.204 Case Length Gauges**** NEW UPDATE****

CWeeks

CWeeks

New member
Well I have only used Lee case length gauges to trim cases but as far as I can tell they do not make one in .204 cal.

What do you fellas shooting .204's use to trim your cases to the proper length without measuring every case while trimming?
 
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Case length on the 204 is about the same as the .223 isn't it?



I do not think so the case of a .204 is about 1/4 of an inch longer than the .223.

LEE,
Are you sure they make one cause it is not listed on their website. And the local sportsmans say they have never had the oppurtunity or choice to order any for the .204.
 
The phantom .204 Lee case length gauge is the one thing missing from my reloading room. I have never seen one at Sportsmans or Cabelas and Lee does not have one on their web site. I think Lee only goes down to the 22 caliber cases.

If you know where to get a Lee .204 gauge, let us know.
 
I chucked a 22-250 Lee case length gauge in my drill press and filed it down to fit, then trimmed the pilot end appropriately for trim length. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
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I chucked a 22-250 Lee case length gauge in my drill press and filed it down to fit, then trimmed the pilot end appropriately for trim length. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif



Not a bad idea for sure, I don't see why it wouldn't work. But I do not have a vice or a drill press to make sure it is uniform and the pilot is the right length.
 
It works fine, I've been using mine just like the others here that did the same thing before I made mine. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif Didn't need a vise for anything, do half of the length gauge at a time, the other half will be in the chuck, just work it down with a file, the end near the cutter is the only part that's critical, the other half just needs to be small enough to fit in the case.

Just touch the pilot end with a dremel cutoff tool to shorten it a bit at a time until it trims to recommended trim length. Polish the tip a bit with 600 wet/dry paper with the gauge chucked in the press, do the same for the bearing surface near the cutter.

As cheap as the length gauges are, it's not a real catastophe if you screw one up, some folks can do that ya know!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
 
I called lee and they told me they were going to start making them. that was 3 months ago. give it a shot and let us know what you find out.
 
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I use Forster. One is set up to trim. One is set up to turn necks. And I use the little one to uniform and clean primer pockets. Don
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Lee,
For what it is worth I did some checking. And called 2 different reps from Lee today. They both told me the same thing. LEE is not and does not plan on making a .204 length gauge because their machines will not adjust small enough to tool a .204. Which I am completely confused about because if I am not mistaken they have a .17 Rem, length Gauge.
 
If they did make a .17 Rem gauge, they'd have to make a different cutter since the inside cutting diameter of their standard cutter is just small enough to cut a .204 neck, any neck smaller wouldn't touch the cutting surfaces.
 
The threaded pportion of the Lee cutter is slightly bigger than .204" and that's why they don't make one.

Before the 204 Ruger was marketed, I made one using a 223 Rem pilot turned down to @.204" for a Tac 20 rifle..

After being turned down, it would screw down into the cutter beyond the point where the normal 223 pilot would face up with the cutter blade. So, I put liqud steel in the cutter blade threads and screwed the pilot down to the proper Tac 20 length and let the expoxy set up.

I've used it for about 8 years now and never had a problem. The difference in diameter of the pilot turned down to .204" and the opening in the cutter blade is so slight that cases get trimmed neatly with it.

I also made one for the 204 Ruger when they hit the market and before 20 caliber pilots were available for other case length cutters. I used a 22-250 pilot turned down to @.204" and did the same with it by setting the turned down pilot to .204 Ruger case length. I stil use it occasionally if my Wilson is set up for something else....

As for Lee making one.... They told me it wasn't going to happen becasue of the cutter thread diameter issue.

-BCB
 
I'm confused, are we talking about gauges or trimmers? I'm picturing the type of gauge you drop the case in. I guess the Lee trimmers with built in length gauge is whats confusing me. Anyway I surfed around looking for one of the type I had in mind and couldn't find one either.

peace.
unloaded
 
I would have bet anything that they told me they were planning on making one. I talked to some gal on the phone, i cant remember her name, oh well sorry about the mis- information.
 


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