Oh .204Ruger! How Do I Love Thee! - Page 2

**Shane Tuttle** · July 19, 2012, 08:14 PM

Good shootin', fella.

I'm still hesitant on buying one due to two factors:

1. Can they really be accurate enough to use for benchrest shooting to 600 yards?

2. Being such a small bullet, can they handle bucking the wind?

I know it's a cartridge mainly designed for varminting. I'm still leaning on a .260Rem instead. Yes, yes, I know. I'm probably comparing apples to oranges.

WIN71 · July 19, 2012, 08:38 PM

I'm ashamed to admit it but at the time I was working up loads I was fighting with my chrono manufacture trying to get them to repair mine. I, of course, had heard about the factory stated speeds on their ammo but experience told me that information was worthless. At the time I had also heard that ammunition was being loaded with some type of bulk powder that was not available to hand loaders. Duplication of factory speeds was near impossible.

I don't know about quick loads but a few years after I settled on my load I did run it through my new replacement chrono and the average of 10 shots using 748 was 4185 fps. That load was not showing any signs of excess pressure. I believe I could have increased the charge by at least 1.5 gr. without trouble.

I bought the 204 to shoot everything the size of a house cat and smaller. It's a single shot Cooper with a less than high quality 3-9 Fujinon scope. The scope was purchased as a brand close-out for $199.00.

impalacustom · July 20, 2012, 03:32 AM

Once you go to the 39BK or 40Vmax, you will never go back to the 32gr. The light bullets have no advantage over the heavier ones, especially beyond 200yds.

If you're wanting to buck wind with the 20's you need the 55gr berger, you have to have a minimum of 1/9 twist for those though.

I use 8208 XBR in my 204 and in my 20 practical, it meters nice too. I get 3880fps in my practical and 3865fps in my 204, both with the 39BK's or 40Vmax.

My load for the 32's was 28.6grs of 8208 XBR in the 204, 3950fps.
My load for the 39/40's is 27.3grs of 8208 XBR in the 204, 3865fps.

Remember if you are going to stay with the 32Vmax, buy the Zmax, they are half the price for the exact same bullet. Also start low as many chambers can be tighter or looser

WildBill45 · July 20, 2012, 10:48 AM

300 yards??? That is up close and personal compared to shooting prairie dogs in Colorado where 500 yards or more is the norm!

Loved my Custom Shop Remington 10x in .220 Swift!

For 300 yards I would use my Springfield M1A1 Super-match with iron sights for that!

July 19, 2012, 08:14 PM	#26
Shane Tuttle Staff Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 9,443	Good shootin', fella. I'm still hesitant on buying one due to two factors: 1. Can they really be accurate enough to use for benchrest shooting to 600 yards? 2. Being such a small bullet, can they handle bucking the wind? I know it's a cartridge mainly designed for varminting. I'm still leaning on a .260Rem instead. Yes, yes, I know. I'm probably comparing apples to oranges. __________________ If it were up to me, the word "got" would be deleted from the English language. Posting and YOU: http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting

July 19, 2012, 08:38 PM	#27
WIN71 Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2005 Posts: 729	speed I'm ashamed to admit it but at the time I was working up loads I was fighting with my chrono manufacture trying to get them to repair mine. I, of course, had heard about the factory stated speeds on their ammo but experience told me that information was worthless. At the time I had also heard that ammunition was being loaded with some type of bulk powder that was not available to hand loaders. Duplication of factory speeds was near impossible. I don't know about quick loads but a few years after I settled on my load I did run it through my new replacement chrono and the average of 10 shots using 748 was 4185 fps. That load was not showing any signs of excess pressure. I believe I could have increased the charge by at least 1.5 gr. without trouble. I bought the 204 to shoot everything the size of a house cat and smaller. It's a single shot Cooper with a less than high quality 3-9 Fujinon scope. The scope was purchased as a brand close-out for $199.00. __________________ Air goes in and out. Blood goes 'round and 'round. Any variation on this is a very bad thing. 개인 정보를 보호하십시요

July 20, 2012, 03:32 AM	#28
impalacustom Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Posts: 492	Once you go to the 39BK or 40Vmax, you will never go back to the 32gr. The light bullets have no advantage over the heavier ones, especially beyond 200yds. If you're wanting to buck wind with the 20's you need the 55gr berger, you have to have a minimum of 1/9 twist for those though. I use 8208 XBR in my 204 and in my 20 practical, it meters nice too. I get 3880fps in my practical and 3865fps in my 204, both with the 39BK's or 40Vmax. My load for the 32's was 28.6grs of 8208 XBR in the 204, 3950fps. My load for the 39/40's is 27.3grs of 8208 XBR in the 204, 3865fps. Remember if you are going to stay with the 32Vmax, buy the Zmax, they are half the price for the exact same bullet. Also start low as many chambers can be tighter or looser Last edited by impalacustom; July 20, 2012 at 03:44 AM.

July 20, 2012, 10:48 AM	#29
WildBill45 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2011 Location: Western PA. Posts: 1,630	300 yards??? That is up close and personal compared to shooting prairie dogs in Colorado where 500 yards or more is the norm! Loved my Custom Shop Remington 10x in .220 Swift! For 300 yards I would use my Springfield M1A1 Super-match with iron sights for that! __________________ ......................................................... "If Ands and Buts were Candy and Nuts, everyday would be like Christmas" Last edited by WildBill45; July 20, 2012 at 10:51 AM. Reason: add paragraph