204 Load?

[PD Assassin]

I just received my H&R 204 and will work up some loads for range tomorrow.  I plan to use Sierra 39 grain Blitzking I plan to use H335

From loads I have seen I will loadstarting at 25 and increase by .4 to a maximum load of 26.6 (IE 25, 25.4, 25.8, 26.2, 26.6)

I will check to ensure I am well of the rifle lans then once I have the first set down range zero in on what the rifle likes.

Any problems with my choice of powder range or constructive load criticism will be appreciated.

Thanks
Jack

[jhalcott]

Be aware that the .204 is a HIGH pressure /small case round. In MY .17 Remington (model 700) a gain of two tenths (0.2) grains of powder showed greatly increased pressures. I have tried 32 and 40 grain bullets in my TC contender carbine with great accuracy. Sub inch/ 3 shots at 300 yards. With the 39 Sierra blitz i got 3/4" at 100 yds I used a MAX load of 27.5 /imr 4895. YOUR gun may NOT like this load, so start low and work up!

[PD Assassin]

Thanks for the response.  My choices of powder are H380, Varget, and H335

Which would you recommend?  I thought of H335 since it has been so accurate in my 223.  This is my first time out with it so I would much rather start safe...

I saw in another thread a program to 'verify' loads and will buy it when I get home.

http://www.neconos.com/

Thanks again
Jack

[Buckskin]

H335 is the favorate powder for my Encore 204 barrel and I have shot Varget, H332 and Reloader 10.  H332 is close second to the H335.
Don't know about the H&R, but the Encore barrel is 1/12 twist and for some reason it only likes the smaller grain bullets and loves the VMax 32's with 27.8gr of H335.  I've been meaning to try the Nosler 32's since they are boattailed, but have a nice stash of VMax's that will take a while to go though with a single shot....  By the way, H335 is my best performing 223 powder, again VMax, but the 60's... Although I missed a coyote this morning with it, but misjudged the distance, thought it was 350 and it turned out to be closer to 400 yds.   

[PD Assassin]

H335 is the favorate powder for my Encore 204 barrel and I have shot Varget, H332 and Reloader 10.  H332 is close second to the H335.
Don't know about the H&R, but the Encore barrel is 1/12 twist and for some reason it only likes the smaller grain bullets and loves the VMax 32's with 27.8gr of H335.  I've been meaning to try the Nosler 32's since they are boattailed, but have a nice stash of VMax's that will take a while to go though with a single shot....  By the way, H335 is my best performing 223 powder, again VMax, but the 60's... Although I missed a coyote this morning with it, but misjudged the distance, thought it was 350 and it turned out to be closer to 400 yds.   

I may buy some 32 Blitzkings on the way home...The H&R also has a 1:12 twist so I will try a box of them since I felt the 39 might be too heavy for the twist and want

I have a 1:9 223 and it hates the 60's loves the 55 grain Blitzking's shot 3/4" at 200 yards with 27 grains of H335

[PD Assassin]

Went to the range and the rifle does not seem to like the 32 Hornady BUT the 39 grain Sierra Blitzking were fairly accurate. I was amazed how heavy the trigger is so 2.6" at 200 yards was the best I did. 

I was hoping for <2.5" but there was wind and that is close to the goal so I won't panic yet.  Also my rifle seems to like the hotter load.  Best accuracy was with >25 grains of H335 and continued to my max of 26.2.  I had expected 27 to b the max but I will likely try Varget which Sierra has the maximum as 28

 

[Buckskin]

It's funny how different guns are, even with the same twist.  You will be able to drop those groups down, it's an accurate little round.  My Encore amazes me when I really bench in well, I've shot less than 1" 5 shot groups at 200 with it. For a $200 barrel I think that's truely incredible.  That didn't come overnight, a lot of playing with powders and lengths.  Right now I have that little 32 about as far out as I'm comfortable with (.8 of bullet diameter) and I use the a Lee Collet Die.  I pretty much just use it for plinking or a coyote from the house.  If I hunt with it I seat them a little deeper, doesn't impact POI just grouping a little.

[dieselman]

My h&r 204 bull loves RL-15 29gr sr mag primer with the 34gr varmit nightmare's OAL is 2.220", 3830fps avg. these were safe in my gun so back down and work up in yours. I have also had good luck with Bench mark, my gun didn't like varget so well or bl-c2.

[jhalcott]

  I have noticed that case life will suffer when you load to the max in these kind of calibers. In my .17 rem bolt gun, cases were good for about 5 reloads. In the .223 they last about the same as in the 22-250, around 4 reloads at max pressure/velocity. MY .204 cases are showing stress at THREE reloads! Accuracy is still great, but I'm worried about a case separation IF I continue loading at max. I haven't had the barrel long enough to do a test on lower pressure/velocity loads YET. That is a future project. For this summer,I will stick with once fired cases for max loads. Maybe due a test on .2 to .3 LESS powder on a selected group of cases when the chances allow it.

[Buckskin]

I haven't notice any difference in case life between my 204 or 223.  I have loaded some 6x and no indication of danger.  I have had a few split necks, but that's not a big deal.  Some day I might try annealing, but from what I have read, more people are doing more damage than good when annealing.

[PD Assassin]

Thanks for the responses.

Yes I wanted it to be more accurate, but feel 2.6" is good for a rifle that is new.  I expect the rifle to improve with more rounds down the barrel as well as loads that are closer to it's liking.

I haven't tried to find the proper length and that I think will help alot.  I bedded the rifle and expect that will help.  I get my Gall removed this Thursday so I won't get to shoot again until next Wednesday.  After that visit I will work on the trigger and expect that to make the most improvements for groups.

Jack

[PD Assassin]

Well I glass bedded the forearm stock and also bedded the breach of my 204 Ruger…last time at the range it did ~2.6” at 200 yards and yesterday it did 1.6” at 200.  I got the best accuracy at 26.6 and 27 grains of Varget with a Sierra 39 grain Blitzking.

I plan to go back to the range on Saturday and try 27.0, 27.3, 27.5, 27.8, 28 and 28.2 of Varget. I am pleased with 1.6” at 200 yards especially since I haven't touched the trigger yet, and it is hard holding it on target with the hard pull.

I did it differently than others and did not float the barrel in the forearm.  I planned to float it if this didn't help but since the Hand responded so well I plan on leaving it as is.

The rifle has exceeded what I originally hoped for and if I can get the trigger pull to ~3 lbs the rifle will be great on Prairie dogs