204 “sako”

[204 Hunter]

Hi All
I have owned a 204 sako 85 hunter laminate for the last 6 years or so
It’s about to be re barreled in 20 cal
My plan is to run a 204 ruger reamer in to suit 223 brass.
The reason for this is the length of the 85 mag requires the projies to be seated way past the neck shoulder junction and it just doesn’t look right.
It has functioned just fine and been very accurate but with a new barrel due I thought I’d do something a little different and use 223 brass and fire form to the 204 shape allowing the projectile to seat above the neck shoulder junction and feed through the 85 mag.
I will just shorten my 204 dies to suit, run 223 brass through to neck size, load, shoot and hopefully Robert is your fathers brother
Has anyone done this?

[trevort]

Yes but I pushed the shoulder back 30 thou by shortening the 204 fl die

It’s called a JAB 20


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[Tackleberry]

So you want a 20 practical if you have a brain and don't want to stuff around ......

[trevort]

Ther is zero stuffing around to get the 204 shoulder angle.
Just drop off your does at the smith.

There is a lot of stuffing around if you want a longer neck.

Unless of course you do it properly with 20 tactical reamer and dies


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[204 Hunter]

My Smith has a practical reamer but I want to try the 204 short option, it will have a bit more boiler room
I’ll let you know if it works

[204 Hunter]

Yes but I pushed the shoulder back 30 thou by shortening the 204 fl die

It’s called a JAB 20


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The neck length on the 204 and 223 look much the same
Did you make a custom reamer?

[trevort]

I didn’t, Clancy made it but I’m pretty sure he did it by putting the throating reamer in further. Not always great in my technical terminology but he used reamers that allowed him to do the body and neck separately


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[204 Hunter]

I decided to try a 204-222 which means I got my smith to run the 204 reamer in to suit 222 brass
This will be a little different to a 20-222 but would someone recommend a start point and powder?
I have 2206H
Projies I have are 39gn speers
Thanks

[Camel]

2207 powder is the go, or BM1, Marcus uses BM1 and it seems to go very well for him, I started with 2207 and as I have a few KG of it, I can't see myself changing any time soon.

One thing, the body of the chamber, will it be tighter after using the 204 reamer pushed in less, might pay to check.

[204 Hunter]

Thanks for the advice
I’ll give it a go

[Camel]

Spose I should have mentioned the load I use, 21.5gn 2207, Rem 7 1/2 primers Lapua brass with 32gn Zmax projectiles. I have used 32gn Vmax and 32gn Nosler BT, they all shot into the same group, I went with the cheap option and have not been sorry. I did load test some 39gn Sierras, shot to the same windage, just an inch lower, I haven't used any since. You will have a bit more capacity with the shorter neck.

[Branxhunter]

I too only use 32gn z-maxes and Rem 7 1/2 BR primers, but in Win brass. My load uses 24.1gn of BM1, but rounds from Missed loaded with 22.0gn AR2207 or 24.0gn of AR2219 (Lapua and Sako cases) all shoot to same POI with similar accuracy, and velocity around 4,000 - 4,100 fps.

Marcus

[204 Hunter]

I ended up getting Matt P to run a 204 reamer in short to suit a 222 case.
Pic shows
222,222 necked up to 6mm, sized to 20 cal,annealed case, loaded case, fire formed case loaded.

21gns of BM1 gave approx 3400fps with a 39gn - room for improvement
I’m hoping for 3700

This is the best group
Decided not to show the worst which was around 1.5”
Just fire forming groups
Pretty happy so far

[Camel]

Looks bloody good mate, so have you measured capacity over a standard 222, would imagine you would gain a couple of grains worth of capacity.

[204 Hunter]

I’ll check soon