204 Ruger Recipes
- Thread starter wonksy
- Start date
Not getting much traction on this so I’ll bite. Using IMR 8208 with 35gr Berger and Federal M205 in a Tikka lightweight. As usual in the 204 they like to perform best at or near max. In my Tikka Varmint 32gr Sierra MK and X-Terminator with Remington 71/2 at max or .5gr under make you smile 
What is your powder charge with the 8208 with the 35 bergers? In the process soon of loading up a few charges to try.Not getting much traction on this so I’ll bite. Using IMR 8208 with 35gr Berger and Federal M205 in a Tikka lightweight. As usual in the 204 they like to perform best at or near max. In my Tikka Varmint 32gr Sierra MK and X-Terminator with Remington 71/2 at max or .5gr under make you smile
In my T3 lite ss the 39gr blitzking is lights out( 5 shots one ragged hole smaller then a dime) with 27.2-27.3 gr of 8208.
Big bore dinosaur
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- NORT OF COW.TOWN.EH
40 gr v max with 27.3gr H benchmark. BR4
Low single digit S.D.
cz527 Varmint.
My buddy dave also swears by 8208. Both good powders
Low single digit S.D.
cz527 Varmint.
My buddy dave also swears by 8208. Both good powders
My experience with the 204s is that they are relatively easy to get to shoot very well with a number of powders. As others have mentioned they like to be near max so approach with caution.
I’ve had good success with: BLC2, IMR 8208, H4895, H322. I’ve only had one that will shoot 40 VMax. They all shoot 35 & 40 Berger, 39 Sierra Bk and 32 VMax. If you want specific load data PM me.
Good luck. You’ll really like the caliber. I sure do.
I’ve had good success with: BLC2, IMR 8208, H4895, H322. I’ve only had one that will shoot 40 VMax. They all shoot 35 & 40 Berger, 39 Sierra Bk and 32 VMax. If you want specific load data PM me.
Good luck. You’ll really like the caliber. I sure do.
Loaded up some 35gr Berger today with 8208…. 27.5,27.6,27.7,27.8,27.9,28.0
Not sure when I will get the chance to try, maybe not til spring.
Berger book shows 26.3 as max but I’ve read on lots of forums where most lads are running 27.5 up to 28.2 with no pressure signs.
Not sure when I will get the chance to try, maybe not til spring.
Berger book shows 26.3 as max but I’ve read on lots of forums where most lads are running 27.5 up to 28.2 with no pressure signs.
Appreciate your info! My first time playing with the bergers. Cheers.
prairie lover
CGN Regular
- Location
- southern MB
8208 is a good one. I've shot 10s of thousands with h 4895 ( a few barrels worth) Cfe 223 is also good. Reloader 10x also. Thats what I have had success with in a few different guns.
Bullets wise its hard to beat the 39 bk. I've seen very few guns shoot the 40 gr v max and nosler bt well but some do so very well. 35 gr berger has a terrible bc but is all right to 300 yards. 40 gr berger shot well for me
Bullets wise its hard to beat the 39 bk. I've seen very few guns shoot the 40 gr v max and nosler bt well but some do so very well. 35 gr berger has a terrible bc but is all right to 300 yards. 40 gr berger shot well for me
Yes I have zero desire to shoot the 40s and I agree the 39 Bk will be hard to beat. But there also very hard to find so I figured I mosewell keep what I have left for hunting and load up the 35 bergers for inside 300 yd plinking
Will also be trying the 32bk if/when they ever become available.
prairie lover
CGN Regular
- Location
- southern MB
Well if the 40s shoot for you it's like winning the lottery. The 40 v max has great bc and there easy to find.
Ive used h335 and cfe 223 both with great results on hornady vmax 32 grain and 40 grain. I went to the max charge and .5 below from Hodgdon reload data. Seems to work very well
I would love to try the sierras and bergers but havent been lucky enough to find any when looking
My rifle is a ss tikka t3x varmint in b&c stock. Would love a sako 85 in same caliber
I would love to try the sierras and bergers but havent been lucky enough to find any when looking
My rifle is a ss tikka t3x varmint in b&c stock. Would love a sako 85 in same caliber
I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it for sure.
I’m looking for a T3 varmit but like everything else there’s nothing available lol
I am working with some Reloder 15 in my new to me CZ 527 varmint. have loaded test load with 32 HP varmagedon, 32 Ballistic tips and 40gr vmax bullets.
Have only fired the 32 gr Varm loads and got a real nice group with 26.8gr and Ballistic tip in 32 also with 26.8 gr. Will test the 40gr vmax load tomorrow
I am using new Win brass and loading longer than the mag will hold so feeding them 1 at a time 2.355 is my COAL.
Im the past my go to load was 27gr of varget with 40gr Ballistic tip bullet
Have only fired the 32 gr Varm loads and got a real nice group with 26.8gr and Ballistic tip in 32 also with 26.8 gr. Will test the 40gr vmax load tomorrow
I am using new Win brass and loading longer than the mag will hold so feeding them 1 at a time 2.355 is my COAL.
Im the past my go to load was 27gr of varget with 40gr Ballistic tip bullet
