Hi Guys.
I picked up a Shilen barrel in 204 Ruger a while back and finally dusted it off and placed it on a Savage 10 action.

I decided to load some 39 grn Sierra BKs. I discovered that when I load the 39grn Sierras in new, unfired brass, I am 0.0075 off the lands when seated to a 0.204 depth.

I have always heard that the 204s generally like a little "jump" to the lands and therefore most rifles have some longer throats.

The max OAL of a loaded round to touch the lands is 2.386. Sierra says max OAL in 2.26.

Where would you suggest starting on load development? Would you start at the lands or start at factory lengths? Or somewhere in between? I can fit the max OAL in the magazine, so cartridge length is not limited by the magazine.

Thanks for any experience you can share on this issue.

I would start at 0.010" off the lands and work from there letting the rifle tell me what it prefers.

Thanks Graybird.

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I would start at 0.010" off the lands and work from there letting the rifle tell me what it prefers.

While I might not start that close I would let the rifle throat tell me where to start. I don't really pay much attention to the OAL in the load book.

Ramrod 340 - I am not sure I follow your comment of "let the rifle throat tell me where to start"...

In this instance, I have revealed the throat location. Graybird suggested starting at 0.010" off the lands and working back from there.

Where would you start? You basically have anywhere from 0 to 0.126" before you go below the recommended OAL.

Please understand I am not being argumentative.. I value your opinion and want to hear your $0.02.

Thanks.

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Ramrod 340 - I am not sure I follow your comment of "let the rifle throat tell me where to start"...

Sorry I didn't make myself clear. Heck sometimes I go back and read my post and they don't make sense to me.

I pay little if any attention to the book OAL. I let the throat (or mag box) determine what the OAL will be. I simply don't start as close as graybird. I will normally set the jump at .03" and usually leave it there. Then worry more about powder and powder charge. Over the years I've played with it. To me it wasn't worth the potential gain to justify the time and $$. While different jump might take a .95" to .93 it won't take a 1.5" to sub MOA. Heck I have some large bore that have a full caliber jump.

If I read your situation correct you have 2.386" to the lands. But if you want a full caliber in the neck(not cast in stone) your jump is .0075" If you shove it in until you have .2065" in the case you will be .01" from the lands like greybird. If you back off to .03 then you are .2265 in the case.

Am I missing it?

So answering your last line. I start at the lands minus .03". I pay very little if any attention to factory lengths. When I cut my chambers I take the bullet I'm PROBABLY going to use seat it to just clear and feed from my mag box. Then cut the throat .03" longer.

Did I make it clearer or more foggy?

Ramrod,
That cleared things up quite a bit. Thanks for taking the time.

Bullet base at neck shoulder junction is a good place to start if possible.

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Ramrod,
That cleared things up quite a bit. Thanks for taking the time.

Sorry for the confusion in the first one.