New to .204

[mikebaby]

I'm a long time lurker on this forum. I've been searching this forum for a while as well as others, but cannot find a solid answer, so I apoligize if I missed it. I recently recieved my WOA .204 upper. 1-10 twist 24" barrel for my AR. This was specificly built to slay p-dogs in Wyoming, but most use will be punching paper at my local range (200 yard range)

My question to start with is what bullet weight is likely going to be the most accurate out of this rifle? I'm thinking 39-40gr from what I've read. Does anyone have this twist barrel? And if so, what factory load have you found to work best?

My 2nd question is I'm likley going to load my own after I find a suitable bullet to shoot. Does anyone have a similar barrel that has a good recipe for me to use as a baseline?

I appreciate any assistance you can give. And again I apoligize if the answer is out there and I missed it.

Thanks,
mikebaby

[Mike]

Mike, I would expect your gun to favor 39 and 40 grain heads. I've had good luck with Hornady ammo, so you might try some 40 grain V-Max loads to start out and see what kind of groups you get.

I don't have a 1:10 twist barrel, so I'm not sure about good recipes for that specific twist rate. I'm sure that others will chime in soon, though.

[Malazan]

I have a Carey Custom .204 in 1:10 Twist. I would like to know this as well

[chicoredneck]

you might try calling or emailing woa for their recommendation.

[mikebaby]

you might try calling or emailing woa for their recommendation.

Actually I called WOA and spoke with John. He said that he really doesn't have time to shoot anymore, but he believes it will shoot 32 and 40gr well. In other words, go figure it out.

mikebaby

[chicoredneck]

wow... huh thats dissapointing. if they are turning out barrels in that twist you would think that they would know what that twist was designed to shoot.

[Malazan]

I talked to Dan Carey, and he said they make their rifles in 1:10 twist to stabilize 40gr bullets. He said they were having some trouble with the 1:12. They don't stock the 1:12, they only use them if requested by the customer.

[Valar]

I do not shoot a 1 in 10 but a 1 in 9. It shoots from 26 grain varmit grenades to 40 grain Vmaxs well. I was afraid it would be to fast of a twist with light bullets, However I am glad I went with it. Peak bullet spec according to berger bullets would be 35 to 40 grain. Bud dont be discouraged with the right load they should al stabilise well!

[OldTurtle]

My 1/12 shoots 40 & 45gr bullets almost as good as the 39gr... Had the 1/10 been available when I had the upper built(.204 was brand new on commercial market), I would have had the chamber cut for shooting the Berger 50gr, as I think a 1/10 twist should be able to handle the 50s as well... Certainly worth a try...

[Valar]

Turttle Berger recomends 1 in 9 or faster for the 50 grainer. I bought a box of them but have yet to load any. Velocity drops so much with the 5o grainers. I shoot 50 grainers in my 22-250 still rips em. However , my light barrel rem 7oo 22-250 isnt near as accurate as my 204. I will let ya know how the 50s shoot in my 1 in 9 when weather improves.

[TXNinVA]

My barrel is a WOA 22" 1:10, it loves the 26 gr varmint grenades. Not alot of testing yet, but it shot best so far. 40 gr Bergers were next, barely beat by the VG.

Factory ammo, I only shot one box of 32gr Hornady vmaxes. They shot good. But not great. They were 1 moa, but the bergers were closer to .8 and the vg were. 6's. So far.

[Valar]

My shilen 1 in 9 shot 26 grain Varmit grenades in the 3s at 100 yrds makes no sense in a barrel recomended for heavier bullets. It also shoots 32 v max in 4s as well as 40 g vmax shoots cheap dogtowns in the 3s as well 34 grainers? I will try the 50 g bergers when weather warms. Now if i can shoot?I called two coytes today one was inside 20 yrds and second inside 150 I had a bead on the closest and god knows what happend I Missed? Went back to check zero and ZI flat missed. Did find gun shoots allot lower at that close range. Was fun but disgusting.

[greenmonster204]

i have a shilen 1-10 twist and it shoots dog town 34's fantastic. one ragged hole. i have actually had better luck with the dog towns in all my rifles over any other bullets believe it or not.

[Valar]

Stick with them. I ordered another 500 myself. You get a occasionl flyer but not bad. They seem to be a good bullet. I wonder if its the flat back that makes them shoot good? I may try some berger bullets with the flat back and compare this spring? I normally load BT bullets but this has opened my eyes a bit!

[TXNinVA]

How do y'all get the flat base bullets seat straight?

I set them by hand, half stroke the ram and reset then finally a full stroke to properly seat them.

Takes awhile, but 1 of 3 will over seat if I don't lift and check before fully seating.

Lee Single stage by the way.