204 loads and powders

[jw83]

Have had my handi .204 for about a year now and I'm just starting to cook up some loads. Was wondering what everybody recommends for the best powder in .204? I have tried midway dogtown bullets with h4895, got mixed results. This time i'm ordering the 32 and 40 grain v max bullets to start with, will then try the sierra's. Thanks

[Bornsouthern34]

Not sure about the load without breaking out the old book but maybe these hints will help. If you are not using match ammo start by separating it. I know bullet production has come a long way but it can still make a huge difference when mm's count. Separate them into three groups. Low, dead on, high. At 40 grains, I would say 39 3/4 to 40 1/4 for your dead on group. Also, are you using a loader to throw powder or weighing by hand? That makes a difference also. Ultimately you will have to figure it out. I used to think that all mfr's guns shot the same. Wrong. My sister has the same 10/22 I have, only a few S/N off. Her's likes CCI's, mine remington and federals. Go figure. Good Luck.

[Grumulkin]

In my Contender, I've had excellent success with RL-15 and Hornady 45 gr. Spire Points.

[Buckskin]

http://www.204ruger.com/

Here is a good place to start.  Lots of info.  My Encore 204 likes the ligher bullets and I've kind of stuck with VMax.  I generally run H335 and 10x to near max loads.  Both powders shoot well under an inch and whack yotes at 300+ yards routinely.

[gube]

I have posted these here before. So here ya go.

35 bergers, 25.5 gr of RL-10X and 26.8 gr of benchmark
40 bergers and 40 V-max, 24.5 gr RL-10X and 25.5 gr of H-4895
39 sierra BK and 40 gr Nosler , 25 gr RL-10X and 27.5 gr of H-4895
32 V-max and 32 gr nosler, 26 gr RL-10X and 27 gr H-322 and Benchmark
26 gr varmint grenade, 26.3 gr RL-10X and 23.3 gr H-4198
45 gr hornady sp, 24.3 gr RL 10X

All of these loads will generally print out 1/2" groups or better out of both of my savage 204's.
These loads may not work in your gun so REMEMBER to start below these and work your way up at approx .2 to .3 gr at a time.

For yotes your best bet is to use the 35 and 40 gr bergers or the 45 gr Hornady sp's.
Wildcat makes a 38 gr hollow point that should be excellent for yotes as well. I am hoping to have some test loads of these soon and will probably be using them this season.

The ballistic tips will work for yotes as well, but if you hit bone they may splash and can produce some very large holes. My favorite for prairie doggin and other small critters is the 39 gr sierra BK. Has a high B.C., good mist and lift action, and best of all is the "giggle" factor of seeing your hits through the scope.

There are no factory loadings for bergers or wildcats in Canada. The Hornady SP's are available as factory made bullets and most 204's shoot them okay as their overall length is shorter than the 40 gr V-max.
Ideally you will want to re-load to get the most out of your 204 for accuracy and once you do you'll find it very addictive.

[GameHauler]

Would anyone care to share their loads for a 204 Ruger?
I have a 23" Contender barrel.
I guess all my manuals are older than 2004
when the cartridge was introduced.
32gr V-Max seem to be the bullet of choice
so I thought I may start with them.
Thanks

[jw83]

Try this website www.204ruger.com

[GameHauler]

Try this website www.204ruger.com

Thanks, My search here produced that site before I made this post.
Since then I have spent a couple hours reading it.
Lots of good info but have come to trust some members here
And the more info the better.
Its like comparing as many loading manuals as you can.

[skb2706]

I just got back from a three day prairie dog shoot with two 23" Contender carbines in .204 Ruger. Mine likes a max dose of RL10X, Federal SR primer and a 32 gr. Vmax. We were deadly out to 300 yds. plus. I won't post our max range......saffice to say it is well beyond what most consider 'in range' for a Contender.

[gofish]

I have 2 rifles in 204 . I found that 27.3 g of RL-15 , 40g vmax or nosler , winchester case , remington 7 1/2 primer is a realy accurate load. It's in the hornady load book . There is also a load listed for the 32 graners. What i like about the RL-15 is that  rifles clean up easly . Flows through the poder measure easly . Accrat out to 500 yds . The load book says it's a 3800fps load. I have been looking for a powder that i could use in the three main calibers i shoot(.204 , .223 , .243) , I think i found it. Ben thinking about trying some tac powder next.

Can't spell very well but shoot OK

[Grumulkin]

Hornady 45 gr. Spire Points over RL-15 gave me this 0.785 inch group from my Contender.

[gofish]

I have used the 45 graners on coyotes. Out to 200yds it just tips them right over.

Gofish for coyotes.

Can't spell very well but shoot OK

[GameHauler]

Thanks Guys
I have a pound of RL15
so I'll give it a try
Also have 8# of TAC
Hoping to make it work

[gofish]

I forgot to mention. The two best factory ammo in my opion is hornady Vmax and remington acutips . Now hears the tech. , Load books say an overal length of the round is 2.245" . Hornady factory ammo measures 2.245" plus or minus .003" , remington is 2.250" . I load for 2.245" or as close as i can get it. I have shot many 3 shot groups into one hole at a 100yds. This is a real good starting point as you work up your loads. One savage model 11 and one ruger model 1-b rifle . I tried winchest factory ammo early on when I first got into .204 rifles and couldnt makem em work. Maybey they make beter stuff now. Case would swell and stick in the camber .

Can't spell very well but shoot OK

[GameHauler]

Thank you
Lots of choices there.
I will hit my local shop tomorrow
Hopefully he has some bullets.