SmallCaliberCentral

has anyone switched a 204 remington 700 over to a det. mag system? i suppose the wyatt's 223 kit might work, or maybe a badger bottom metal that uses the AI 223 mag.

anyone tried either of those???
or maybe something else???

i know a few people say that 204s don't necessarily feed great out of 223 AR type mags, and some people say they do fine.

any help is appreciated!

Thought about doing so to one of the s/a 223's I have, but so far have only went to the mag style bottom on one of my Howa's. Works just fine. Bill K

Not a dbm, but I installed a bdl mag well extension on my .22-250 SPS. Sold through Midway (can't think of brand), it's plastic and replaces the bottom metal; I gained 3 rounds. Not as convenient as a detachable, but a lot cheaper at $20. Not positive if it'll work with a .204; will do some checking...

I'm using the Wyatt DBM on my Remington 700. It feeds the 204 just fine.

thanks!

What rifle are you using? Mine is an SPS Varmint. I replaced the factory stock with a B&C A4. Don't if that will make a difference with the Wyatt bottom metal. It shouldn't.

Ks what is the OAL of your rounds? Did you have to shorten them to fit the detachable mag? I have thought about getting a Wyatt setup but if it shortens my round up too much my gun ain't going to like it I'm right on max for the hinged floor plate! I too have the SPS varmint.

Boomer

man, it is crazy how different 204 guns respond to o.a.l.! mine is a very recent production sps varmint, in an early h.s. precision PSS stock. the first rounds i used in it were previously worked up for my ruger number one, and their oal was 2.260. they shot great out of the remington right off the bat, but i figured it would like longer ones better. after one session with different powders and primers, using the sierra bk instead of the vmax, i decide to work up various lengths. i couldn't get 2.340s to work in my magwell, but they weren't anywhere close to hitting the rifling, so i started there (loading one at a time!), and worked backwards toward 2.250. 2.325 was the longest length that worked smoothly feeding from the mag. BUT! the 2.260 length still was by far the best groups. it shot a .199 group with the 39g sierras, and a .247 group with the 40g vmax, both at 2.260. i had to get below 2.290 to even get back in the .500 range. all these test loads were very tightly matched, brass previously fired from THIS gun/ charges trickled, etc.

at the same time, the factory 32g hornady vmax stuff is unbelievably accurate right out of the box (from BOTH guns!). the ruger consistently went in the .500-.600 range if you let the barrel cool a little, and the rem instantly put them into the low .400 range (.437 best group, but i have only shot about 3 groups with these).

now, i am thinking i might need to get some 32g bullets and go through all this stuff again!

i will have to say that the little 204 is an interesting round. my usual rule of thumb is "get the bullet close to the rifling, and get it fast", and go from there. i have just had to throw all that out the window with the remington! mine is liking moderate speed, and a LONG jump to the rifling.

with my gun seeming to like "shorter" cartridges, i am even more interested in maybe switching over to a det mag system. if they are ever available again(!), maybe i will try the wyatt setup.

i appreciate everyones' help!

ed

Boomer sorry it took me so long too get back to you. It's planting season here and doing more working than shooting it seems. I'm using 2.26 for a COL with both 32gr. V Max and 39 gr SBK. Getting sub .5 in. groups with both. Sometimes even better when I do my part.

That's great what would the max OAL be to fit in the mag?

2.26 is going to be about it in my magazines.

.204 Ruger cartridges I load work perfectly in two separate barrels, a Shilen in a Savage single shot, and a Pac-Nor in another single shot. I recently added a separate custom built upper to a Colt M-4 Carbine using a Hart barrel, and the .201 Ruger cycles through without a hitch at .2.260" OAL across all bullets, Nosler, Hornady (the little 24 grain NTX driven by ACC LT-32 powder shoots .25"), and Barnes Varmint Grenade. Even the Berger 50 grain (discontinued) and 55 grain shoot well in the faster twists, although having a bit more room to seat out at 2.300" is better. The same loads for both bolt actions (2.260") shoot sub .5" groups all rifles, amazing because each barrel is a different twist, 1:12", 1:8.5", 1:9".