Howa 204 OAL ?

Share information about reloading the 204 Ruger.
rossandjet
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.204 Ruger Guns: Howa 204 s/s lightening sporter
Location: Nr Manchester UK

Howa 204 OAL ?

Post by rossandjet »

I have just started reloading for my 204 Howa s/s Sporter and I am finding that I am governed to a maximum 2.30” OAL by the length of the magazine.

I have measured the distance to the lands and the nearest I can get is 150 thou. Although accuracy is not affected by this long jump and I know other Howa owners that have to do the same, I just wondered if this is just an oddity of the Howa or is it common to other makes.
kenbrofox
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.204 Ruger Guns: remington vls 204
Location: lancashire UK

Re: Howa 204 OAL ?

Post by kenbrofox »

r a j,
I can't help, but, if you go to search and type in Howa coal there's some info there. Regs;Ken.
' Pay it forward buddy '
Inrut24/7
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.204 Ruger Guns: Howa 1500
Location: Bedford county, PA

Re: Howa 204 OAL ?

Post by Inrut24/7 »

My howa shoots best with a cartridge overall length of 2.265, yours may be different though.
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glenn asher
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.204 Ruger Guns: Savage 12fvss, CZ 527 American
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Re: Howa 204 OAL ?

Post by glenn asher »

It's actually common with all makes and models of .204 factory rifles, which don't seem to mind the "jump" to the rifling as much as some other cartridges. I can't think of any factory magazine rifle that allows you to reach the lands with the bullet seated to magazine length.

I won't complain about it, since I've been known to miss a shot now and then :wink:, and the extra shot gives me a "chance" to fix my error. If I could just get the groundhog to sit still and honor that chance, I'd be even happier.
Build a man a fire, and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life!
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futuretrades
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.204 Ruger Guns: HOWA 1500 .204 Ruger Varmint, Bull Bbl, Lupy 6-18x40 custom

Re: Howa 204 OAL ?

Post by futuretrades »

glenn asher wrote:It's actually common with all makes and models of .204 factory rifles, which don't seem to mind the "jump" to the rifling as much as some other cartridges. I can't think of any factory magazine rifle that allows you to reach the lands with the bullet seated to magazine length.
glenn is right on.

For my 204 Howa, I am seating a 39gr. SBK at 2.347 OAL. I don't particularly care that they won't feed into the magazine, as this rifle is a bench gun for the rat fields shooting off of a bench. And feeding 1 round at a time is more desireable for me, as it slows down my shooting a bit so things will cool down just a tad in between shots. Also with a bull barrel, the rifle weighs in way too much to be packing around out in the field.
This may or may not be the case for you, as you did not mention in your post. If you need that second or third shot, quickly, keep things the way you have them now. Most 204's that are production rifles shoot very well with a Long Jump to the lands. :twocents:
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wirelessguy2005
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.204 Ruger Guns: Custom 20 SCC, Savage LRPV 20 Nitro , Howa 1500 204 Ruger
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Re: Howa 204 OAL ?

Post by wirelessguy2005 »

I agree with the rest of you guys. all of my .204's seem to like the jump as well.
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Arizona Hunter
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Re: Howa 204 OAL ?

Post by Arizona Hunter »

Never measured mine. I just load 32 and 40 V-Max to 2.25" to 2.26" and they both shot 1/2" groups every day with RL 15 powder.
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