Common powder for NEF 204?

[doninva]

I realize you have to work up each load and each gun may like different powder and bullets but I'm wondering, which can be dangerous , if the NEF in 204 might like a common powder and bullet. I don't have enough money right now to buy several cans of powder and types of bullets so I'm trying to get swag on a common powder and bullet. I know Tims likes a 40 grain V-max and BLC-2 so what is your go to powder and bullet in the NEF 204. Thanks, Don

[Squib]

just remember to be too weak if you're gonna be off... and if you're trying to max a load don't super-crimp the bullet (it really does make a difference but probably not much with really light 204) and if the round is a little on the long side- no big deal either.  I always try to make it as long as I can get it and still chamber correctly (especially with semi-autos).

no idea on the powder choice though, I don't load for .204 Ruger

[95Road King]

My .204 Savage loves BL-C2 and 32 gr Hornadys. Actually every powder I've tried I've gotten Varmit accuracy out of it!!

[quickdtoo]

www.204ruger.com

[aromakr]

I've had sub 1/2 minute groups with Benchmark and Sierra 39 gr. bullets with Fed M205 primers.
Bob

[Swampman]

Varget

[bobg]

  Thanks Tim. That was very helpful to me also. I use a lot of IMR3031. Probably not one of the better ones but i am going to try it. Thanks again.
             bobg

[doninva]

Thanks guys, I thought I could home in on the handi here. I have read a lot on other sites, especially ruger.com, but they are geared toward the other brands. Don

[Manitobahunter]

  I've had good luck with IMR 4064 and 32gr Sierra bullets.  On a good day I can cover 3 shot groups with a dime.

  Cliff

[torpedoman]

I'm trying lil gun I'll let you know how it works.

[doninva]

Thanks guys, on the other site suggested, the concenses was BLC-2 and RE-10 were the top powders used but this is for mostly bolt guns. I was trying to get the same specs,maybe even a spread sheet like they had, just for the handi 204. Don

[moorepower]

www.204ruger.com has tons of load data. There is nothing special good or bad with a handi to a bolt, other than a bolt will take a little hotter load. As with any rifle, testing with your gun is the only way to find out what it likes. That being said I use 7 1/2 rem or wolf sr magnum primers. You can not go wrong with any 4895 or 748WW in addition to any of the listed powders. My favorite is VV 140, but it is a little harder to find, and more $$$.

[Cottonwood]

www.204ruger.com

I hang out over there quite a bit, and those guy's are all about the .204 Ruger 

[doninva]

From my understanding, the handi's have quite a few differences from a bolt gun. I have read on this forum that:

  1). They have way to much free bore to ever get close to the lands like a bolt gun.
  2). They have to be shot dirty while bolt guns need to be clean.
  3). If you set the forearm on anything without a washer under it, expect stringing, usually not a problem with a bolt gun.
  4). You need to keep the latch clean, well a bolt don't have a latch.
  5). There a bunch I've forgotten.

Most handi's won't shoot factory Hornady V-max loads. I could throw them better than mine shoot them. I have a buddy that has a CZ 204 that shoots anything you put in it under 3/4" and most under 3/8". I have never heard of a handi doing that. My whole reason for starting this thread was to zero in on the handi's unique loading requirements. Don

[Squib]

don- is it the handi shooting a big group, or the shooter that's moving around a bunch and not settling back into a good shooting platform prior to touching off the next round.  I know that I personally screw up about any rifle shot I rush- doesn't matter what caliber, rifle or sight/scope, when I rush and don't get into my zen mode I will skim the target if even that.

[JerryKo]

I don't reload for it yet.  I just got a new barrel to try and its going to get factory 32gr vmax.  The last handi I had in 204 shot it very well.

  Jerry

[moorepower]

All factory .204 chambers are long.  I have several guns that don't shoot any better clean or dirty, "within reason". I agree about the fore end, but this has nothing to do about the load. 4 has nothing do do with what powder or primer you use. Like I said none of this in reguards to how you load it, other than max loads are a specific issue with a handi rifle. All rifles have a sweet spot and most are not the same. If they were, we would only need one powder. Come to think of it IMR 4064 would cover most of my needs!