SmallCaliberCentral

I've settled on 27.0 grains of H4895. While less than max in my gun, that's my barrel's sweet spot for the 39 gr. BK. I haven't tried 10x. I found that GI 20 round mags are nearly perfect for a 204 AR. They are the best compromise between capacity and shootability off a rest or prone and they offer ...

I've loaded for a 24" DPMS-barrelled parts gun for a couple of years. Mine likes the 39 gr. Sierra BlitzKings the best, with the Nosler 32 grain Ballistic Tips a close second. With the 39 BK shooting so well I haven't tried the 40 grainers. Nor have I tried the 35 gr. Bergers in the AR, probabl...

For the last 3 years I've been reloading 204 for an AR parts gun I put together myself, using a DPMS 24" barrel. The gun is extremely accurate, but I've found reloading for it requires attention to certain details. My chamber is pretty tight and the first dies I got, an RCBS set, didn't set the...

After visiting the creek, you could further torture yourself spending a day in this beautiful Montana State Park. http://fwp.mt.gov/parks/visit/parkSiteD ... ?id=283312

I picked up a pound of 8208 in mid-January at the local gun store after reading the article in the Hogdon 2010 mag/manual. I have a CZ 527 sporter that has been indifferent to the loads that shoot well in my other 204's, struggling to get under an inch. So, I figured it couldn't hurt to risk $25. Ul...

I load for a DPMS barreled 204 AR that has a real tight chamber. I started several years ago with a set of RCBS dies. The sizing die had two problems. First, the expander ball was too big for the case mouth to hold the bullet tightly during the feed cycle without a crimp. Second, even screwed into t...

I swear I've seen that varmint before. Isn't that the gopher from Caddyshack?

Sorry. I'm conflicted about getting out to play golf and shoot rodents. So little time, so many targets.

I'm interested, but not enough to try it out just yet. Any volunteers?

I agree that having both is best. But if you have to prioritize, I wouldn't skimp on the laser rangefinder. A Leica 900 or 1200 will outperform, by a wide margin, anything not named Swarovski. Plus, the optics are top notch.

I used my 17/223 Sako once to kill a doe jackalope (the ones without the antlers). It was a 300 yard shot, so I wasn't scared--well, not too much.

I do know that Pentax uses, under license, the Burris Ballistic Plex reticle. I don't know if the 4.5-14's are the same scope, but since the plain-jane FFII's are made in Asia (my Tactical 6.5-20x50 FFII is marked "Made in USA"), I wouldn't be shocked.

Generally, the rule of thumb is to measure along the lower arm, from the inside of the elbow joint to the fingertips. The average on adult males in this country (who U.S.-sold guns are designed for) is from 13" to 15" so the length of pull for most long guns is in that range. Since she's s...

I built a 204 AR upper before last varmint season and spent a bit of time working out the kinks. I bought a DPMS stainless, fluted 24" 1-12" barrel from Brownells and mounted it on a DPMS Hi-ride upper. That upper was out of spec, so I bought a Model 1 flattop upper which has worked great....

Is your scope one of the daylight/twilight scopes? There is a ring to move to swap between the two. Yes, my old Burris has the daylight/twilight iris. I called Burris Customer Service to arrange a new reticle and the tech talked me out of it, saying the peep reticle would be destroyed and they don'...

I put a Signature 6-24 with a peep reticle on a Ruger 77V in 220 Swift more than 25 years ago. I liked the glass, but never cared for the turret placement which limited mounting options on other guns. Hence I stayed away from Burris until they redesigned the tubes a few years ago and I got a good de...