Just wondering if anyone has worked up a light load for the 204. There were many loads listed for Bule Dot for the 223 and I'm guessing I could start with those.

Thanks

Snapper:

I haven't worked on that one as I don't have the need or see a PERSONAL need for the 204 in my guncabinet.... However, I would be interested in your results if you test it...

In the 223, I have worked as low as 4 grains for 22 LR equivalent performance, and as high as 15 grains for the 35 grain bullets.... I recommend 14.5 as max with as heavy as 46 grain bullets....
lighter charges with 50 grains and up...

From my experience,I'd start at the 4 grains if you see a need for that low, and start looking for max pressure signs around 12 to 12.5 grains considering the smaller bore diameter....

Good luck...
seafire

Seafire,

Thanks for the response. I'm looking for loads similar to your 12.5-14.5 grain loads for the 204. I'll let you know what I find out.

Snapper

Snapper,

14 gr of Blue Dot in my 20 Tactical with a 32gr Hornady Vmax has a velocity of 3440 fps

14.5 gr avg 3518 fps
15.2 3658 fps
15.8 3723 fps

16.2=

actually the velocity I was getting was 3745 fps. Do a search on here and the gunsmithing forum as I posted it there too. I got NO indication before this of excessive pressure- no expansion, flattened or loose primers or anything! Actually the first half dozen of these shot very nicely and I was going to use this loading. So be cautious when working up loads. The 204 is a tiny bit bigger than a 20 Tac but even so I'd stop at 14.5 grains with a 32 gr bullet and 14 with a 40 grain bullet. I cannot say that it will be an accurate load however, as in my gun I had too much deviation in velocity.

Have fun!

Mark

Thanks for the ideas Mark.

I've been very impressed with the info from Todd's site and James Calhoon's work with the 19's as well as the Brit's work on the 20 calibers listed on the Calhoon site.

I would like to use the 32 gr loads in this 204 and leave the larger 40's & 50's to my 223 AI and the a 45 gr reduced load for my daughter's 223 700 BDL for gophers. That should cover everything.

I'm always looking for a reason to buy another gun.

Snapper

I think you'll find Blue Dot a pleasure to work with, and also it is bulky enough you can't double charge a case (but you can come close so still be careful!)

The other thing that I posted was that I thought 16.2 grains was a perfect load, great uniformity in velocity (I believe there was 7 fps variation between lowest and highest) and NO pressure signs at all until the primer blew, case bulged and flowed into the ejector hole. So be extra cautious. Hopefully someone here could run quickload for you and figure out what sort of pressures to expect with 14 gr, just to make sure.

What purpose do you have for this load, and what rifle?

Mark, I was looking at a 19 Cal from Calhoon and may still get the Badger. This gun is a CZ with the heavy barrel. I will use it on P dogs and gophers at 200 to 300.

Just have to decide on a scope.

Snapper