.204 Rugar Brass

ksorange · April 23, 2011, 09:36 PM

I just got my first .204. Can anyone tell me if they have formed cases, using223 brass! Thanks

Brian Pfleuger · April 23, 2011, 10:15 PM

You would lose a large amount of case capacity compared to real .204 cases and your final case may not be long enough, being that it starts out about .090 shorter than a .204.

Real .204 brass is easily available. The loss of case capacity would practically neuter the round. You might as well have bought a .223 if you do that.

zplinker · April 23, 2011, 10:25 PM

When the 204 came out, brass was scarce, so we fire formed the parent case: 222 Rem. Mag. Squeeze the neck down to hold a .20 bullet, set the shoulder to a jam fit in your chamber, and viola. But now, why not buy the real thing.

Jim243 · April 23, 2011, 11:12 PM

it is made from the 222 Rem Mag hull

Jim

A_Gamehog · April 28, 2011, 01:02 AM

The 204 Ruger does not use the .223 as the parent case, it's case is from the 222 mag.

20 Pratical= .223 case sized down
20 Tactical= .223 case sized down

I recently had a quest to get a 20 cal gun and wanted the 20 Pratical, I gave up when nobody around here had a reamer or had ever done one. I now have a 204 Ruger AR-15. It shoots as good as any factory bolt gun I have if not better.

I have used Hornady, R-P, and Winchester Brass. They charge 23-25 for 50 Hornady cases, and 25-30 for 100 R-P or Winchester cases. The loads worked in the Hornady and R-P,and Winchester are able to work in each other.

R-10X and N-140 for the 32 Grain V-Max
R-10X for the 39 Sierra and 40 V-max.

I used the Dan Newberry Method. Optimal Charge Weight

http://www.optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/

I settled on a "Mild" load, I have shot some brass 3-4 times, and never had to trim for length yet.

DoubleUp · April 28, 2011, 08:07 AM

Best place to buy brass is normally Powder Valley. They are currently out of Win which does pretty well. Price listed at $23.45/100. Some 204 guys go with Norma or Nosler if they are looking for ultimate accuracy, but lots more money. I like the Win brass and don't have any problem getting excellent accuracy with it. It holds up well to mutliple loadings especially if you anneal about every 3 or 4th firing. No split necks so far with some cases having over 10 loadings.

wingman · April 28, 2011, 08:20 AM

Purchase 3 boxes of Hornady vmax 32gr or 40gr, bingo, brass.

Worked for me plus I had a standard to go by as I worked up loads for the 204. The vmax gave me .375 groups at 100 yards tough standards to beat.

April 23, 2011, 09:36 PM	#1
ksorange Junior Member Join Date: April 18, 2010 Posts: 4	.204 Rugar Brass I just got my first .204. Can anyone tell me if they have formed cases, using223 brass! Thanks

April 23, 2011, 10:15 PM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,694	You would lose a large amount of case capacity compared to real .204 cases and your final case may not be long enough, being that it starts out about .090 shorter than a .204. Real .204 brass is easily available. The loss of case capacity would practically neuter the round. You might as well have bought a .223 if you do that. __________________ https://ecommercearms.com I am the owner/operator! Ask me for custom prices! No sales tax outside CO!

April 23, 2011, 11:12 PM	#4
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	it is made from the 222 Rem Mag hull Jim Last edited by Jim243; April 23, 2011 at 11:20 PM.

April 23, 2011, 10:25 PM	#3
zplinker Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2011 Location: way out here Posts: 262	When the 204 came out, brass was scarce, so we fire formed the parent case: 222 Rem. Mag. Squeeze the neck down to hold a .20 bullet, set the shoulder to a jam fit in your chamber, and viola. But now, why not buy the real thing.

April 28, 2011, 01:02 AM	#5
A_Gamehog Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2009 Location: Central Oregun Posts: 563	The 204 Ruger does not use the .223 as the parent case, it's case is from the 222 mag. 20 Pratical= .223 case sized down 20 Tactical= .223 case sized down I recently had a quest to get a 20 cal gun and wanted the 20 Pratical, I gave up when nobody around here had a reamer or had ever done one. I now have a 204 Ruger AR-15. It shoots as good as any factory bolt gun I have if not better. I have used Hornady, R-P, and Winchester Brass. They charge 23-25 for 50 Hornady cases, and 25-30 for 100 R-P or Winchester cases. The loads worked in the Hornady and R-P,and Winchester are able to work in each other. R-10X and N-140 for the 32 Grain V-Max R-10X for the 39 Sierra and 40 V-max. I used the Dan Newberry Method. Optimal Charge Weight http://www.optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/ I settled on a "Mild" load, I have shot some brass 3-4 times, and never had to trim for length yet.

April 28, 2011, 08:07 AM	#6
DoubleUp Member Join Date: October 28, 2010 Posts: 27	Best place to buy brass is normally Powder Valley. They are currently out of Win which does pretty well. Price listed at $23.45/100. Some 204 guys go with Norma or Nosler if they are looking for ultimate accuracy, but lots more money. I like the Win brass and don't have any problem getting excellent accuracy with it. It holds up well to mutliple loadings especially if you anneal about every 3 or 4th firing. No split necks so far with some cases having over 10 loadings.

April 28, 2011, 08:20 AM	#7
wingman Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2002 Posts: 2,108	Purchase 3 boxes of Hornady vmax 32gr or 40gr, bingo, brass. Worked for me plus I had a standard to go by as I worked up loads for the 204. The vmax gave me .375 groups at 100 yards tough standards to beat.