Max Case Length

Share information about reloading the 204 Ruger.
Paul
New Member
Posts: 37
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:44 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Encore w/ MGM barrel

Max Case Length

Post by Paul »

In the manuals the "max case length" is 1.85 for the 204, but if I do not have a precision barrel why couldn't the length be longer and how long do you or can you determine the max case length in your barrel will except?
bret1963
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Posts: 12
Joined: Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:02 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage 25

Re: Max Case Length

Post by bret1963 »

:chin: If the bolt is hard to close or won't close your to long. find one that is to long trim just alittle at a time till it works smooth. But i wouldn't think it would be much over 1.85 but you never know.
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futuretrades
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Posts: 835
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:16 am
.204 Ruger Guns: HOWA 1500 .204 Ruger Varmint, Bull Bbl, Lupy 6-18x40 custom

Re: Max Case Length

Post by futuretrades »

i used a sinclair chamber length gauge on both my 204 and my 223. my 204 is a factory howa 1500. i found out that my chamber length is 1.868 on this particular rifle. i never let my brass "grow" to that length, but i could. i use the book standard of trim to length of 1.840, and anything over 1.850, definitly gets trimmed. i do trim all my cases in the same batch, back to 1.840, if i find one close to the max length, no matter if they are only say .003 over my trim to length. this is, imho, the best way to keep my brass at a uniform length, for more consistent accuracy.
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HOWA 1500 Varmint 204 Ruger, Bull Barrel, Hogue Overmold Stock, Leupold VXII 6-18x40mm AO LRV Custom Reticle Timney Trigger
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bigun
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Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 4:36 am
.204 Ruger Guns: vssf .204 remmington

Re: Max Case Length

Post by bigun »

i trim mine to 1.840 every time i reload .yes they do stretch not all but some but i still check them all .if your going for top notch ammo .case prep is the only way to go ..
WrzWaldo
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Posts: 745
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 10:34 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Remington XR-100 / Savage-Douglas-Richards

Re: Max Case Length

Post by WrzWaldo »

As has been pointed out, if you measure your chamber length you could conceivably let your brass grow out if you have a long chamber. What you don't want to do is crank the bolt closed if the neck is making contact with the end of the chamber as that may put a bit of a crimp on the bullet and possibly cause a pressure spike. If you’re loading near or at the top of the scale that could be a real bummer.

WW
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