Author Topic: Shot my 204 today..... (Read 1044 times)

Chuck White · « **on:** January 03, 2005, 12:47:07 PM »

Yes, I finally got to shoot the Encore 204 Ruger today!

I was impressed with the accuracy of the Hornady factory ammo!
The only targets I had on hand were NRA 50ft timed Pistol! This target has a 7/8 inch bullseye!
After I got the hits into the bullseye at 50 yards, I adjusted the scope up 4 clicks (I think) and fired at the 100 yard target 3 times! I had 2 hits inside the bullseye, about 3/8 inch apart and one hit just outside the bullseye! Total spread was exactly 1 inch, center to center!

This is most definitely going to be a fun gun!

With accuracy like this with Factory Ammo, reloading is going to be interesting to say the least!

skb2706 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2005, 07:55:34 AM »

I have a carbine length barrel coming for my Contender that I can't wait to start working with. Other than making up brass from .222 Rem mag any ideas on where you can buy brass ?

Chuck White · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2005, 03:44:17 AM »

The talk has been that 204 brass was supposed to be readily available in January 2005 from Midsouth and from Midway!

Well, it's January and I haven't gotten a positive reply from either place!

You may have to do like I did and splurge for the factory stuff!
As I have already stated, I was very impressed by the accuracy of the factory ammo! Also, it has the 204 Ruger head stamp!
The cost wasn't too bad, $15.50 per box of 20!
That's the first Factory ammo I've bought in over 25 years!

skb2706 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2005, 06:34:32 AM »

I know what you mean..........I have a box of factory ammo I got years ago for my .300 WM that I still haven't used up.
My barrel should be here in a week or so and by then maybe somebody will have brass. I will need a couple hundred just to get started so I am avoiding factory stuff and prefer not to fireform 300 rds.
I am putting it together for a gift for my sons birthday......carbine .204 on a new G2 frame with some nice wood. Already have base and mounts, dies and bullets are on the way, scope is yet to be determined but I am leaning toward a Sightron S2.

Another prairie dog nightmare !!

Chuck White · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2005, 04:57:24 AM »

The components are available!

Several companies are making .20 bullets, in several weights!
There are lots of powders available!
Brass is available, in the loaded form!

Buy some factory ammo and save the brass for reloading!
I'll bet empty brass will be available for reloading before you wear out the brass from the factory ammo!

With the numbers of factory rifles and barrels available, you just KNOW that the brass WILL be available!

abhound · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2005, 08:06:24 PM »

If you really need brass, do a search on Ebay. I picked up 600 once fired brass for $125. I know that's expensive, but not as bad as buying factory ammo

Catfish · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2005, 01:10:50 PM »

Forming .204 brass from .222 mag. brass is not hard at all. I load on a 550 Dillon press and start with .222 mag. brass and it comes out the other end as .204 Ruger loaded ammo. Your case capisity may be alittle less than factory brass so don`t start with max. loads. One thing I like about doing it that way is that you case necks are thicker. This makes a factory barrel look more like a tight necked custom barrel.

chops · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2005, 12:15:03 PM »

Just joined today. Thinking of buying an encore. I heard today that midway has the new 204 winchester factory brass.

Catfish · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2005, 05:24:24 AM »

Forming brass for the .204 from .222 mag. brass is no problem. You don`t need form dies or anything special. Set your sizeing die long and plraitly size your case necks. The reason I say set it long is that you must head space on the shoulder from on the case neck for fire forming so you don`t want to run it dowm to far. You can set your die down untill the brass with chamber with the action closeing just alittle stiff. After you get your die set correctly just load the brass as if it were .204 brass. I use a small amount of case lube on the neck for forming but no other lube on new cases. I also work up a load that is fairly accurate befor loading all of the cases to be fire formed and then just go hunting or to the range or what ever. After I`m done fire forming I then trim the cases and get them ready for the rest of their life. :wink: