Well hello everyone. Long time no see.

K22. That sciatic needs hydration also. I’ve found during the summer months I need water plus about 40 ounces of Gatorade a day. Water by itself just can’t cut it.

Which CCI primer are you using?
I’ve been out of shooting for quite a few years now. Memory isn’t the best. I think it was the CCI 400’s that we’re the thinnest primer out there. Not recommended in the 204.

Just stopping by after a long hiatus. See how the old crew is doing. Powder, one of my favorite topics. So important in the 204 to find consistent accuracy. Ol W-748 was my go to for creating enough carbon to stop copper fouling. 35 Berger’s did well. I’d put over 500 rounds through that barrel in a...

That’s impressive. Your using the 40gn V-max?

What BitterClinger said.

The 204 Ruger is a Howa 1500 with a factory 12 twist varmint weight barrel. It has had several hundred rounds through it but should not be shot out. I have loaded some Nosler 40 BT, just to see how they behave, but have not had time to shoot them. My first Sav tube had at least 4000 rounds thru it ...

Many years ago I had that problem. With some testing I discovered the tips were releasing from the jacket. At 200 yards I found a few tips stuck in the plywood backer I used along with witnessing the keyholed tip holes in the paper. Some bullets never made it to the target, some were fine, some keyh...

Situation normal. Almost. Your seater is seating from a different datum point not the tip of the bullet. It’s also a different point than your Hornady comparator even though you say those measure good. To be exact at determining seating variations you would need to use your seater plug as a measurin...

If your looking to start from scratch I’d go with the newest kid on the block. Hexoganol Boron Nitride (HBN)
Easier to apply, much less mess and a lower coefficient of friction.
https://www.lowerfriction.com/product-p ... tegoryID=2

Never used a Forester but the concept is simple enough. Yes you should be able to bump the shoulders without the bushing installed.

FWIW stone down the shell holder or base of die and any necksizer will become a bump die. Used to make my own before Forester caught on. FL size everything now tho.

My mistake probably, I was waiting in town and was on the phone looking at the site and the subject reminded me of my Moly days so I posted, now I get home on the LT and see this thread or subject hasn't been active in 10 years, well I won't be disappointed if it ain't answered. Sorry, I was in the...

I toyed with crimping many years ago. Actually found improved accuracy by doing it. Here's why I recommend you don't. As a handloader your obviously reusing your brass. Crimping will work your case mouths dramatically. This causes hardening. You may find an accurate load but you'll also end up chasi...

Hmmm, it's been a lot of years since I bought any dies from RCBS. Seems they haven't changed thier one size fits all instructions. Shame. Chances are high with a factory chamber your pushing your shoulders back much further than you need to. That's never good. Incipient case head seperation, Google ...

Are you measuring the amount of bump your die is moving the shoulders back?

If you set your die to touch the shellholder your probably oversizing your brass which does not help your situation.

One possible reason the first one stayed clean is you may not be drying your chamber while cleaning the bore.
A little solvent left in the chamber will act as a lubricant allowing the brass to flow easier.

Is this virgin or once fired brass? How are you sizing this brass?