need advice on bullet seating depth for .204

[p5200]

With my Savage 10fp .223 and also my Tikka 25-06, I used my Hornady OAL gauge along with the bullet comparator and seated the bullets .010" off the lands and got pretty good groups. Using the same tools except,for the modified .204 case as I did with the other two calibers I found that the 39grn. Sierra Blitzking bullet was barely in the modified case when I went to take the measurement to the ogive. This is with the Rem. 700 vtr for sure I'm going to have to back off way further than .010" my question is what is a good starting point for COAL with with this particular deep throat? I have a box of Hornady 45gr. factory loads my dealer gave me with the gun. should I start at their length then try slightly longer I realize they are different bullets than I am using though. Or, suggestions on a starting length are sure welcome as I don't feel my gauge did me much good in this case so, I'm kind of at a stand still. Thanks.

[Jim White]

Your test were the same as mine, plenty of freebore. I load mine to the MAX OAL per the manual. I use Sierra 39 SBK's and they shoot just fine.

HTH,

[p5200]

Your test were the same as mine, plenty of freebore. I load mine to the MAX OAL per the manual. I use Sierra 39 SBK's and they shoot just fine.

HTH,

My Lyman 49th edition OAL of 2.260 so I will load a few rounds like that and also, a few a little longer and, shorter than the listed max OAL. Thanks.

[Joe O]

As I recall,Hornady factory rounds are 2.250 +/- with a heavy crimp.They seem to shoot fine in all guns,and all gun manufacturers throat the chamber long.A few friends and I ,have independently settled on 2.330-2.350 OAl with the Sie 39gr BK.I have been out to 2.400 and still didn't touch the lands in my Savage LRPV.The cartridge does work with more jump than one would expect.Experiment to find the sweet spot.

[p5200]

Your test were the same as mine, plenty of freebore. I load mine to the MAX OAL per the manual. I use Sierra 39 SBK's and they shoot just fine.

HTH,

If you don't mind me asking, what rifle are you using and your average group sizes at 100-200 yards? Thanks.

[Jim White]

Your test were the same as mine, plenty of freebore. I load mine to the MAX OAL per the manual. I use Sierra 39 SBK's and they shoot just fine.

HTH,

If you don't mind me asking, what rifle are you using and your average group sizes at 100-200 yards? Thanks.

Remington 700 and CZ527. OAL is 2.260 (end-to-end). The acceptable groups range from 0.2 to 0.6 inches at 200 yards.

HTH,

[p5200]

WOW! sounds like your guns are some shooters as well as yourself!

[Jim White]

WOW! sounds like your guns are some shooters as well as yourself!

Thanks, but, it helps to have a good sturdy set up and get it, you and the rifle all adjusted properly before you start shooting. Although it varies by caliber, velocity and so on, but as a general rule, every .008" of movement at the muzzle is 1 MOA down range. Thats not much.

HTH,