Re: Question regarding free bore
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 8:12 pm
Apparently speed sells - like 4200 fps or the fastest loaded factory cartridge.
I have 2 stainless super match PacNor barrels and like them very much.
I have yet to load a .204 Ruger but I have been playing around with the "free bore" question for some time. I like to use long heavy bullets, 140 gr. 6.5mm, in some of my rifle for shooting at steel targets and these rifles have long leades, so long that the loaded rounds won't fit into the magazine. Yet these rifles, 2 6.5-.308's also shoot the stubby 95 gr. 6.5 Hornady VMax very well. I make sure the 95 gr boat tail bullets are securely held in the neck of the brass at a depth somewhat more than one caliber (.264 in) and check bullet runout of loaded rounds. I turn my necks to ensure uniformity as I neck down .308 Win cases to 6.5 mm and .264 bullets just fit with little resistance inside unsized fired rounds. My rifles have minimal neck size chambers. Lee collet dies and the Lee seater work just fine and I full length resize when needed with a 7mm-08 full length die with no decappper or expander. I usually seat long bullets out to just touch the rifling.
Using the same thinking I am about to launch a .204 Ruger project and plan to provide a dummy round to the gunsmith who will cut the chamber - it has to fit inside the magazine, close enough to contact the rifling if I want it to, able to launch either the 39 gr Sierra BK or 40 gr H VMax (1-11). Speed is secondary to function and accuracy. I may or may not turn necks. I will know more when I get into things.
The comments and questions have been real valuable.
I have 2 stainless super match PacNor barrels and like them very much.
I have yet to load a .204 Ruger but I have been playing around with the "free bore" question for some time. I like to use long heavy bullets, 140 gr. 6.5mm, in some of my rifle for shooting at steel targets and these rifles have long leades, so long that the loaded rounds won't fit into the magazine. Yet these rifles, 2 6.5-.308's also shoot the stubby 95 gr. 6.5 Hornady VMax very well. I make sure the 95 gr boat tail bullets are securely held in the neck of the brass at a depth somewhat more than one caliber (.264 in) and check bullet runout of loaded rounds. I turn my necks to ensure uniformity as I neck down .308 Win cases to 6.5 mm and .264 bullets just fit with little resistance inside unsized fired rounds. My rifles have minimal neck size chambers. Lee collet dies and the Lee seater work just fine and I full length resize when needed with a 7mm-08 full length die with no decappper or expander. I usually seat long bullets out to just touch the rifling.
Using the same thinking I am about to launch a .204 Ruger project and plan to provide a dummy round to the gunsmith who will cut the chamber - it has to fit inside the magazine, close enough to contact the rifling if I want it to, able to launch either the 39 gr Sierra BK or 40 gr H VMax (1-11). Speed is secondary to function and accuracy. I may or may not turn necks. I will know more when I get into things.
The comments and questions have been real valuable.