.204 Ruger Help

BLS700 · December 30, 2008, 12:18 AM

I just ran one box of Federal Premiums through my TC Prohunter in .204 Ruger and was unimpressed with the results. I wasn't going to start reloading for this rifle yet but I know its capable of much more than what I saw today (for a hell of a lot less money). So I'm having trouble finding alot of data. I bought a box of 32 grain Nosler ballistic tips and I'll be using winchester brass and federal 205m primers. I'm going to try Varget first. Any advice on this caliber would be helpful. I have seen that the trim length is 1.840, does anyone know if that's correct? Also, what about a recommended COAL? Thanks for any help.

BLS700 · December 30, 2008, 01:18 AM

Also, if anyone has real hunting experience with the 32 grain ballistic tips please let me know how they did.

Qtiphky · December 30, 2008, 07:47 AM

I use Hornady 40 grain Vmax in a CZ 527 American Bolt action. Here are the two loads that I currently have and their 3 shot grouping results at 100 yards:

Varget 26 grains listed at 3500 fps; CCI small rifle primers; Remington cases; .76 group (my 12 year old shot this) and .54 group (I shot this)

Accur 2520 27 grains listed at 3627 fps; CCI small rifle primers; Remington cases; .95 group

I got both of these off .204ruger.com website. This website has lots of data for you to choose from.

BLS700 · December 30, 2008, 11:08 AM

Nice group by your kid. It seems like this is a cartridge with a lot of potential. I'll probably use Varget in my first load since I have some and it seems to work for you. These are going to be hunting rounds. I'd like to get them as accurate as possible but .25 groups aren't necessary. Coyotes can't seem to tell in my limited experience.

Qtiphky · December 30, 2008, 01:56 PM

I have used Varget in this and .223 rounds with pretty good success. I don't think MOA is too bad for accuracy. I suppose there are those that that isn't good enough for, but it is plenty fine for me. And yes, I don't think coyotes can tell the difference between .25 and .76 groups if they are in range. Theoretically speaking, the group would double at 200 yds, which still puts it under two inches, which from my knowledge of the coyote anatomy would still be well in the boiler room. I load for kill zone with my hunting rounds, which means if I can put the bullet in about a four inch circle, it should be a dead 'yote at whatever the range may be.

cobra81 · December 30, 2008, 10:58 PM

27.2 gr. Hodgdon H322 works well in my Savage with Hornady 32gr. bullets.
Winchester brass, Federal 205M primers.
204 Ruger is a scary accurate caliber. (And a lot of fun to shoot!)

BLS700 · December 31, 2008, 01:13 AM

Yeah it does seem to have, as you put it, scary accurate potential. I'm a little worried about a 32 grain ballistic tip in the wind. The nosler website doesn't have a lot of powder options for their bullets so I'm starting with Varget like I said previously but I could see 322 or 335 working well.

BLS700 · December 31, 2008, 01:16 AM

Actually that poses a good question. Why am I having so much freaking trouble finding data on the 32 grain Nosler's?

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · December 31, 2008, 08:15 AM

check out hodgdon's website. they have load data for .204 ruger.

cobra81 · December 31, 2008, 10:57 AM

I know, the effect of wind on the little bullet concerned me, too, but after a trip to south dakota for prairie dogs last summer, those doubts evaporated.
Lots of wind where we were, but out to 250 yds, I never had a problem with it, using Hornady 32 grain bullets. At longer ranges, yeah, but I don't think that will be solved within the .204's range of bullet choices. I've seen wind drift charts comparing .204 to 22-250 and Swift, and it fares pretty favorably against both. Just load em up to around 4000 fps and let the velocity do it's magic.

BLS700 · December 31, 2008, 11:13 AM

Thanks cobra81 that's a relief to hear wind wasn't a problem. Since I'm mostly using this for coyote much past 250 isn't very realistic, maybe groundhog though. I don't trust the bullet to have enough energy on a yote past 300.

December 30, 2008, 12:18 AM	#1
BLS700 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 229	.204 Ruger Help I just ran one box of Federal Premiums through my TC Prohunter in .204 Ruger and was unimpressed with the results. I wasn't going to start reloading for this rifle yet but I know its capable of much more than what I saw today (for a hell of a lot less money). So I'm having trouble finding alot of data. I bought a box of 32 grain Nosler ballistic tips and I'll be using winchester brass and federal 205m primers. I'm going to try Varget first. Any advice on this caliber would be helpful. I have seen that the trim length is 1.840, does anyone know if that's correct? Also, what about a recommended COAL? Thanks for any help.

December 31, 2008, 08:15 AM	#9
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	check out hodgdon's website. they have load data for .204 ruger. __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

December 30, 2008, 01:18 AM	#2
BLS700 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 229	Also, if anyone has real hunting experience with the 32 grain ballistic tips please let me know how they did.

December 30, 2008, 07:47 AM	#3
Qtiphky Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2008 Location: Upper Michigan, above the Mackinac Bridge Posts: 568	I use Hornady 40 grain Vmax in a CZ 527 American Bolt action. Here are the two loads that I currently have and their 3 shot grouping results at 100 yards: Varget 26 grains listed at 3500 fps; CCI small rifle primers; Remington cases; .76 group (my 12 year old shot this) and .54 group (I shot this) Accur 2520 27 grains listed at 3627 fps; CCI small rifle primers; Remington cases; .95 group I got both of these off .204ruger.com website. This website has lots of data for you to choose from.

December 30, 2008, 11:08 AM	#4
BLS700 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 229	Nice group by your kid. It seems like this is a cartridge with a lot of potential. I'll probably use Varget in my first load since I have some and it seems to work for you. These are going to be hunting rounds. I'd like to get them as accurate as possible but .25 groups aren't necessary. Coyotes can't seem to tell in my limited experience.

December 30, 2008, 01:56 PM	#5
Qtiphky Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2008 Location: Upper Michigan, above the Mackinac Bridge Posts: 568	I have used Varget in this and .223 rounds with pretty good success. I don't think MOA is too bad for accuracy. I suppose there are those that that isn't good enough for, but it is plenty fine for me. And yes, I don't think coyotes can tell the difference between .25 and .76 groups if they are in range. Theoretically speaking, the group would double at 200 yds, which still puts it under two inches, which from my knowledge of the coyote anatomy would still be well in the boiler room. I load for kill zone with my hunting rounds, which means if I can put the bullet in about a four inch circle, it should be a dead 'yote at whatever the range may be.

December 30, 2008, 10:58 PM	#6
cobra81 Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 336	27.2 gr. Hodgdon H322 works well in my Savage with Hornady 32gr. bullets. Winchester brass, Federal 205M primers. 204 Ruger is a scary accurate caliber. (And a lot of fun to shoot!)

December 31, 2008, 01:13 AM	#7
BLS700 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 229	Yeah it does seem to have, as you put it, scary accurate potential. I'm a little worried about a 32 grain ballistic tip in the wind. The nosler website doesn't have a lot of powder options for their bullets so I'm starting with Varget like I said previously but I could see 322 or 335 working well.

December 31, 2008, 01:16 AM	#8
BLS700 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 229	Actually that poses a good question. Why am I having so much freaking trouble finding data on the 32 grain Nosler's?

December 31, 2008, 10:57 AM	#10
cobra81 Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 336	I know, the effect of wind on the little bullet concerned me, too, but after a trip to south dakota for prairie dogs last summer, those doubts evaporated. Lots of wind where we were, but out to 250 yds, I never had a problem with it, using Hornady 32 grain bullets. At longer ranges, yeah, but I don't think that will be solved within the .204's range of bullet choices. I've seen wind drift charts comparing .204 to 22-250 and Swift, and it fares pretty favorably against both. Just load em up to around 4000 fps and let the velocity do it's magic.

December 31, 2008, 11:13 AM	#11
BLS700 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 229	Thanks cobra81 that's a relief to hear wind wasn't a problem. Since I'm mostly using this for coyote much past 250 isn't very realistic, maybe groundhog though. I don't trust the bullet to have enough energy on a yote past 300.