Fellow 204ers, I'm wanting some feed back on primers for my .204. I've been loading BM2 and a range of projectiles (32's & 39/40's) with CCI primers. On 5 occasions now i've had pierced primers, 2 on a max load and the others 1.5 gns under max. It was suggested that either the primers are crap, or i've got a stuffed firing pin spring. Any suggestions?
Been getting inch 5 shot groups but obviously it should do nice 'ragged hole' groups, or i might as well use my 7-08 as that gets the same groups i'm getting with 204 now! Have bought some rem & winchester primers, as well as 2206h to try.
(Rifle is a custom on a second hand rem 700 SA with Kreiger 1-10 twist 23.5" tube and HS stock)
primers for .204
-
feralbuster
- 17 Hornet
- Posts: 299
- Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:18 pm
- Location: Roseworthy SA
-
zzsstt
The primers that don't get pierced, do they show a nice "round" firing pin indentation? No nasty jagged edges? Are all the indents of constant size and depth? Are the primers all seated correctly and not protruding above the case head? Are they seated tightly in new brass, or are they loose in old worn cases? Have you checked the headspace on the fired cartridges, or are there any other signs of stretching?
I assume the firing pin is not constantly protruding from the bolt, and you've checked to make sure there's not a piece of primer stuck on the end of it?
Are the 5 pierced primers out of a total of 10 shots fired or many (100's, 1000's)?
I'm not yet a .204er, but I use CCI Benchrest primers and I've never had a problem with them.
I assume the firing pin is not constantly protruding from the bolt, and you've checked to make sure there's not a piece of primer stuck on the end of it?
Are the 5 pierced primers out of a total of 10 shots fired or many (100's, 1000's)?
I'm not yet a .204er, but I use CCI Benchrest primers and I've never had a problem with them.
-
feralbuster
- 17 Hornet
- Posts: 299
- Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:18 pm
- Location: Roseworthy SA
more details on .204
All new brass, remington & nosler (has pierced on both)
Headspace fine
No, it isn't a nice, clean indent (like my other rem 700), it has a little crater with jagged edges.
Nothing seems visibly wrong with the pin- have had the bolt apart and lubed with proshot grease.
Doesn't protrude past the bolt face
Are you thinking my spring is stuffed?
5 out of 70 loads fired so far...
Headspace fine
No, it isn't a nice, clean indent (like my other rem 700), it has a little crater with jagged edges.
Nothing seems visibly wrong with the pin- have had the bolt apart and lubed with proshot grease.
Doesn't protrude past the bolt face
Are you thinking my spring is stuffed?
5 out of 70 loads fired so far...
-
trevort
- Spud Gun
- Posts: 12710
- Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2006 9:21 pm
- Favourite Cartridge: Tater
- Location: Melbourne
nothing wrong with your rifle. You need to use a thick cupped primer for the 204 as it will blow standard primers with starting loads.
If you search the 204um you will find 3 recommended.
I chose rem 7 1/2 benchrest primers and they work magically with 2206h.
I think one of the federals and maybe one of the CCIs were the other 2 but you would have to check.
Your twist rate is ideal for 40s, I wouldnt muck around with 32s if I was you.
If you search the 204um you will find 3 recommended.
I chose rem 7 1/2 benchrest primers and they work magically with 2206h.
I think one of the federals and maybe one of the CCIs were the other 2 but you would have to check.
Your twist rate is ideal for 40s, I wouldnt muck around with 32s if I was you.
-
feralbuster
- 17 Hornet
- Posts: 299
- Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:18 pm
- Location: Roseworthy SA
Thanks for that. I was recommended the 1-10 twist rate by Brendan Atkinson (ASJ) as i said i'd prefer to use 39/40's so that i've got enough energy out at 200-250 yds to get consistent kills on foxes.
Hopefully the no.7's will work out.
One final thing: what is the address for the 204um? I googled it but didn't come up trumps.
Hopefully the no.7's will work out.
One final thing: what is the address for the 204um? I googled it but didn't come up trumps.
-
Ackley Improved
- 6mm Dasher
- Posts: 1898
- Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 12:24 pm
- Location: Albury
-
jb747
Rem 7½ are the go for the 204. And as Trev said, 2206H....
We've been shooting a Rem LVSF in 204 for a couple of years, and it's the standard 1:12 twist. It shoots the 39 gr Sierra magnificently. Factory Hornady 40s were good for 1 moa, but I never investigated a handload for them as the Sierra was so good.
Our second 204 was a custom using a 1:10 PacNor barrel. We were never able to get that rifle to dial in well enough. It would shoot sub moa, but it wasn't in the same league as the factory barrel. It's currently being rebarrelled again, and this time will be a 1:12 Lilja.
We've been shooting a Rem LVSF in 204 for a couple of years, and it's the standard 1:12 twist. It shoots the 39 gr Sierra magnificently. Factory Hornady 40s were good for 1 moa, but I never investigated a handload for them as the Sierra was so good.
Our second 204 was a custom using a 1:10 PacNor barrel. We were never able to get that rifle to dial in well enough. It would shoot sub moa, but it wasn't in the same league as the factory barrel. It's currently being rebarrelled again, and this time will be a 1:12 Lilja.
-
trevort
- Spud Gun
- Posts: 12710
- Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2006 9:21 pm
- Favourite Cartridge: Tater
- Location: Melbourne
AI, the 1 in 12 is marginal for the 40s but they all shoot the 39BK. It seems 1 in 12 is on the limit and no one could work out why some rifles shot them and some didnt. You might have seen a post from Glenn a few days ago, he said he must have one of those 12 1/2s
Some guys on the 204um actually measured their twist rates and some factory rifles are 12 some 12 1/2. That has been proposed as the answer why the 40s do it in some and not others.
If you have a custom barrel and it is definetely 1 in 12 then you should be fine. If not then the 39 BK will make it sing.
Disappointed about JBs barrel, hope it was a particular problem for that barrel and not indicative of a problem with the twist rate, my Krieger will be a 1 in 10
Some guys on the 204um actually measured their twist rates and some factory rifles are 12 some 12 1/2. That has been proposed as the answer why the 40s do it in some and not others.
If you have a custom barrel and it is definetely 1 in 12 then you should be fine. If not then the 39 BK will make it sing.
Disappointed about JBs barrel, hope it was a particular problem for that barrel and not indicative of a problem with the twist rate, my Krieger will be a 1 in 10
-
feralbuster
- 17 Hornet
- Posts: 299
- Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:18 pm
- Location: Roseworthy SA
the twist rate can of worms...
Thanks for your help fellas. I got worried after i took that advice on the twist rate then found that all the factories were 1-12's AFTER i'd ordered my barrel.
I'm sure it's going to come back to the rpimer/powder combo. When my 'gunsmith' tested it he put 3 32gn vmax down the same hole- I started to think it was a fluke. Will post an image of target if it shoots right, otherwise you won't hear from me!
I'm sure it's going to come back to the rpimer/powder combo. When my 'gunsmith' tested it he put 3 32gn vmax down the same hole- I started to think it was a fluke. Will post an image of target if it shoots right, otherwise you won't hear from me!