.204 COL for an Encore Pro Hunter - I need help

[SEK Archer]

I am setting up to reload .204 in a Pro Hunter Blued barrel.  I used two different methods to determine the COL with the bullet sitting against the Lands, and I came up with a COL's of 2.459 and 2.470.  I know this is greater than the standard of 2.260, but I have also read that this isn't necessarily unusual. 

Method (1) was to drop a bullet into the chamber, using a cleaning rod from the barrel end, I slid it down until I contacted the bullet, made a mark, removed the bullet, and then slid the rod down until I contacted the firing pin plate.  This came out at 2.459.

Method (2) was to load a bullet extended out in an unprimed case, inserted the shell/bullet into the chamber and slowly closed the frame pushing the bullet into the case with the bullet against the lands.  I marked the bullet with marker to ensure I showed some contact with the lands.  This came out at 2.470.

My question is does this sound unreasonable?  On the dummy bullet created by Method (2), it indicates that my bullet is only seated ~0.108" into the neck of the case.  Is this adequate?  If I am to back off 0.010" for initial loaded case COL, which of the method's lengths, should I go with?  The shortest to be the safest?

I'm new to rifle reloading and I would appreciate any and all comments that I could get.  I am using Winchester brass, BL-C(2) powder, Federal Prem primers, and plan to start the first load at 28.1 grs.  But I'm a little baffeled at these COL numbers, and more so with the amount of depth the bullet sits in the neck on the dummy bullet.

Thanks!

[Kurt L]

how does it do with factory loads,some guns gust like to jump some like them up close to the lands on and on.
I would just load to say the length in the manual and work up the best load,then play with moving your bullet
out then to see if you can tighten your group.

[Roger_Dailey]

It sounds like you've done your homework well.  Having .108" of the bullet in the case may work OK, the only way to know for sure is to try it.   I believe your two measuring methods gave about the same reading.  Just dropping the bullet into the chamber will result in a light touching of the lands and pushing it in could quite easy add the 0.011.  I would start with the shorter length. 

I believe COL is one of handloading's best kept secrets.  Finding the max COL as you did should be just a starting point.  Adjusting COL is a great tool for tuning the load to the gun.  I've had several instances where the gun just didn't seem to like a particular load.  By adjusting the COL to a shorter length in .010" increments, I've been able to tune those loads to the rifle.  As a matter of fact, tuning the COL has worked so well, I spend very little effort trying different powder, bullet, load combinations. 

[SEK Archer]

Please keep the comments coming, as I greatly appreciate them.  I've been wanting to get into reloading for awhile as I had part of the equipment.  When I got the .204 barrel, I went right to reloading components, and didn't buy any factory shells, so as of yet I don't know what the gun likes.  Just want to make sure of stuff prior to putting that first load in the chamber.

I'm quickly learning from reading that apparently factory .204 barrels are coming with long throats, and that people are finding it actually likes a long jump.

Thanks!

[Kurt L]

sounds good you are on the right track,was not sure if you shot any factory ammo.

I load 3-4 shells of each charge and the same col.to try then move the bullet after i find a good load.
i use a fired case from the gun not re sized just a fired case, i reload for to slip a bullet in the neck and put it in the
chamber.the fired case will hold the bullet if not just bump it a hair with your size die to hold it.you don't need it tight just
get it to hold it and most of the time you can move the bullet with your fingers but that is all you need is just enough to hold it in the neck so you can get a reading.

[stimpylu32]

SEK Archer

When ever hand loading always caution on the low side  , be it powder charge or COL and work up from there . Better safe than sorry and as RD said by just dropping the bullet in or pushing it in can explain the 0.011 diffrence .

stimpy

[SEK Archer]

Thanks for all the comments and please keep them coming.  Based on readings and comments, I backed the bullet depth off ~ 0.100" off the lands to start.  This put my COL at 2.366.  I then worked up some loads and shot, working loads up and further breaking the barrel in. 

At 29.3 grns of the BL-C(2) powder, I shot a 3 shot overlapping clover leaf (0.365") at 50 yds.  As I went more powder, the group opened back up and I could start to see some flattening of the primer.  So I think I've found the powder load, so now I will work with the bullet depth.  Too bad I wasn't already at 100 yds getting these groups, I'd be tickeled to death right now.

My last 2-3 groups, I would touch two shots, and throw a 3rd out.  I'm still shooting with the factory trigger on the frame, and hoping this was maybe due to that and the fact it was the end of the day, since I had already gotten one tight cloverleaf.

Thanks again!