I'm currently building a 284 on a 722 action. Mag length is 2.8" - is it worth it to open the action to 3"? How much does something like this cost?

Also, in the past I have used other "short action" rounds that really belong in a 3" action (e.g. 284 or 257) as "2-shot" rifles, where I seat the bullet out as far as I need to (in excess of the mag length), put one in the chamber and let the one in the mag hang its nose over the feeding ramp. Seems to feed fine - does this have any real disadvantages (as in safety) other than the obvious 2-shot restriction?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

Converted a 722 in 257 Roberts to a 25-284 back in the 60's. Don't know what length bullet you are using but a 120 gr in 25 cal was no problem - seated three in the magazine. Always wanted a 284 - good luck.

I`m planning a 284 on a M1999 sa that I hear is 3.01 in lenght. I don`t know that the extra .2" will make a differance in this round. The added powder space may not be as much as some "improved" cartridges. You`re not blowing out the case or changing the shoulder angle, just adding the differance .2" of bullet makes. The only thing I see that might help is if the rifle is throated deep you may be able to chase the lands with longer bullets (VDLs,Sciroccos`,ect may work better too?)
I wouldn`t worry too much about it.

Winchester's original loadings for the .284 were 125 and 150 grains, with the 125 by far the favorite (it was intended to give ".270/130gr" ballistics in a lever or auto). The 125 is a pretty short bullet. If you intend to use conventional (not long polymer-tipped or partition type bullets) of 140 grains or less, the short magazine on the 722 should be no problem. If you try seating something like a 160 grain partition, you'll be disappointed at the amount of powder space you have to give up.

I guess its all where you come from which bullet weight was the most popular. The 125 gr bullets may have sold well in Texas but you couldn't sell them in Manitoba. I picked up 7 or 8 boxes of the 125 gra few years back for the price of new brass. The owner of the store sold lots of the 150 gr but could not sell the 125s. My 284 is a Sav 99C and I have found in it and a couple other284s that belong to buddies of mine that 145 and 150 gr bullets shot better groups than the 125 or 130 gr. When you get into the heavier bullets you are going to want all the magazine length you can get in my opinion.

Snowman, I would certainly agree with you on regional preferences; if I were primarily hunting in Manitoba, I would no doubt find more use for the 150's. Nonetheless, it is the 125's that got all of the favorable comparisons with the .270 Winchester, and my impression is that the 125's were much more popular in general. I think that in most instances, the 140 is about the right bullet for the .284 for medium game in the deer, caribou, sheep, and goat category. So if I wanted a .284 on a 722 action, I wouldn't let the short magazine stop me, so long as I wasn't planning on moose and elk.

By the way, similarly to your story on the "unwanted" ammunition, I ran across a gun store liquidation where they had about 6 boxes of .284's at a bargain basement price. I bought them all on the spot for a friend who had a .284 without asking him, because I knew he would be happy with the price. There were 4 boxes of 125's and two of 150's. While pleased with the price, his reaction was that he guessed he could always use the two "odd" boxes of 150s if he ever ran completely out of 125's and couldn't find any more. Of course, his only interest was in smallish Texas whitetails.

i built a 284 on a model 7 and had everything up to 140's @ 2.8". didn't need the extra space till' the 160's were used. didn't need those anyway.
you might consider a 120 nosler or barnes. they are tough and fast. no need for anything larger really. i dont think an elk or moose would know the difference between a 120 and a 140. if those were on the menu i might consider something larger in caliber anyway but i wouldn't be afraid to use the 284 on anything but large bears. it is a smokin' round. my 2nd favorite........ try the 120's. it will avoid any problems and is devastating.
woofer

I solved this "problem" by using 140 gr Swift A-frame bullets (at $1.00 per) for deer in my .284, and buying a .300 Win Mag for elk. Took me a surprisingly long time to come to this conclusion, but I think I saved myself a lot of time and money in the end.

P.S. The .284 remains my back-up gun for elk, and with the 140 gr Swifts I have a high degree of confidence in it.

I built my 284 on a Rem 600 action. The magazine box was lengthened to allow a 3.0" COL. My primary bullet use in this caliber is 150-154-160. Which is whu I wanted the little extra length. With a 23" Shilen barrel I get 2950 fps with 150 gr bullets with no pressure signs at all. I get 2900 fps with Win factory 150 gr PP loads. - Dan