Finding the lands - .204

[NorthernTundra]

Hi guys, this is my first post on the forum, but I have been digging through the site for awhile now as I'm planning on buying/building a .308 in the near future.

Anyways, this is the question I have. I'm working up ladder tests for my .204. When I went to find the lands using the Hornaday OAL gauge, I found out that in order for the bullet to just touch the lands, it would only be able to be seated in to the neck a few thousandths. I measured using both the 40gr V-max and 39gr SBK. All the 32 grains (v-max, sbk, balli-tip) would be seated "in the air", doesn't touch the case.

Has anyone else ever run into the lands being this far out on a factory rifle? I'm using a Rem 700 VS SF II.

 

[varmint slayer]

Re: Finding the lands - .204

Pretty common on a Remington to have a long throat straight from the factory. Load them out as far as you can and see how it shoots.

 

[Seawalker]

Re: Finding the lands - .204

Factory loaded 204's are very short since they must also be able to shoot in AR's as well as boltguns. The 204 Ruger doesn't have to be seated as near the lands as some other calibers, and in fact many shoot very tight with factory loads.

I have a Savage Model 16, and I load 32 vmax at oal of 2.345 and 40 vmax at 2.350.

I have loaded all the way out to 2.390 and gotten good accuracy, but that doesn't leave much bullet in the neck. That's okay for target shooting, but for hunting I like a little more bullet in the neck. You'll have to do an OCW or Ladder and then once you find a bullet and powder combination that your rifle shoots well you can adjust in increments of .005 in or out to tighten the groups. pm me if you need more info.

 

[NorthernTundra]

Re: Finding the lands - .204

Thanks for the info guys. When I told a friend about this, he said he's heard of the factory rifles having a long throat, but never this long where you couldn't seat lighter bullets.

Its good to hear that they don't have to be seated at the lands. For a bit I was thinking I might have to get a new barrel.

I will agree that they shoot well with factory loads. Back when I was shooting it frequently, I could consistently shoot sub MOA with 32gr V-max's. But its been roughly 4 years (college in AZ) since I've put more than 10-15 rounds/year down the tube. I'm hoping I can change that.

Thanks again.

 

[pjss]

Re: Finding the lands - .204

dont get too hung up about loading close to the lands.my .204 liked a 15 thou jump but was too long for the magazine so was single feeding.rang my g/smith who suggested 80-100 thou jump!!
tried it and was back to .3 moa 5 shots @100mtr.any thing in between that the groups opened up a bit-so pays to experiment a bit.good luck