To me... 1 to 2 thou is ideal... with no need to make them tighter. Groups that pattern left to right ( horizontal) are usually the result of powder charge... and vertical groups are usually seating depth. I would seat them to the lands and start backing them out until the groups came back down to ...

How is it grouping? Accuracy trumps speed. With Varget @ 27.2 it sounds about right. Varget is a bit slow in the 204 case. If your not seeing pressure signs you could cautiously increase charge weight but will soon be into a compressed load. You may want to try some of the slightly faster powders li...

Nosler/Norma is as good as it gets and in my opinion much better than anything else. I run mine on the "warm" side as do most and have not found their brass to be soft.

I have two 204R's with 12T barrels that shoot the 39 SMK's great but won't shoot the 40's. I re barreled my 20SCC with an Xcaliber three groove 11T when the GM barrel gave up. It will shoot the 40's with no problems. In my opinion if you want to shoot the 40's go with an 11T. If you to go heavier th...

Well I mailed my target today. Tony Boyer says the wind is your friend. It may be his but not mine. I managed to turn a three shot group of .1 something into a .675. Oh well theirs always next year.
PS: pick a calm day!

Skipper, don't forget to put your name on the list. I'm glad your going to shoot as well.

Varmitzapper has made a reasonable request. A couple of years ago (the last time I purchased Win brass) and found the flash holes way off center, I spent hours coming up with a number to call and voice my problem. It was like an exercise in hide and seek. To no acceptable resolution as well.

As Bill said, the 400's will work in the low to mid range but working up to where the 204 shines you will experience cratering and the likely-hood of piercing and bolt face damage. If you can't find the 7 1/2's, The CCI 450 like the 41's have a thicker cup and will withstand the pressure. Save your ...

I use Norma in one 204 and Nosler in the other to keep them separated. It's my understanding the Norma is the maker of the Nosler 204R brass. It's very good stuff.

KWm, I use Norma brass in one 204 and Nosler brass in the other to keep them separated and dedicated to a specific gun/chamber. However I'm too tight to have enough of it to last a PD trip so Win, R-P, and Hornady get used on the little rascals :) Norma/Nosler brass is the best you can get for a 204...

kWm: When I stated earlier that I had no experience with Lee dies, I was referring to their standard sizing and seating dies. I do use their Collet die and a Redding body die on my 204's. I have found that to maintain consistent neck tension I have to anneal my brass every two firings. I built a Ski...

I can't help you with experience with Lee dies but adding to the good information you have already received here are a couple of more things to consider. Neck tension - measure the neck of your resized neck prior to seating the bullet and then after the bullet is seated. If it's greater than .005, e...

With your stated load it's highly likely there is nothing wrong with your chronograph. If you know someone who has a chronograph y0u could do a comparison. Set up each time with your chrono the same distance from the muzzle using a tape measure.

CBI barrel 1-11 twist 26"
Nosler brass
32 gr v/z max
26.2 gr R10X
CCI 450
4120 FPS
Shoots in the .2 when I do my part.

Quick question on the target. Will there be only one sent and you have one chance at your best group or can copies be made? I have a 204 that is capable but some times the operator is not.