go on the calguns thread. This weekend I picked up some winchester 284 brass just to play with. I trimmed them and have loaded up some rounds -- using .451 diameter bullets. I am trying them out today. However, if they are seated to deep, the case bulges at the base of the bullet, preventing chambering. Hornady 450 brass weighs 165 grs and the winchester 284 brass weighs 189 grs.

I went and tried some of these today. I cut the brass to 1.695 inches. No reaming.

1. Hornady 230 gr. TC Encapsulated bullet, 38.0 grs of Lil'Gun, CCI BR2 large rifle primer, OAL - 2.1". UGLY -- patterns, no group or 8 inch at best. Average velocity -- 2332 fps, es - 76 fps, sd - 30 fps.

2. Montana Gold 230 gr. round nose (powder, primer same as above), OAL 2.15". Round 2 1/2 inch group. Average velocity - 2283, ES - 43, SD - 15

I had some smudging on case base and rim.

Do us a favor please! Check the extractor groove on the cut down 284 cases before and after. I noticed that some expand and will not fit into my hand priming tool after being fired 1 or 2 times. I've been pushing them a little hot 42gr. of Lil'gun W/230gr.FMJ and this maybe a place to look for pressure signs. Thanks! play safe!

talonxracer wrote:I recently found a local who is getting out of reloading and had several thousand pieces of 284 brass for next to nothing. At the same time I decided to also have a 7m-08 Encore rifle barrel rechambered for the 284 after talking to the seller about how much he likes his Encore in 284. The 284 seems to be the perfect round for the Encore, and as a HUGE side benefit I will be cutting more than a few down for use as 450 brass. I have a set of the Hornady dies already, will they work or is there a better alternative or anything special required
to use the trimmed down 284 brass?

I have a correction to my post regarding the OAL. The round nose as 2.10 inches not 2.15.

I have noticed that the winchester cases that I had stuck a couple of times in my shell holder and these had not even been fired.

Siringo wrote:I have a correction to my post regarding the OAL. The round nose as 2.10 inches not 2.15.

I have noticed that the winchester cases that I had stuck a couple of times in my shell holder and these had not even been fired.

OK then! Another thing to check before loading new 284 cases. The extractor groove. They are not as uniform as one would assume.
Thanks!