Getting started Reloading .204 Ruger....What Dies?

Share information about reloading the 204 Ruger.
Mount Sweetness
New Member
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 6:36 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Ruger M77 Hawkeye

Getting started Reloading .204 Ruger....What Dies?

Post by Mount Sweetness »

Hello,

I'm new on here but have been reading up on everything on this site for months.

I've been reloading .22-250 and .243 for a little while, new to .204 Ruger.

What dies are you guys using? I usually use Lee Dies with my Lee Challenger Press but cannot get them for .204 Ruger...?

What case length gauges do you use? Lee does not make one more .204, how do you measure and trim your cases?

Just bought a M77 Hawkeye in .204, now I am having trouble finding dies......

Thanks for your help
Greg
darchell
Senior Member
Posts: 132
Joined: Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:25 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage 12 Varmint VLP
Location: New Jersey

Re: Getting started Reloading .204 Ruger....What Dies?

Post by darchell »

Greg,
I am also new here but am learning as I go. I have found that the consensus for the loading die question seems to be Redding dies. Of course I found this out right after I bought RCBS dies. I am looking to get a set of competition dies next week. As for the case length gauge I cannot help you there I have not posted that question yet to know the answer. I did just post the question one the dies. I was more interested in if it was worth using the competition dies or not. Hope this helps at least a little.
Dar
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Captqc
Senior Member
Posts: 1036
Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:09 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Cooper Phoenix .204
Location: Tigard, OR.

Re: Getting started Reloading .204 Ruger....What Dies?

Post by Captqc »

Greg, first off welcome to the forum! As to which dies, Dar is correct when he told you that Redding seem to be the way to go. Have fun and keep posting. And by the way we love pictures around here. Gary
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Sidewinderwa
Senior Member
Posts: 648
Joined: Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:39 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Savages
Location: Washington state

Re: Getting started Reloading .204 Ruger....What Dies?

Post by Sidewinderwa »

I went with the Forster dies for my 204 and am very happy with them. I favor Forster and Redding dies. You can use a caliper to measure your lengths. The Nosler reloading manual has 1.850 inches for a case length. Welcome to the site, great bunch of shooting fanatics lurking around here.
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acloco
Senior Member
Posts: 1708
Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:53 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: 12FV, 12BVSS -S
Location: Nebraska

Re: Getting started Reloading .204 Ruger....What Dies?

Post by acloco »

Redding, Forster, & Hornady (in that order).

If I had the ultimate die...it would be manufactured on Redding's equipment, with blank dies from Forster, and uses a Hornady expander/decapper.

You can add the micrometer adjustment to Hornady's dies for $15-18.
WI3Der
New Member
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2007 2:41 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: cz 527

Re: Getting started Reloading .204 Ruger....What Dies?

Post by WI3Der »

For sizing I went with a Redding Type S Full Bushing Die (.225 bushing). I set it so it sizes about 75% of the neck and just bumps the shoulder for easy chambering. For seating I use the Forster Bench Rest Seater. Uniformity is excellent with this system. Another option that i use for .223 is a Redding Body Die and a Lee Collet Neck Die. Once i figured out the Collet die in a RCBS press uniformity is as good as the Redding/Forster combo. Or you could go full out Redding Type S die sets. I did not have much luck with standard die sets. Good luck!
foxwhistler
Senior Member
Posts: 169
Joined: Sat May 19, 2007 4:03 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Remington L.V.S.F
Location: ceredigion, wales

Re: Getting started Reloading .204 Ruger....What Dies?

Post by foxwhistler »

I use a Lee neck sizing die and a foster micrometer seating die and it produces ammo in the very low .3`s.
I only have to be lucky once,
the fox has to be lucky every time!
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Medic52
Junior Member
Posts: 85
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2008 7:17 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Rem 700 SPS Varmint
Location: Missouri

Re: Getting started Reloading .204 Ruger....What Dies?

Post by Medic52 »

I'm a LEE fan and thats what I use for all.........
" The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he LOVES what is behind him." G.K.Chesterton

REM 700 SPS Varmint Elite 6x24x40
LIFE MEMBER NRA
TROPHY LIFE MEMBER NAHC
Jim White
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Posts: 1406
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 2:06 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: CZ-527, Remington 700 VLTHSS

Re: Getting started Reloading .204 Ruger....What Dies?

Post by Jim White »

I like Redding but Forester has worked real good for me too. They're just harder to find on the shelf.

Jim
Varmintcaller
Junior Member
Posts: 53
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2008 3:25 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Howa 15001vosv
Location: S.W. IDAHO

Re: Getting started Reloading .204 Ruger....What Dies?

Post by Varmintcaller »

I use Hornady dies.......No Problems.
MDHogHunter
New Member
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2008 6:56 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Remington Model Seven

Re: Getting started Reloading .204 Ruger....What Dies?

Post by MDHogHunter »

I used the Lee Die set and had major problems. The collet die I still use for neck sizing and de-priming. I use a Redding Competition Die for bullet seating now, and it is amazing. The numbers are easy to use, and precise!
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