Reloading .204 Ruger. Where do I start?

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Jeff000

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I have a nice tikka in .204. and I really like the round so far. For some reason I like the high velocity rounds.

I have been thinking about reloading for it. But I have no idea where to start. I am not even sure what bullets to use.

I shoot coyotes, gophers, targets. Not necessarily in that order.

Where do I start? and what do I need? I couldn't find any reloading threads for the 204 on here, but I might just not be looking properly.

TIA
 
Get a few good reloading manuals, a good press and dies, study the manuals, and then round out your equip. as you need. For a press I recommend the Forster Co-ax of course, for dies, Redding deluxe set or comp. set, or Forster set. For loads, chances are you can buy the same bullet as used in your factory loads if you like the bullet. You might want to sit in on a reloading session with an experienced reloader so you can get the hang of it. Most folks on this site will help if asked.
 
Here's a good resource:

hxxp://www.rugerhunting.com/204_data.php

I use Hornady projectiles, 32gn for everything, I tried the Barnes varmint grenades but find the Hornady's more devastating. YMMV.

-Trev
 
The Sierra Blitzking 39 grain bullets seem to be very popular amongst .204 reloaders. Varget, Benchrest and H335 seem to be popular for powder - probably H4895 as well well.

You'll probably want to try out a few loads -- some people swear by the 32 grain bullets, but my Savage seems to like 39 or 40 grain, at least at the charges I've tried. I've got some boxes of Berger and Nosler bullets to try as well. I haven't tried above 40 grain yet, because it is a 12" twist and I think I might be pushing stability allready.

Once the $^%$*(&^ weather improves, I'm going to work up some loads for it to really see what it can do.

Part of the value of reloading is working up a load -- what your rifle likes may be quite different from what someone else's does, even if they're very similar rifles.

There's a very good forum at www.204ruger.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4 on this topic, including a sticky on favorite loads.
 
I went to Hodgons web site to grt data for mine as my books are to old. Do a google search as well. I`m useing 32gr. Sierra bullets for gophers, picked up some Bergers to try this summer. Did not have good results with Barnes varmint grenades. Will likely try some 40gr. bullets as well this year.My rifle is also a Tikka t3, i had a Rem 700 sps it did not group well with factory Hornady 40gr. ammo. I have not shot any factory loads in the Tikka. For powder i`m using H322 and will be working up some Reloader 10x as well. It seem to be a fairly easy cartridge to work with, looking forward to spring so i can try some different combos.
 
tkv000 said:
Here's a good resource:

hxxp://www.rugerhunting.com/204_data.php

I use Hornady projectiles, 32gn for everything, I tried the Barnes varmint grenades but find the Hornady's more devastating. YMMV.

-Trev
Click to expand...

What powder are you using? I need to start loading for my VSSF II and get ready for spring :sniper:
 
BTW - Did you get the Tikka Supervarmint? I had pretty much decided on buying that before Cabella's offered a Savage LRPV in .204 for a crazy discount. I'd be interested in how yours shoots.
 
Oh, and if you're shooting rodents, you might want to look at Barnes' Varmint Grenades -- I haven't shot them yet myself, but I've heard good reports. One caution -- if your rifle has a tight twist, the centrifugal force on the VGs can actually cause them to fly apart well before your target. I haven't seen that in .204, but a friend with a .223 has (I inherited his inertial puller when he had to buy a collet puller for his press because he needed to break down a few hundred varmint grenade rounds). It's less likely with the smaller diameter.

Another caution -- be careful about pushing the envelope on loads, especially if you're working without a chrono. .204 loads already tend to be pretty hot, and it can be tempting to push the max load to get past that magic 4000 fps. Stable and accurate is better than fast, and waaay better than cartridge or chamber failures.
 
I have shot pretty much everything out of my 700 VSSFII. The BVG's have shot great when pushed hard with Varget, getting 4150fps, .40 groups. have tried RL10x, good velocitys, haven't found the magic combo yet. SBKs and HVMs have shot the best in the 32gr pills. 40gr Bergers seem to shoot no matter what I put behind them. All loads are BR4's with Win or Hornady brass. Anybody tried the 35gr Bergers?
 
I need a load to keep up with my .17 Rem :)
That puppy is screaming along over 4200+ with the 20gr V-Max. And shoots good too!

17Rem-1.jpg
 
I am running 35 Bergers with 27.5g 8208 xbr really acurate have not ran across my chrony yet ! but it drops yotes in a hurry !
 
I have 35gr Bergers loaded with H4895 for my one 204 that I use for coyote hunting. It is a great combination as the POI does not change with the temp outside and the Bergers are the best fur friendly bullet that I have found. I use 40gr VMaxs with BL-C(2) in my heavy barrell varmint 204 for gophers in the spring and summer but the POI will move up to 4" if that combination stays out in -40C temp for too long. I do have some loads started for both bullets with XBR 8208 but just waiting for my backyard range to not have 3 ft of snow on it to fine tune the loads a little better
 
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