22-204

[Twdmar]

Will the 22-204 clean up a 223 chamber without needing to be set back?

 

[AWS]

Yes.

 

[Hal]

Anyone know the case capacity of the .223,.222 mag and the 22-204 ?

Hal

 

[Ackman]

Anyone know the case capacity of the .223,.222 mag and the 22-204 ?

Hal

Don't know the capacity. And I've spent very litte time with mine, however it shot nice tight little groups with 29.5 and 29.8gr Benchmark, two different primers. Nosler 50BT's. That's a couple gr more than the 223AI. Chamber has 0 freebore and bullets are seated deeper than a chamber with longer freebore. That should give you some idea of capacity. The pictures posted of these cases, compare the 204 case to the 222M case and see there's a decent increase in case length.

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

My 22-204 shoots small groups from the bench.

Reminds me of a 22 PPC! Ive shot several 1/4 moa groups or smaller with it!

 

[GAnderson]

My 22-204 shoots small groups from the bench.

Reminds me of a 22 PPC! Ive shot several 1/4 moa groups or smaller with it!

But lets get real Chance...this is nothing more than a 222 Magnum. Jeez!

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

But lets get real Chance...this is nothing more than a 222 Magnum. Jeez!

Yeah i know it!

 

[Ackman]

Yeah i know it!

Yep. You're ab-so-lutely right. No difference a tall.

 

[AckleymanII]

I have a 9 TWist and a 12 twist 22/204, and all I use is Winchester brass. I neck up with Redding long tapered expanders.

In the 12T, I shoot the 55g of various types with a warm load of IMR 8208 at 3700 with amazing accuracy, bought 500 of the 53g V max after Gene's recommendations.

In the 9T, I shoot the 62g Speer gold dots at 3350 fps at 1/2" groups, and the Sierra 62g bug holes at 3150. fps. I hope to pop a few hogs with these two bullets soon.

I worked up a load with the 40g Nosler at 4210 fps shooting a bug hole group in the 9T.

Our reamer has .020 freebore so the 62-69;s are stuffed back in the case a bit. I did work up a load with the 69g Sierra that shot tiny, tiny groups...too boring...nothing to fix.

 

[alf]

On a different note......

Couple years ago I drew a bobcat tag, and didn't have anything I considered fur friendly.

So I worked up a wimpy load for my 8" twist lighter weight 22" gun.

When the smoke cleared, I found a great load with 17.8 grains of IMR 4227, shooting 55 grain Ballistic Tips at 2700.

Best part, was I didn't have to re-zero the scope from my 75 grain VLD load.

50 yards - 0
100 yards +1"
150 yards - 0
200 yards - 3"

As it turned out, I never called in cat despite my best effort. However, I did manage to call in one coyote, and shot him broadside through the slats at 35 yards. No exit and he went less than 50 yards.

 

[Denver_AR]

Anyone know the case capacity of the .223,.222 mag and the 22-204 ?

Hal

Good reference here, although lacking the 222 mag.

Chart of All Rifle Cartridges by Case Capacity – Backfire

backfire.tv

 

[Denver_AR]

I've only killed a handful with the 80's, performance is great. I've killed a lot with the 75 VLD's and they work fantastic.

The 75's in a 22" barrel run at 3075.

The 80's in a 24" barrel are 3025.

The 80's in a 26" barrel are running 3115. This barrel tolerates another half grain of Varget for the extra oomph.

I'm also interested in 22-204 shooting heavies.
What reamer did you use and how did you handle throating for the heavies?

 

[alf]

I'm also interested in 22-204 shooting heavies.
What reamer did you use and how did you handle throating for the heavies?

I seated a Berger 80 grain VLD to where I wanted it, and sent the dummy to JGS......

 

[Denver_AR]

Regarding size dies, I'm planning on using the Redding Type S for the 204 Ruger, then replacing internal stem and bushing for a 22 caliber.
Is that all there is to it? Thought I'd seen other threads that it was necessary to drill neck area. Are you able to get proper shoulder setback and neck sizing with this die?

 

[MEdude]

Good question, listening too.

 

[alf]

Regarding size dies, I'm planning on using the Redding Type S for the 204 Ruger, then replacing internal stem and bushing for a 22 caliber.
Is that all there is to it? Thought I'd seen other threads that it was necessary to drill neck area. Are you able to get proper shoulder setback and neck sizing with this die?

I believe the 204 die has enough clearance, I've never done it.

Years back, I bought a regular 204 Redding neck die, and sent it to them to hone out to my required dimension. They did hone it out, and sent it back with a note that said they would never do it again. Liability reasons I believe.

If I need to full length size, I use a Redding body die to bump the shoulders and size the body.

 

[MEdude]

@alf
I’d like to thank you very much for sharing your experience and knowledge with this group. You have already helped me immeasurably. I’m thinking serious about reaming my 223 to handle heavies. Not sure how to proceed.
Do you know if I contact JGS, and ask for a reamer for 22-204 for Berger 80’s, will they make one for me, or does your setup / design become a custom only for you? I’m 100% new to the custom world and don’t know how it plays out.
Thanks.

 

[alf]

@alf
I’d like to thank you very much for sharing your experience and knowledge with this group. You have already helped me immeasurably. I’m thinking serious about reaming my 223 to handle heavies. Not sure how to proceed.
Do you know if I contact JGS, and ask for a reamer for 22-204 for Berger 80’s, will they make one for me, or does your setup / design become a custom only for you? I’m 100% new to the custom world and don’t know how it plays out.
Thanks.

You're welcome, glad to help.

My reamer is listed as 22/204 FORBES dated 5/13/15.

Technically, it's proprietary. However, all you have to do is ask them for it, and if I haven't released it to the public yet, they will send me an email asking if I want to, and I will. Standard protocol for "custom" reamers.

 

[MEdude]

Super generous of you. Thanks you so much.

 

[alf]