Bearing length

Share information about reloading the 204 Ruger.
Sth Oz Dan
Senior Member
Posts: 406
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2011 9:52 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Ruger M77 Hawkeye
Location: South Australia

Bearing length

Post by Sth Oz Dan »

I thought I had my load for 35 Bergers nearly fine tuned. 2 3-shot groups with O.A.L. .01" apart at .55" and .38"
But I ran out of bullets. So I ordered some more and can't get close to those groups.
Luckily I kept 1 of the old batch, and I measured that against the new. The new ones seem to have a 0.01" longer bearing length.
What to do with that info :chin:

I measure from base to ogive with Hornady comparator, so I thought that should have eliminated that difference.
But I guess the base of the bullet is now 10thou deeper.

So I'm thinking the next step is to seat 10thou longer?

Any suggestions?
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2324
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: Bearing length

Post by Bill K »

Ah the fun of experimenting.. That just might do it. I am not sure, but it would be worth a try. Bill K
Sth Oz Dan
Senior Member
Posts: 406
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2011 9:52 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Ruger M77 Hawkeye
Location: South Australia

Re: Bearing length

Post by Sth Oz Dan »

Seems to have done the trick.
I'll probably recheck some loads at the original depth to see if I just had an off day, but 3/4" 5 shot seems fairly acceptable for what they're coming out of.
Now, what else can I test :D
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