I need another rig like a hole in the head, but what the hey, I've got a Cooper 204 Ruger in the works. I am interested in recommendations on dies, and bullets, as well as any general intel that folks have discovered. My intent is coyote, crow etc. and maybe a prarie dog hunt one day with this rig.

What scopes are you 204 guru's using? What is a reasonable effective range for this cartridge?

Although I'm not shooting the 204R any longer..I have ran approx 4K rds out of my two barrels...which have been rechambered to 20 Vartarg (20 Fireball) & 20 Practical (20-223)...both 12 twist Pac Nors..my main 204 load was 29.5/BLC with a moly 40 V max @ 3880 fps...scope was a 4-14 Weaver Tactical...which I still have and use on both of the above mentioned 20's...H380...Benchmark...H4895 also will work...but ball powder really flows in the small 20 cal neck well...dies I would suggest are a mixed bag..Collet set from Lee...three pc deluxe set from Redding...Forster builds BR seater of two types...the BR micro head or std BR seater which is so very hard to beat...seems I always have a least two full sets of dies...mixed mfg's of different types...the Lee collet is a good one too..the 204R is a great factory cartridge..I've just gotton away from it with the 20 VT & 20 PT...much more effecient cartridges..and the 20 PT is actually faster in the same barrel than the 204R was with the same 40 V max...with three grains less powder...go figure...pic is my first 204R set up before rechamber to 20 VT..the 204 shown on s/shot Savage action..easily took p/dogs out to 500 yds on calm days..I even recall taking three coyotes one morning that snuck into a p/dog field I was shooting for free lunch...all between 300-500 yds...40 V max....thats the only bullet I shoot..

Been loading for a .204 Ruger in a Cooper the past year or so. It wears a 6.5-20X with the big obj bell with the bbl cut out. A RED splatter model to match the red spiderweave on the stock.
Absolutely love the rifle and CTG. So nice to be able to see bullet impact at most ranges. Allows adjustments in windage or elevation without a spotter.

Been using the 40 gr Hornady's with IIRC 29.5 of BLC-2 . UNSURE on the powder charge so beware.

FN in MT

do a search - there's been tons of info on the 204 here & in the reloading section

I have tried berger moly 40's plain old 35's 32 vmax and 40's. The truth betold anything through my cooper is sub moa. Currently using berger 35's with H 4895. If I have a decent day punching paper they'll do 3's and 4's.....yawn.
I'm using a Mueller eraticator 8.5-25 x 50 with the illuminated dot. Inexspensive, reliable, 1/8 clicks no return to zero problems.

Great intel guys, thanks.
Lofter, what kind of rig is that? Is it in fact a current model Cooper? Great looking stock.

Butch, good thought, hadn't searched on the reloading forum.

Thanks again guys--Donnie

I've tried most of the 20 cal bullets.
For fur I use the 35 and 40 gr bergers.
For the smaller stuff, my favorite is the 39 gr sierra blitz king. (most accurate and nice high B.C.)
I use H-322 for the 32 gr stuff.
and I use RL-10X, H-4895, and benchmark with all of them, from the 32 gr's up to the hornady 45 gr sp's.
I think the only ones that I have never tried were the 30 gr and 50 gr bergers.

I'd start with weight segregated WW cases kept in 50 round MTM Boxes as I said by weight.
My first go would be RL10X under a 39 grain Sierra Blitzking, I'm fond of "7 1/2 BR" primers.

First thing I'd do when I got it at the risk of starting a war is a bit of fire one then clean to bare metal for the first ten or so or until ZERO bluing comes off that one round. Go to the Lilga web site and see what he says on brake in, I use a modified version of it.
I know a lotta guys disagree but with all the hyper speed sub-.22 calibers I shoot I sure find the initial pain in the kiester well worth it for the long run. Really simplifies cleaning.
For Dies I'd get a Redding or Hornady full size set then get a Wilson in line bushing neck die and seater (the micrometer seater if I was going to try several different bullets).Or possibly Reddings S-Bushing neck die and Competition seater. Both really makes some straight ammo.
Keep us posted, bet ya love it!

I'll be wrapping up my tests with Blue Dot and the 204 hopefully tomorrow, if the weather cooperates...

I finally got a 204 barrel, courtesy of another forum member's generosity....

Another neat toy, but I won't be selling or scrapping a 223 in the near future to get a full blown varmint rig in 204....

Guys, thanks a lot. I'll be printing this out and filing it in my .204 folder. The rifel is a custom wood Cooper, should be here in early March. I'll let you guys know how she does, we have a BUNCH of crows at one of our properties, and a good stock of Coyotes too--and the yotes get pretty close, 125 yards or so, without much calling at all....hoping for PD's in Montana late this spring too!

PS--I believe in your barrel break in theory too Montdoug.

quote:

Originally posted by Fish30114:
Great intel guys, thanks.
Lofter, what kind of rig is that? Is it in fact a current model Cooper? Great looking stock.

Sir it's a Cooper standard no upgrades bells or whistles. Maybe I got a little lucky with the wood? That was just a bonus for the way it shoots suits me.

quote:

Originally posted by lofter:

quote:

Originally posted by Fish30114:
Great intel guys, thanks.
Lofter, what kind of rig is that? Is it in fact a current model Cooper? Great looking stock.

Sir it's a Cooper standard no upgrades bells or whistles. Maybe I got a little lucky with the wood? That was just a bonus for the way it shoots suits me.

Lofter, lucky or not, that's a great looking rig! I hope mine shoots as well too.

Regards--Don

I shot 32gr and 40gr accutips today (rem factory load). The 40gr were keyholing at 50yds. My bbl was a TC contender, 23", new with 1:12" twist. The 32s shot well.

Google 'Todd Kindler' or 'Woodchuck Den' for more good info on the 20s.

Nate

FWIW, a lot of guys have problems getting the 40gr. Vmax's to stabilize in 1-12's, but have great luck with the 39gr. Sierra BlitzKing. I've never owned a .204, but my Tac .20 loves 39gr BK's and Benchmark.