204 ruger freebore experiences

[Daryl]

Hmm - I always thought WTBY rifles got 'slightly' higher velocities due to case capacities being larger than the competition & most all of them except for the .224 WTBY running 65,000PSI in factory tune, whereas other ctgs are not loaded to that pressure peak.

WTBY's 1/2" or more free-bore simply requires them to use a lot more powder to achieve minor velocity increases in thier larger cases. Today - it doesn't matter much - many ctg.(Ultra mags are even bigger) are WAY bigger than they perhaps should be and people don't seem to be concerned about throat erosion and barrel longevity like they used to.

The Free-bore-gives-high-speed/theory has been dispelled and/or disproved by "The Rifle Ranch" (Bob Hutton), P.O. Ackley & other over the years. It does make good high "speed advertising", though.

[Bayou City Boy]

Originally Posted by Bill K

Another thing to note, is how deep the factory 204R bullets are seated in the case. That with the long freebore, is what and how Weatherby obtained the velocities he got out of his rifles. You just have to work with your rifle, bullet depth and find that sweet spot, along with the powder the it likes best. Bill K

Didn't Yogi say something about , "Deja Vu all over again"...?

Hal

[andy221]

thanks you guys, just had a little pre-load work up anxiety lol. It's a criterion on a rem 700 with .035 freebore. I think everthing is going to be fine. thanks again.

[andy221]

Here she is! I can't wait to get out and try it!

[montdoug]

Really nice looking rifle Andy and were it mine (and I wish it was ), I'd break it in a bit with the fire one shot and clean approach for a while and then just seat em to where the rifle likes em. As has been pointed out here, some like a jump start best, if they didn't the .204 wouldn't be as popular as it is with most guys just shooting em the way they come . Keep us posted, bet it shoots like crazy!

[Chuck Miller]

I have a 204 with a 35 freebore, not sure what is standard, it's a custom built by Kevin Weaver on his reamer. What I do know is that ammo loaded for my other 204's jam so hard that if I try to pull a round without firing it I usually leave the bullet in the chamber and.....well you know the rest. I don't have pressure problems, it actually shoots very well jammed into the lands. Over the years I sold the other 204's and returned to my 20Tact's so the issue is a non issue, just beware.