Author Topic: 204 to 20-06 Rechamber? (Read 4041 times)

trotterlg · « **on:** February 10, 2010, 01:21:58 PM »

Last night I made up a 20-06 reamer from a .270 reamer I had sitting here. For a test I reamed a Remington .204 Ruger barrel I have threaded up for a straight pull Steyr M95, but it would make a great re-chamber for a Handi in .204 Ruger, the stock 30-06 ejector or extractor would work, it would be a very simple thing to do. Now to work up a load for a 34gr bullet in a 20-06 case. Anyone got any suggestions where to start? If I would have kept my Handi 204 barrel it would have been a much simpler job, but I still have the reamer so I could easily do another. Larry

myarmor · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2010, 01:32:12 PM »

Sounds cool Larry, but I not sure how effecient the 20cal will be in such a large case as the -06, even with the shorter 308 cases I don't know if the bullets will hold up much more with the velocities that could be achieved sense they already hold up to 4000fps.... then again I know you are one that enjoys playing and WildCating, so I look forward to hearing more on how it does

I got to see these velocities!

-Aaron

gendoc · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2010, 01:41:09 PM »

larry,
i have seen this done with a #3 using .308 brass
and it was a lightning bolt of accuracy.
the barrel was a custom shop .204
but the owner has more $$$ than cents...........

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2010, 02:04:02 PM »

Larry, ya gotta quit eatin that chili before goin to bed.

It's givin ya some weird dreams, man.

Does Barnes make any solid 20 cal. bullets? This is gonna be fun to follow, go Larry go. DP

MSP Ret · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2010, 02:09:00 PM »

IIRC Hornady has a series of bullets that are made for areas where lead is prohibited. If they have a series for the .204 they are in essense a solid substance expanding bullet which just might hold up to the high velocities better than a thin skinned lead core bullet. I will see if I can check later tonight and locate any other info on them....<><....

just checked, they are Hornady GMX (gilded metal expanding) but thet are not made in .204, they start at 6mm/.243....<><....

OSOK · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2010, 04:47:22 PM »

OK, someone with the computer reloading program plug this stuff in and crunch some numbers...I have to know what it can do!
20 years ago you would be told it is past the point of beneficial returns, but with all these new powders, I'm not so sure.

OSOK · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2010, 04:49:27 PM »

By the way, look at my avatar...can I be first in line to hollow-out an Armadillo with it???

trotterlg · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2010, 05:53:12 PM »

Here is a loaded round, I think it would be a great Handi round. Larry

Smokin Joe · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2010, 06:45:45 PM »

I can hear P.O. Ackley spinning in his grave right now!

I'm thinking that you'll need a Barnes X bullet just to keep it from vaporizing at 50 yds.

briannmilewis · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2010, 08:39:19 PM »

I was looking at the 284 win case lately and how it could be applied to Handis, and I know they neck down to 6mm with great success, but I recall there was mention of some experimenting with 224 but no-one went forward because the performance returns weren't evident, but ditto, I think new powders and new bullet metals may make it work these days. Just looking forward to your posts.

Couger · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2010, 09:46:16 PM »

Quote from: trotterlg on February 10, 2010, 05:53:12 PM

Here is a loaded round, I think it would be a great Handi round. Larry

Holy cow, Larry!

Want to wager how many shots it will take to shoot out that .204 bore!!!??

rhbrink · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2010, 11:16:38 PM »

I would very much like to have one of those sized down with a bullet in it, don't need a primer be very happy to pay for brass, bullet, shipping. Got a couple know-it-all jeks that ain't never seen something like this, I gonna tell em 5000fps! Very serious I would really like to have one.

Datil · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2010, 01:48:51 AM »

Larry, I am not going to be the 1st shot that thing.
Lot of powder for such small bullet.
Waiting for a range report. Datil

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2010, 02:19:49 AM »

What is pressures running? That would be my concern. That's a little hole for that much pressure to come out. If it doesn't blow up do you think the bullets will handle the increased velocity? I think they will come apart before they hit the target.

Swift One · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2010, 03:56:31 AM »

Very interesting cartridge Larry. I too am wondering about the pressure. Keep us posted on that thang shoots!!!

rex6666 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2010, 04:00:12 AM »

Quote from: rhbrink on February 10, 2010, 11:16:38 PM

I would very much like to have one of those sized down with a bullet in it, don't need a primer be very happy to pay for brass, bullet, shipping. Got a couple know-it-all jeks that ain't never seen something like this, I gonna tell em 5000fps! Very serious I would really like to have one.

+1
I would like to show that to some folks also.

aromakr · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2010, 06:54:55 AM »

You know many years ago Bob Hutton of Guns & Ammo Magazine in an effort to break the world record for a 22 cal. He gave the job of developing the cartaidge to P.O. Ackley. P.O. took a 378 weatherby and necked it to 22 cal. with a 50 grain bullet and 105 grs of H570 he got 4600fps. P.O. stated he thought Hutton could produce much higher velocity's when a load was developed. They named the cartridge the .22 Eargesplitten Loudenboomer.
Bob

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #17 on:** February 11, 2010, 07:05:48 AM »

I guess you could call it a 20/06 Trotter. There has been a 22/06 Easling also the 22/284 and the .22 Eargespltten Loudenboomer 22/378 Weatherby. Something more practical may be 5mm/223. I see where one guy did do a .20/222. I was looking at turning the new 223 fluted bbl into the 22/06 but then I came to my senses. But these were all done before the 204 Ruger was born and I sure love how that handi pops PD as is. Kurt

PS Larry if you was Me or Pete or some of the rest of us up here in the north I would write this off to CABIN FEVER. But I just can't do that. I just wish I could find a used .32 Muzzleloader bbl that I could send you to stub for my Handi. To keep your mind busy. Your turning into a mad man. Get out and sniff the cactus man.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2010, 08:41:20 AM »

That's Kool Larry, looking forward to your range report. Wayne has a dummy cartridge in his shop, 50BMG necked to .22 cal, dunno if it's a real wildcat, probably a joke like the 5mm Express, I don't remember his comment on it, that was before he moved from Aurora 5yrs ago.

Tim

5mm Express

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #19 on:** February 11, 2010, 03:02:46 PM »

That one otta burn out a barrel in about 3 shots!

DP

mtbugle · « **Reply #20 on:** February 11, 2010, 03:24:19 PM »

An improved shoulder would look cool. Just kidding. looks real neat.
Thanks Don.

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 11, 2010, 03:33:42 PM »

Larry i would venture to say you have a neat wildcat there. I can make a 40 gr 224 bullet vaporize in less than 25 yards with my Cheetah (never makes it to the target) Now some lathe turned solids may be the answer............ I hope you find a load that will work, it would be neat to see a varmint disintegrate before you here the boom!

trotterlg · « **Reply #22 on:** February 11, 2010, 03:42:13 PM »

It will be fun to try out. It is dead easy to make brass, one pass with 25-06 brass and is is done. I am going to make another batch up with some dies I will also use for resizing, guess I need to find someone with the load from a disk program to find a starting load. Larry

myarmor · « **Reply #23 on:** February 11, 2010, 04:17:21 PM »

Looks like the throat sizer/ expander ball.. isn't pulling through the neck to correct the FL Dia. in the neck.
I have had this before when my dies aren't adjusted to "exact" specs. and this is a new area of exploration...

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 12, 2010, 03:48:48 PM »

Quote from: trotterlg on February 10, 2010, 01:21:58 PM

Last night I made up a 20-06 reamer from a .270 reamer I had sitting here. For a test I reamed a Remington .204 Ruger barrel I have threaded up for a straight pull Steyr M95, but it would make a great re-chamber for a Handi in .204 Ruger, the stock 30-06 ejector or extractor would work, it would be a very simple thing to do. Now to work up a load for a 34gr bullet in a 20-06 case. Anyone got any suggestions where to start? If I would have kept my Handi 204 barrel it would have been a much simpler job, but I still have the reamer so I could easily do another. Larry

Larry

As for powders , I'd look at some of the slow burning ones made for Overbore cartridges , like H1000 , Retumbo , Reloader 25 and Ramshots Magnum .

And for the bullet ,

Its going to have to be something that has a much thicker jacket than a standard cup & core Remington , or as said before , maybe even a custom turned solid , as I can see this thing pushing the 4500 fps mark easy .

stimpy

dangerranger · « **Reply #25 on:** February 12, 2010, 04:03:05 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on February 11, 2010, 08:41:20 AM

That's Kool Larry, looking forward to your range report. Wayne has a dummy cartridge in his shop, 50BMG necked to .22 cal, dunno if it's a real wildcat, probably a joke like the 5mm Express, I don't remember his comment on it, that was before he moved from Aurora 5yrs ago.

Tim

5mm Express

Tim, my grandfather used to make those for displays. he also made one that was 50BMG necked down to a phonograph needle. Ill ask around the family and see if its still around. DR

dwalk · « **Reply #26 on:** February 12, 2010, 04:28:01 PM »

dang...i need an aspirin...

26-t · « **Reply #27 on:** February 12, 2010, 05:25:54 PM »

Take a look at my little round, a cut down naval round. 3.725" dia. Short sub sonic . 13.02 lb bullet weight. Just for FUN. I use it for a door stop for my vault. 26-t ps: that is a Glock 26 sub compact by the round

trotterlg · « **Reply #28 on:** February 17, 2010, 01:04:51 PM »

I need to commend Accurate Powder for their excellent customer service. I received this information from them about a load for the 20-06 using AA 8700 which is discontinued now. Here it is, so if anyone has questions, they are the place to go to I would say. Larry

Quote

Larry,
We suggest between 57grains and 61grains(the maximum will be a full case)
The velocity should be in excess of 4200 Fps.
However with such an extreme overbore design its hard to say.
You will have to measure the velocity and see.
Please let me know what the velocity is.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #29 on:** February 17, 2010, 02:13:08 PM »

Larry, the people at Western Powder Co. are great. Mr. Loubser is some one I could spend days learning from. DP