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204 ruger loads

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05 June 2019, 08:37
69deer
204 ruger loads
I have a Cz left handed 204 ruger. Anybody have any load data for the 204 ruger
05 June 2019, 09:14
B L O'Connor
My go-to in my Savage FCV is:

39gr Sierra BK (BC 287)
27.5gr Varget
CCI 400 or Tula Primer
Nosler Brass

5 shots <0.5 MOA
3800 fps

I’ve been told that the 204 really shines with 32 grain bullets, buts I haven’t found a combinaion of bullet and propellant that is nearly as good as the Sierra.

And I've never heard of or read about a .204 that would not shoot that bullet.
08 June 2019, 01:10
ledvm
BL-C(2) is also a good powder for the .204 Ruger.

I have a load that I use with it...but can’t track down the notes on it right this second. I know a lot of .204 shooters using BL-C(2).


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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09 June 2019, 08:35
df06
I have two Rem 700 rifles in 204R.
I use Benchmark powder in both. For PDs I use 32 plastic tip bullets.
For coyotes, 35 Berger.


NRA Patron member
10 June 2019, 22:00
AnotherAZWriter
quote:
Originally posted by ledvm:
BL-C(2) is also a good powder for the .204 Ruger.

I have a load that I use with it...but can’t track down the notes on it right this second. I know a lot of .204 shooters using BL-C(2).


Yup, my standard load is 30 BL-C(2) under a 32 gr Hornady VMax. I tried the 40 gr bullets as well but they don't shoot as well as the 32 grain bullets.

On high volume calibers like the .204, .223, etc I work up loads with spherical powders only since they meter so well..


Don't Ever Book a Hunt with Jeff Blair
http://forums.accuratereloadin...821061151#2821061151

12 June 2019, 18:15
butchloc
i'vve been using h335 and the 32gr sierra
21 June 2019, 18:16
Big Horns
I use Winchester cases that have been accurized with 27gr. of Vitha N140 and Sierra 39gr Blitzkings in a Cooper 21. It will easily shoot in the 3's.
21 June 2019, 21:05
Dale
Has anyone tried Hodgdon CFE223 in the .204 Ruger?
21 June 2019, 21:08
AnotherAZWriter
quote:
Originally posted by Dale:
Has anyone tried Hodgdon CFE223 in the .204 Ruger?


I use it in a .223; is very accurate (as is H335). Not sure why it wouldn't work in a .204. I use BL-C(2) simply because I have about nine lbs of it right now.


Don't Ever Book a Hunt with Jeff Blair
http://forums.accuratereloadin...821061151#2821061151

22 June 2019, 03:28
B L O'Connor
quote:
Originally posted by Dale:
Has anyone tried Hodgdon CFE223 in the .204 Ruger?
I have.
It works just fine though I prefer Varget.
22 June 2019, 05:10
craigster
40gr VMax, 24.5 R10x. Laser beam accurate in my 527.
22 June 2019, 19:11
Dale
Thanks for the input on CFE222. I have several pounds so I think I will try it first. I use a lot of BL-C(2) in the .222 and .223 so will try it next.
22 June 2019, 19:37
Stonecreek
Not the .204 and not BL-C2, but in the very similar .20 Tactical I use the very similar WC 846 with 32 grain bullets.

There are several "stick" powders which might work well in terms of burning characteristics, but a ball powder flows through the tiny neck a lot easier.
27 June 2019, 07:29
youngoutdoors
I use
40 grain Berger
28.1 Varget
Federal Match Primer
Remington Brass
in my Browning A-bolt

Very Accurate!

God Bless, Louis
28 June 2019, 23:56
AnotherAZWriter
I love Varget, but it doesn't meter like spherical powders. BL-C(2), CFE, and H335 are almost always spot on and never more than .1 grain (and that is pretty rare). I can't say the same for Varget. I use a Redding BR-2 measure.

For LR shooting I scale every charge, but I am not going to do that for high volume shooting.

Are you guys using a measure for Varget or scaling?


Don't Ever Book a Hunt with Jeff Blair
http://forums.accuratereloadin...821061151#2821061151

29 June 2019, 03:10
B L O'Connor
quote:
Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
Are you guys using a measure for Varget or scaling?


I combine both methods. I agree that trying to meter Varget accurately is a royal pain. So I use my Lyman to throw a weight that is slightly below what I want and I weigh it. I then take a few kernels from a small glass container of Varget and add kernels until my (Lyman M-5) balance beam scale indicates I've got what I want. If I overshoot, I simply pick a few kernels off the pan.

That scale is superb and I am spoiled by it. I bought it from Scott Parker who tunes scales as, I believe, a side business. Mine is sensitive to 1 kernel (!) of stick powder and is beautifully damped (it settles in just a couple of seconds), it is reproducible and linear.
30 June 2019, 01:14
AnotherAZWriter
quote:
Originally posted by B L O'Connor:
quote:
Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
Are you guys using a measure for Varget or scaling?


I combine both methods. I agree that trying to meter Varget accurately is a royal pain. So I use my Lyman to throw a weight that is slightly below what I want and I weigh it. I then take a few kernels from a small glass container of Varget and add kernels until my (Lyman M-5) balance beam scale indicates I've got what I want. If I overshoot, I simply pick a few kernels off the pan.

That scale is superb and I am spoiled by it. I bought it from Scott Parker who tunes scales as, I believe, a side business. Mine is sensitive to 1 kernel (!) of stick powder and is beautifully damped (it settles in just a couple of seconds), it is reproducible and linear.


When I scale powder I do exactly as you do. Most of the .223 I shoot is my weekly 10 shots offhand at 100 yards practice, so I sure don't need perfect accuracy. That said, spherical measures almost perfectly every time I have checked it.


Don't Ever Book a Hunt with Jeff Blair
http://forums.accuratereloadin...821061151#2821061151

30 June 2019, 08:08
B L O'Connor
quote:
Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:When I scale powder I do exactly as you do. Most of the .223 I shoot is my weekly 10 shots offhand at 100 yards practice, so I sure don't need perfect accuracy. That said, spherical measures almost perfectly every time I have checked it.

In deference to my OCD, I must admit that I use this technique with all my rifle cartridges. I’m practiced enough that I can move fairly quickly. Of the propellants I’ve tried, the only onw that really slows me down is Benchmark. It’s like flour.

And now, I must own up to a major failing, an inconsistency in my loading procedures: I load for a bunch of handgun cartridges: .380, 9mm, .38 Spl., .357 Mag and .45 acp. I use a RCBS 2000 progressive press and an RCBS powder measure without a qualm at all. I do not use this press with my rifle cartridges.

But common-sense logic tells me I’m an idiot: My powder measures are good to ±0.5 grains, which is of zilch importance for me when I’m loading for even small-capacity capacity rifle cartridges (0.5 ÷ 23 = .02, or ÷2%). But with handgun cartridges (say a .380), that variation would seem to be much more significant: (0.5 ÷ 3.7 = .14, or ÷14%).
05 July 2019, 01:30
youngoutdoors
I now measure almost all my powder loads with a Lyman DPS powder measure. Each powder charge is weighed to .10 of a grain.

Bulk pistol loads are an exception.

God Bless, Louis
12 November 2019, 20:03
LesBrooks
It is cold down in Ft Worth this morning at 22 degrees, so I thought I would post a few pictures of my reloader made in 1989 for traveling on the road Rving.

The 204 that I made shoots very well with Reloader 10 with Hornady 40 gr with 25.1 grs of pwd. The last loads I shot for group put 5 shots in less than 5/16 in. @ 100 yds. All of my loads are made by neck sizing only with this reloader that people said was not accurate enough. What do you say!!!