204 Ruger Brass ???

Camp Cook

Camp Cook

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I just lucked out by scoring the T/C Contender carbine 204 Ruger barrel on the EE but now I have a couple of questions for you 204 guru's... :)

What do you use for a powder funnel?

Which brass do you prefer?

Have any prefered load data for 32gr V-Max & H322 powder?

What bullet would you recommend for bobcat/lynx?

My son is in Alberta right now he stopped at Bass Pro yesterday and bought 200 32gr V-Max bullets for me are there any other bullet manufacturers that you recommend that I try?

I also have a 223 barrel for my Contender that I load 40gr V-Max - 60gr Sierra HP Varminters for and and a couple of 22-250's due to this I do not want to load the heavier bullet in the 204 feel like I'm doubling up if I do.
 
CC Great caliber:dancingbanana:

RCBS makes a funnel for it
I use Win brass, Hornady and Nosler, all shoot great
Varget and RL10x are the only 2 powders I have tried
I haven't found a bullet my rifle won't shoot but I like the 26gr BVG's, 32&39gr SBK's and Bergers.
 
right now I'm using BL-C2 under 32gr Vmax-accuracy is great.
the RCBS funnel won't sit on the case mouth on it's own so I took the head off a 44 case and use the case as a collar.solved.
 
I shoot 28g of H332 behind a 32 grain V max in my 204 with great results ! That is almost a max load so be careful , mabey work up to it. They spit them out at just over 4100fps which is about the same as factory loads.
 
Congrats on your purchase. This is a fun calibre and deadly on gophers, etc.
I have used VMax 32 gr. bullets with good success but the Bergers are even better in 30gr. For some reason the heavier bullets don't work as well in my Remington.

My best groups to date, 5 shots (100 yds) at just over .20 inches came with, believe it or not WW 748 powder. If you can get some of the Nosler custom brass in .204 that really makes a difference in group averages.
I use the RCBS funnel and it doesn't sit very well either on the case mouth.
 
I have loaded a few rounds for the two 204's I have. My HS likes 40gr Ballistic tips with some Varget and my CZ likes the 32 gr with some Win 748. I have tried the 26gr Grenades also with Win 748 with nice groups. I have tried the 39gr Sierra's in both of my rifles and got less than satisfactory results.

Brass, if you wish to buy in to the Nosler hype seems like a good value for the number of times you can load it before it needs to be trimmed. I have loaded it right out of the box on a few occasions and it works very well. Pricey to be sure. I have loaded all of the other brands as well and all have given acceptable accuracy.

A great shooting round, little or no recoil, there is dedicated web site called 204 ruger .com plenty of fellows and their load data there to view. FS
 
I had a Remington and now I have a Tikka. I was shooting 40gr bergers in my Rem but had to push the hard to tighten up the groups. I found the 32 v-max to be very fur friendly with almost no exits and only a tiny entry hole. I use Hornady brass but only because I shot a bunch of factory ammo to start.

Good luck, great calliber!
 
I'm now using mostly Winchester brass, and H4895 or W748 powder in my .204's. I'd recommend thick cup primers too, like the Rem 7 1/2, CCI 450, etc.

I've tried most all of the available bullet types, 39 gr Sierra BK being generally the best all around performer, accuracy wise. 50 gr Bergers are shooting nicely in the fast twist (1 in 10) custom, though.

For bobcat/lynx, I'd try the 35 gr Berger.
 
Todd Bartell has 250 26gr Barnes Varmint Grenades coming for me so I'm set for now with bullets.

Due to also having a super accurate 223 barrel for my Contender, a Robinson Arms XCR in 223 coming, two 22-250's and a 6mm-284 I am covered for bullet weights from 40grs to 85gr which is why I am looking at the lightest bullets available for this cartridge/barrel combo...
 
My experience with the 26gr BVG's is they had to be loaded pretty warm before they started to shoot. I am now getting 4150fps, best group .40" out of my VSSFII with 26" barrel, Varget has been the most accurate powder so far. Personally I think this bullet might be too explosive for bobcats but I don't have any experience except shooting gophers.
 
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