Reloading .204 ruger

[blackfox 9]

Hello, ive started reloading.... ive found that my remington 700 likes the 32V-max over the 40s.

Im using H335 Powder and the load ive found works best is 32grn V-MAX and 27grn H335.

 

There is a pic below of my first 6 shots of the 32s, i didnt bother taking a pic of the various 40 loads as they are all over the place.

 

 

This was at 100yrds did it with my range finder.

 

Is this grouping of 6 shots any good or should it be more accurate, the 2 flyers were probably me.

 

Also has anyone used the 35grn Berger hollow points?

 

Any advice would be great

 

[jamie g 17]

from what ive seen of other 204's the 39 grain blizkings are around the best performers.

[Mr_Logic 5]

I had a Howa, found that it shot the 32 Noslers best, but I could never find the 39 blitzkings to try. 32 BKs were pretty good too.

 

In terms of powder, I used RL10X to great effect.

[dicehorn 38]

I had a Howa, found that it shot the 32 Noslers best, but I could never find the 39 blitzkings to try. 32 BKs were pretty good too.

 

In terms of powder, I used RL10X to great effect.

 

I would go along with Mr L the RL10X is the recipe powder for the 204. I reload/develop for a friend and the following is what is possible with this great little calibre - even with 40gr heads

[crocket 0]

ask this man for 204 info rob reynolds uk he as the same rifle as you i am sure he will help you cheers crocket

[Mr_Logic 5]

Dice, that's pretty much where I got to. My Howa was a picky little sod, but feed it what it liked and it did deliver the goods. Sadly I had two problems with 204 - one was the lack of anything to trim the brass (at the time nobody had the correct bits for the trimmer) and the second was that I didn't trust the 32s on a fox. Just about got it shooting Nosler 40s, but not to the same degree of accuracy. From what I read, seems to be borderline with the 1:12 twist - some work, some don't.

 

Why they don't cut to 1:11 I don't know, would make life much easier!

[blackfox 9]

Brilliant Guys, thanks for the help... I will be phoning my RFD to order some more bullet heads im gonna try 39gr SBKs, 35gr Berger Hollowpoints and the advised RL10X powder.

And ive got a case trimmer on order with reloading solutions.

 

Thats some very impressive groups youve got there dice I like it!!

 

 

It may sound daft but - im using remington small rifle primers.... will different primers make a difference?

 

 

So nobodys has tried the Bergers, ive read some very good articles on US forums about the accuracy of them...

[Mr_Logic 5]

Never saw any Bergers to try. I found, and still find, Remington 7 1/2 primers to be excellent, stick with!

[jordang 0]

ive seen good results from 10x and cci, federal and rem primers so stick to what you can get a good supply of and work your loads up with them!!

[blackfox 9]

[bANNED TEXT] ive got the 39gr SBKs on order, not gonna bother with the bergers yet.

 

I cant seem to find anywhere that stocks RL10x........ but a most have BLC-2 whats it like??

 

 

If anyones got any ideas of who stocks it in the Taunton/Somerset please post!!

Ive tried Sportsman & westcountry guns and waiting for some e-mail responses.

 

 

 

 

Cheers

[dicehorn 38]

[bANNED TEXT] ive got the 39gr SBKs on order, not gonna bother with the bergers yet.

 

I cant seem to find anywhere that stocks RL10x........ but a most have BLC-2 whats it like??

 

 

If anyones got any ideas of who stocks it in the Taunton/Somerset please post!!

Ive tried Sportsman & westcountry guns and waiting for some e-mail responses.

 

 

 

 

Cheers

See you must be near me - I'm 10 mile from Taunton

 

Have you tried Simpsons? If not pm me and I will give you their tel number.

 

Just as a matter of interest the guy I mentioned above has recently changed from 10x as he had the same problem as you - anyway he has now developed a load for the 40 gr Vmax using H322 and according to him (and he never exaggerates) he is producing one hole groups at 100 with this powder

[blackfox 9]

Evening Dicehorn, i live in Cheddon Fitzpaine just outside Taunton.

 

Simpson? dosent ring a bell.... where is he based?

 

Cheers Sam

[dicehorn 38]

Evening Dicehorn, i live in Cheddon Fitzpaine just outside Taunton.

 

Simpson? dosent ring a bell.... where is he based?

 

Cheers Sam

 

Hi Sam

 

Yes I know your area - I live just below the south side of the Blackdown Hills

 

This guy is at Chawleigh - keeps a fair bit for the reloader and is the type of chap that if is does not have it in stock will get it for you AND phone you when its in.

 

If you plan to shoot 40 gr heads , do consider H322

 

Peter

[blackfox 9]

Peter, ive just phoned Simpsons they have 39sbks in stock and i will be picking some up tomorrow.

I poped to Westcountry guns today and picked up some H322, ive made a few loads with the 40gr V-Max i had left.

 

What OAL do you find best??

 

I only used 2.250 but after some reasearch ive seen people using 2.3, so ive made the following

 

Using 40gr Vmax

H322

Remington benchrest primers

Hornady brass

 

23gr

24gr

25gr

 

With OAL 2.25 & same again with 2.3 OAL - It will be intresting to see the difference in the two.

 

 

Id like to thank you all for your advice.

 

Sam

[dicehorn 38]

Peter, ive just phoned Simpsons they have 39sbks in stock and i will be picking some up tomorrow.

I poped to Westcountry guns today and picked up some H322, ive made a few loads with the 40gr V-Max i had left.

 

What OAL do you find best??

 

I only used 2.250 but after some reasearch ive seen people using 2.3, so ive made the following

 

Using 40gr Vmax

H322

Remington benchrest primers

Hornady brass

 

23gr

24gr

25gr

 

With OAL 2.25 & same again with 2.3 OAL - It will be intresting to see the difference in the two.

 

 

Id like to thank you all for your advice. <img src="http://www.thehuntinglife.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/clapper.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="clapper.gif" />

 

Sam

 

Hi Sam

 

I give below the following recipe for the 40gr head using H322. Please bear in mind that the powder rate is NOT a hot load as my friend wanted accuracy over fps.

 

Bullet 40 gr Vmax

 

Powder H322 @ 25.3 gr (this gives 3910 fps through his Ruger)

 

Cases - Winchester

 

Primers Federal 205 (whatever you use will make little difference)

 

Cartridge case to be trimmed to 1.850

 

This bit is crucial - the COL (cartridge overall length) measures 2.282 and that in turn gives an ogive measurement of 1.903

 

I would further add and I hope you do not think I am being too anal but in order to fine tune your bullets you should consider two further procedures that will enhance your accuracy.

 

Firstly, When I get new cases I will neck turn them to get concentricity into the heads - sad as I am I then use a case gauge and any new cases that have a run out of two or more thou are binned - on the purchase of 100 I may bin as many as 15 cases - seems harsh but I did say I was anal !!

 

Secondly. It is most important especially with these small calibres to have a strict and thorough cleaning regime - its not just a matter of cleaning the tiny particles of copper out of the bore but also the carbon ring that forms in the throat of the bore - this carbon is very hard to spot to the naked eye, but if left in the bore will affect accuracy as the carbon builds up.

 

At the end of the day Sam if you can get your 204 to shoot 1/2" at 100 that is fine, however if you want to bring out the full potential of the 204 and be measuring groups in the .1" somethings then the two further procedures mentioned above are going to have to be considered.