Author Topic: 204 ruger range report 2 (Read 2320 times)

mitchell · « **on:** March 22, 2005, 09:18:30 AM »

well i went out shooting again today. i was continuing to brake in the barrel by firing 3 shots and then cleaning. i did this for the first 30rds. my round count is now up to 52 and the last 20 have been a blast(pun intended). this rifle just keeps getting better and better the more i shoot it. my best 3 shot group out of the 7 i shot was .2 ctc @ 100 yards. i was shooting off a bench with three sand bags(actually corn bags) and was shooting free recoil. i had four groups around .3 ad a few more around .4. i also got to shoot over a chrono and got an ave. volosty of 3770 that with the 40 V-max on top of 30.0gr of Bl-c2

i really think this round in a handi is going to take off. i've not heard from anybody else but mine has a very good throat ,i can filially touch the rifling in a handi rifle . the only down side is that brass is very hard to find right now (if you find any or have any let me know :wink: ).if your thinking about getting one and just can't make up your mind DO IT you wont be sorry.

MtJerry · « **Reply #1 on:** March 22, 2005, 09:29:48 AM »

W O W !!

That is some GREAT results! Congratulations!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** March 22, 2005, 09:38:56 AM »

Mitchell, sounds great!!! Please refresh my memory on the COL, primers and brass you are using.....I ended up with a box of 40g Vmax .204 bullets, so I might as well load em up, I will have plenty of brass by the time I shoot up the 8 boxes of factory ammo I have plus all the brass I've saved... An Ebayer was still selling once fired brass recently.... IIRC, Silver Fox or someone at Predator Masters buys it direct from one of the Ebay sellers in 200 round lots just by contacting the seller directly, no bidding.

http://search.ebay.com/204-ruger-brass_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8

mitchell · « **Reply #3 on:** March 22, 2005, 09:47:38 AM »

well i believe silverfox is still out of town but when he gets back i'll look him up ,thanks.

as for the load data:

hornady case
40gr V-max
30gr of BL-c2
with WSR primer
OAL 2.395" (just off the lands)
cases where trimmed to ....(darn it you i can't remember , you would make me get off my butt and go up stairs) 1.845 (give or take a little)

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** March 22, 2005, 10:05:00 AM »

Thanks Mitchell!! I would just contact the ebay seller, make him an offer....

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** March 22, 2005, 10:15:43 AM »

Since that is a max load, are you seeing any pressure signs??

thx

Tim

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/rifle/204ruger.php

mitchell · « **Reply #6 on:** March 22, 2005, 10:43:27 AM »

yes i know it is but no signs yet could probably go a bit faster but i don't think i will mess with it . but this is my gun so you know reduce and 10% and blah blah blah be safe and smart people always check the book . (thanks for pointing that out quick )

bang_off · « **Reply #7 on:** March 22, 2005, 11:30:04 AM »

Quote from: mitchell

...if your thinking about getting one and just can't make up your mind DO IT you wont be sorry.

Funny you should say that as I just ordered one yesterday. :grin:

Only downside is there are none left with the importer...should be new stock here by July. :shock:

myarmor · « **Reply #8 on:** March 22, 2005, 01:16:02 PM »

Mitchell-some nice shooting friend :sniper: . With 52 rounds through it , though, wouldn't you have sufficent brass for now? Not that there is anything wrong with having extra though, lord my 223 brass count is through the roof :toast:
I have been looking at the 204 and I really like it, but with the price of ammo right now I can't seem to justify it at the moment. Perhaps down the road it will find a good home here.
Have fun.

ScatterGunner · « **Reply #9 on:** March 22, 2005, 02:14:48 PM »

i need to get a 204.

sg

mitchell · « **Reply #10 on:** March 22, 2005, 03:01:25 PM »

Quote from: myarmor

With 52 rounds through it , though, wouldn't you have sufficent brass for now?

well i wanted to take this P-dogin so i really need more and i only have 20 pices i've just reloaded them three times.

Brokenrack · « **Reply #11 on:** March 22, 2005, 03:06:29 PM »

I've been thinking about getting one but I want a Stainless. Anybody know if they make one yet or if they will?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #12 on:** March 22, 2005, 03:21:06 PM »

Welcome aboard!

The .223 and 22-250 are the only stainless varmint caliber offerings at this time.....and .243 if you consider it a varmint caliber.

http://www.hr1871.com/firearms/index.php?cat=4&subcat=36#51

mitchell · « **Reply #13 on:** March 22, 2005, 03:43:11 PM »

Quote from: Brokenrack

I've been thinking about getting one but I want a Stainless. Anybody know if they make one yet or if they will?

i'll bet they wont but you never know . i think i would go ahead and get the blue barrel you would be hard pressed to burn up one of these and a blue barrel isn't that hard to take care of no need for the stainless in my book.

Brokenrack · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2005, 11:59:57 AM »

I really was more interested in the Stainless receiver as they seem to have a better trigger not sure why. And I also wanted a Stainless for the way they look and the easier care. Plus, you can never have too many Handis. Buy the way I'm working on a 30gr. Berger MEF load for my .223 and so far it's looking pretty good shot group in the .4's and it could have been better but I was shooting from a Bipod. Should be able to get close if not over 4,000fps.

nofun1 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 20, 2005, 07:44:04 PM »

I picked up 5 bags 204 brass at Sportsmans the other day. Midway is slowly strting to get it out . They got 40K of it and sold out in 2 hours. but say they will get more so does Black hills . So it shouldnt be long.

Brett · « **Reply #16 on:** April 21, 2005, 01:50:20 AM »

Are their 'stainless' SB2 receivers actually stainless or are they nickel plated like their SB1 shot gun receivers?

Fred M · « **Reply #17 on:** April 21, 2005, 06:22:24 AM »

It's gone forget about it.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 21, 2005, 06:34:19 AM »

Quote from: Fred M

THis is not just a max load, it is a dangerous load. It is in the high 70 tees psi. That is according to certain case standards and chambers. With oversize dimensions it would be different. By the velocity this load should get anther 200 ft. Indicating some slack. The chamber must be oversize because this load has a 106% filling ratio. A normal case has a
30.96 gr water overflow volume.

Here's the data from the Hodgdons web site...

Quote

40 GR. HDY V-MAX (Maximum Loads)


DIA. .204


COL: 2.250"
   Varget    28.1C    3647

55,100 PSI

   BL-C(2)    30.0    3774

56,200 PSI

   H335    26.8    3738

56,700 PSI

   H4895    27.7C    3741

56,000 PSI

   Benchmark    25.7    3646

55,400 PSI

   H322    25.1    3639

55,900 PSI

Quote

hornady case
40gr V-max
30gr of BL-c2
with WSR primer
OAL 2.395" (just off the lands)
cases where trimmed to ....(darn it you i can't remember , you would make me get off my butt and go up stairs) 1.845 (give or take a little)

Why are you saying it's a dangerous load...Hodgdons doesn't think so...

??Granted it's a different primer...but in the 70,000's...I think it's time you loose your computer program...and start believing what the manufactures are saying Fred....sheeeeeeese... :eek:

Mac

quickdtoo · « **Reply #19 on:** April 21, 2005, 06:53:47 AM »

Fred, I think your computer programs are leading you astray, maybe it's time to just go back to basics and look at the data provided by those that are in the business like Hodgdon, etc.... They've been providing reliable data to us long enough that we should be able to trust their loads when proper handloading procedures are followed. And since Mitchell's loads are showing no signs of excess pressure, which are real evident when that occurs in a Handi, his load data should be valid and safe...I would think! Maybe a PM to Mac or Duce requesting them to delete your last post is in order, I don't think I'd want another statement like that blemishing my credibility, although we all sometimes regret things we put in print here..... :oops:

Tim

Mac11700 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 21, 2005, 08:06:20 AM »

Quote

the only down side is that brass is very hard to find right now (if you find any or have any let me know Wink

Grafs & Sons...has 270,000 pcs. of Winchester brass on order...and they said to get on a back order list...1-800-531-2666...they have it listed in their latest catalog for $14.79 per hundred...up to 2000 pcs...for $257.35...

Mac...

quickdtoo · « **Reply #21 on:** April 21, 2005, 08:13:15 AM »

Midway now has Hornady .204 brass again....certainly no bargain though

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=268649

Mac11700 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 21, 2005, 08:21:09 AM »

:eek: OUCH ...talk about price gouging.....

Mac

mitchell · « **Reply #23 on:** April 22, 2005, 06:16:32 AM »

well fred my gun hasn't blowup yet!!! and like i said i have no excess pressure signs. and how many times does it have to be said NEVER!!!!!!!!!!! use someone else's load data always start low and work up!!!!!!!!

Mac11700 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 25, 2005, 06:51:13 AM »

Hey mitchell:

How about posting some pics of your 204's groups

That's still some pretty good shooting....

Mac

quickdtoo · « **Reply #25 on:** April 25, 2005, 10:40:40 AM »

Fred, you just need to know where to look! Starting load is 28gr w/40gr Vmax and max is 30gr @ 3774fps and 56,200 PSI...I may be a newbie to reloading, but I can read writing!!!! :wink:

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/rifle/204ruger.php

Quote

40 GR. HDY V-MAX (Starting Loads)
DIA. .204
COL: 2.250"

Varget 26.0 3395 44,100 PSI

BL-C(2) 28.0 3569 47,300 PSI

H335 25.0 3508 47,300 PSI

H4895 26.0 3500 45,500 PSI

Benchmark 24.0 3419 45,200 PSI

H322 23.0 3319 41,500 PSI

40 GR. HDY V-MAX (Maximum Loads)
DIA. .204
COL: 2.250"

Varget 28.1C 3647 55,100 PSI

BL-C(2) 30.0 3774 56,200 PSI

H335 26.8 3738 56,700 PSI

H4895 27.7C 3741 56,000 PSI

Benchmark 25.7 3646 55,400 PSI

H322 25.1 3639 55,900 PSI

Fred M · « **Reply #26 on:** April 25, 2005, 01:47:34 PM »

Quick .
I am glad your eye sight is better than mine. Sorry about the mistake.

Crow dinner coming up.

It's like the road signs you look at them but don't really see them nor read them.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #27 on:** April 25, 2005, 05:00:34 PM »

Fred the data I posted above is the same data Mac posted before....

borg1 · « **Reply #28 on:** April 26, 2005, 02:28:05 AM »

Hmmmm....

How can I convince my wife to let me get a .204 barrel when i get my .500 S&W???

I doubt whether your barrel really needed breaking in. 52 rounds is a paltry number of shots... I think you got a tremendous barrel that has a great throat. I hope all of the .204 barrels are made the same way...

My .223 barrel took over 250 rounds to finally settle down, not to mention all of the great accurizing tips for the handi from Fred, quick, Mac, etc., that helped out a lot too...

mitchell · « **Reply #29 on:** April 29, 2005, 04:42:47 AM »

Quote from: Mac11700

Hey mitchell:

How about posting some pics of your 204's groups That's still some pretty good shooting....

Mac

sorry mac i don't have one of those fancy cameras yet but i will bring my 204 to the P-dog shoot for all to see.