Can .223 be Fireformed to .204 Ruger Case?

[jasonprox700]

Being that .223 brass is readily available and cheap, would it be possible to size the brass down to a .20 Tactical, and then fireform it in a .204 Ruger chamber? What is the parent case for the .204?

 

[joghotrod]

The parent case for the .204 is the .222 magnum. It is longer than the .223 and the neck would probably be very short or none at all after fire forming.

Jimmy

 

[Ackman]

Best way to find out about things like this is by doing some homework. Look in the reloading manual. It has case measurements.

 

[Thorbird]

Just a suggestion, but you might take a look at a 20 Practical. It is formed by just necking down the .223. Good luck, never hurts to save money. I love my .204, but the 20 practical gets you almost the same fps with a more efficient case.

 

[ImBIllT]

223 is 5.56x45, and 222mag is 5.56x47. 2mm shorter is a LOT. You'll get little or no neck, and poor accuracy at best, a dangerous situation at worst,the shoulder would need to be blown forward a hair which involves necking up, then back down to create a false shoulder with correct headspace). You could form it from 5.56x50,European cartridge RWS may be the only people making the brass that gets imported to the states) or from 222 mag. Just use .204 brass. As for the .20 practical, that's almost an oxymoron. There is very little that is practical about a .20. It's fun to fiddle with and looks neat, but practical is a .223, or if you want some velocity try a .223 Ackley,also much more practical than a .20/223).

 

[macca]

There is another option and that is the 204 laser which Trueflite in New Zealand make.It is a 204 formed on the 223 case. http://www.truefliteriflebarrels.co.nz/13544/4709.html
Give it a look.
Have a good one,
Macca

 

[CatShooter]

There is another option and that is the 204 laser which Trueflite in New Zealand make.It is a 204 formed on the 223 case. http://www.truefliteriflebarrels.co.nz/13544/4709.html
Give it a look.
Have a good one,
Macca

We have the 20 Tactical and the 20 Practical here in the states, and no one here makes dies for the 204 Laser... so you would have the price of a custom reamer and custom made dies,ouchie!!)

Plus, in America, you have to load the 204 Laser upside down and the powder will fall out if you are north of the equator!

-

On a more serious note, I thought the comment made by the maker of the 204 Laser about the conspiracy between Hornady and Ruger to be a bit off the radar screen in the paranoid department - if you want a world beater 20 cal built on a small base case - the 222 Mag case is is the best bet in town.


.

 

[Alycidon]

20s will outperform 22s using same weight projectiles. Run 22BR and 20BR using a 50 grain head through any ballistic software. Up to 300 yards they are very similar, over 300 yards the 20 has less drop,less drift and more energy due to the 20s better ballistic coefficient.

I have read a lot of very complimentary reports in your US mags on Tac20, not only on p/dogs etc but also on Coyotes. I have outed my 22.250 in favour of a 20BR.

Geoff

 

[macca]

Fair point Catshooter.
I thought whoever imported Barnard actions overthere would do trueflite barrels,and dies) as well.
We get a fair rush of blood to the head walking around upside "downunder'.
I think the conspiracy theory was to help sell their 204.
I was interested in this chambering as I have heaps of unused 223 brass,lapua and ADI).
Have a good one,
Macca

 

[oldjad01]

My buddy's 20 Tactical seems to run with my 204 and doesn't have any pressure signs. The only reason I went 204 is because I got a good deal on a Savage take off barrel. BTW, those Savage bbls shoot really good. I would have bought a Tactical had I got a new custom barrel. 223 brass is all over the place. I have collected a ton of it left by the PD that uses our range, but that was before the price increases. They now p/u the brass and send it to Black Hills for reloads. The PD armorer says that he has the same budget for ammo that he has had for about 5 years so they have to recycle. Never did leave much 308 Federal match or 45ACP, but now and again there are a few. One day 27# of once fired American Eagle 45, but I digress.. JimDee