204 Ruger

02bigdogs17 · November 10, 2014, 05:43 PM

I'm getting ready to start loading for my .204 Rugers. I have one in a Remington 700 and one in an H&R single shot rifle. I have loaded many rounds for my other rifles but never loaded any .204's yet. Just wanted to see what other people have had good luck with. I plan on using 40gr Hornady BT polymer tip bullets, CCI small rifle primers, and I have several kinds of powder like Varget, CFE223, W748, BLC(2), IMR 4064, RL15. What would you guys recommend starting with? Just plan on target shooting and shooting cyotes with them once in a while. What is your pet load for this caliber?

Longshot4 · November 10, 2014, 06:07 PM

I don't have a 204. I am curious do you know your twist?

02bigdogs17 · November 10, 2014, 06:37 PM

They are both 1-12"

condor bravo · November 10, 2014, 09:16 PM

For my Mdl 700 .204 Ruger I use the same primer/bullet combination as you do but for powder I borrowed from Sierra. They show 20 to 22 grains IMR 4198 for their 39 grain Blitzking bullet. I cut the charge down to 19.5 4198 for the Hornady 40 grain bullet. This is a mild load at around 3200 fps.

Colorado Redneck · November 11, 2014, 10:54 PM

May not work in your 1:12 twist. Seems that some rifles will eat them just fine, and others won't. The 40 Vmax seems to be just on the threshold of being too long to stabilize with 12 twist barrels.

If you can get'em, the 39 Blitzkings from Sierra are the best I have found for the money. I use them and load them over 25.4 grains of Benchmark and get almost 3700 fps. They are more expensive than the Hornady's but if the Vmax doesn't work, try the BK's.

Here is a link to reloading data for the 204 Ruger:
http://www.rugerhunting.com/204_data.php

ZippyDude · November 12, 2014, 01:36 PM

My personal experience has found the 32gr bullets most accurate in my 204's.

Haven't loaded any yet as I bought a case of Nosler Trophy Grade and have yet to shoot it up. The 34gr bullets didn't shoot very well ... but the 32's are very nice.

Huge fan of the 204 .... so I will watch this thread.

Ifishsum · November 13, 2014, 03:28 AM

My Savage M12 (1 in 12) shoots slightly better with 39/40gr bullets, but isn't far behind with 32 gr either. Best powders for me have been Varget, BL-C(2) and W748 near the top end of the load data. BL-C(2) is what I use the most, at 29.5gr IIRC

November 10, 2014, 05:43 PM	#1
02bigdogs17 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 138	204 Ruger I'm getting ready to start loading for my .204 Rugers. I have one in a Remington 700 and one in an H&R single shot rifle. I have loaded many rounds for my other rifles but never loaded any .204's yet. Just wanted to see what other people have had good luck with. I plan on using 40gr Hornady BT polymer tip bullets, CCI small rifle primers, and I have several kinds of powder like Varget, CFE223, W748, BLC(2), IMR 4064, RL15. What would you guys recommend starting with? Just plan on target shooting and shooting cyotes with them once in a while. What is your pet load for this caliber?

November 10, 2014, 09:16 PM	#4
condor bravo Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2014 Location: Nevada/Ariz/CA Posts: 1,753	For my Mdl 700 .204 Ruger I use the same primer/bullet combination as you do but for powder I borrowed from Sierra. They show 20 to 22 grains IMR 4198 for their 39 grain Blitzking bullet. I cut the charge down to 19.5 4198 for the Hornady 40 grain bullet. This is a mild load at around 3200 fps. Last edited by condor bravo; November 10, 2014 at 09:37 PM.

November 11, 2014, 10:54 PM	#5
Colorado Redneck Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2008 Location: Northeast Colorado Posts: 1,993	Hornady 40 Vmax May not work in your 1:12 twist. Seems that some rifles will eat them just fine, and others won't. The 40 Vmax seems to be just on the threshold of being too long to stabilize with 12 twist barrels. If you can get'em, the 39 Blitzkings from Sierra are the best I have found for the money. I use them and load them over 25.4 grains of Benchmark and get almost 3700 fps. They are more expensive than the Hornady's but if the Vmax doesn't work, try the BK's. Here is a link to reloading data for the 204 Ruger: http://www.rugerhunting.com/204_data.php

November 12, 2014, 01:36 PM	#6
ZippyDude Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Location: The WV Posts: 21	My personal experience has found the 32gr bullets most accurate in my 204's. Haven't loaded any yet as I bought a case of Nosler Trophy Grade and have yet to shoot it up. The 34gr bullets didn't shoot very well ... but the 32's are very nice. Huge fan of the 204 .... so I will watch this thread. __________________ hack spit

November 10, 2014, 06:07 PM	#2
Longshot4 Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2014 Posts: 868	I don't have a 204. I am curious do you know your twist?

November 10, 2014, 06:37 PM	#3
02bigdogs17 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 138	They are both 1-12"

November 13, 2014, 03:28 AM	#7
Ifishsum Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,033	My Savage M12 (1 in 12) shoots slightly better with 39/40gr bullets, but isn't far behind with 32 gr either. Best powders for me have been Varget, BL-C(2) and W748 near the top end of the load data. BL-C(2) is what I use the most, at 29.5gr IIRC