.204 Ruger Handgun

[stoutstuff]

Any one shooting the .204 Rger in a TC handgun? Any advise on barells and set ups?   Thanks!

[Who Me?]

I bought my first T/C this summer.  It's a G2 handgun with a 14" barrel in .204 Ruger. I mounted this scope on it:
"Burris Handgun Scope 3-12x 32mm Long Eye Relief Adjustable Objective Ballistic Plex Reticle Matte"  and a bi-pod.  I had E. Arthur Brown tune the trigger on it.   

I'm still getting used to shooting this handgun as it's a little different than the pistols and revolvers that I'm used to shooting. The scope works good on lower power settings, but it takes some getting used to on the highest power settings.  Your head position and eye relief is critical to getting a full field of view.  I'm  still working on loads for it, but I have been shooting 5-shots groups around 3/4" at 100 yds. with it so far.  Since I have very little experience with the T/C pistol, I don't know if this is good, average, or "keep trying you'll get there" !     I have a picture of the last targets I shot with it, but I haven't figured out how to post pictures on this forum.

[MnMike]

Who Me

Thnk you for the report. I have been thinking about getting a .204 for a while, but wanted to see what the groups were like. Yours sound good, they will probably get better as you get used to the gun. I have seen few other reports. I know the problems with getting used to pistol scopes. It takes a bit of practice.

I am playing with a long eye relief rifle scope on my .223. Because of the laws in my state I can't try it until after the end of deer season. Some have told me that I will end up with C shaped scars on my forehead. We will see.

mike

[buzztail]

Mike, I have a 14' 204 that I bought from Charlie C on this forum. I LOVE IT!! It draws attention at the range when you blow the back sides out of a golfballs at 100 yds with a handgun shooting factory ammo at a pretty good rate. Deadly on small game for sure, and loud as all get out

Who me?, I've found a light almost "free recoil" grip has drawn my group size down quite small. If you want any help with load data for the TC let me know, I'll share what I've got. I'll tell you that my gun likes the lighter bullets over lots of Varget

[Kirkned]

I also have a 14" .204 Ruger G-2 and I have not had much luck in getting it to group.  I have only shot the 32 grain Hornady Vmax bullets in it.  Using Accurate 2230-C powder with 3 different weights 25 gr. 26 gr. and 27 gr. and a CCI BR-4 primer.  Will not shoot any of these, less than 2". May try using just a standard Small Rifle Primer and the same weights of powder. What powders are you guy using?  If I can not get it to group  I will have to buy some factory rounds and see it it will group these any better.  If it does then, I'll try duplicating the factory loads.  Does any one know what powder Hornady or Winchester is using in their loadings?

[stoutstuff]

I'm just finishing up a Contender carbine in the .204 Ruger using Gunstocks Inc. wood, Fox Ridge 23" tapered barrel and 4X16 Mueller Tacticle scope in Warne QD rings. Can't wait to shoot it.  If I like this caliber I will make a pistol version as a mate.

[Kirkned]

Well I went out and tried the standard small rifle primers with the Accurate 2230-C powder and the 25.0, 26.0 and 27.0 loads the 26.0 group shrank to 1.03".  Next I tried 26.5 grs. I shot three 3 shot groups with this load and had a average group size of 0.82 not great but the groups are getting smaller.  Now I  will tweek this some and see what happens.  I also loaded some IMR 4895 with a CCI 400 primer and 32 grain Vmax bullets and the first load was 28.0 grains this produce an average for three 3 shot groups of 0.70.   Next went 28.5 grains and got an average of three shot groups of 0.52 this may be the hunting load.  I will try other things and let you all know what happens.  I still need to try the 40 grain Vmax and the 39 grain Sierras. 

[buzztail]

Here is the data that I have for mine, Handed down from the origional owner. Works every time
32gr V-max seated .010" off the lands....my OAL is 2.415" 
Varget- 29.0 gr
IMR 4064- 28.0 gr
CCI 400's I'll be switching to 450's when the 400 run out
As always YMMV, UAYOR, ETC...

[Who Me?]

Here is the data that I have for mine, Handed down from the origional owner. Works every time
32gr V-max seated .010" off the lands....my OAL is 2.415" 
Varget- 29.0 gr
IMR 4064- 28.0 gr
CCI 400's I'll be switching to 450's when the 400 run out
As always YMMV, UAYOR, ETC...

Shaun,
Thanks for the data info!  I haven't been on this board for awhile or I would have replied sooner.  My best two loads using 32 gr. Sierra Blitzkings are Alliant Reloader 10X @ 26.5 gr and Hodgdon Benchmark @ 27.5 gr.