I'm thinking of buying a 204 ruger but I don't know how accessible the brass is and what weight of bullets are available,along with the cost.I like to shoot alot and plan on using this gun on varmint and coyote as well as target shooting. any and all experience would be appreciated,thanks.
reploading for .204 ruger
- Thread starter wsmnut67
- Start date
Most things I've seen only pload once, gonna need more dynamite to make it repload
Most 204 stuff is pretty cheap, but it can be challenging to work with such small components. You likely need to get a special tiny drop tube or funnel to put powder in it. Very accurate calibre though, a good choice. Uses hardly any powder, no recoil.
I had no trouble finding bullet and brass when I had my .204 Ruger. When it first came out factory ammo was hard to get let alone components but now you should be fine.
Had really good luck with Sierra 39gr BK bullets, and Hornady 32gr V-Max.
The only annoying part was that all my regular reloading stuff like powder funnels and such was that most were designed for .22 cal and up. Just a minor expense but all the same something to keep in mind.
Had really good luck with Sierra 39gr BK bullets, and Hornady 32gr V-Max.
The only annoying part was that all my regular reloading stuff like powder funnels and such was that most were designed for .22 cal and up. Just a minor expense but all the same something to keep in mind.
204saskman
Regular
- Location
- East Central Saskatchewan
I have no issues getting anything for my 204. every gun shop i have been to has pretty much anything i ask for and iff not then they get it for me the next day or 2. There was a little shortage for a while but now stuff is good. I would suggest buying a good redding seating die and rcbs decaping die. I use those and also lee. I have had good luck with them. Lots of guys on here with them so there is lots of knowledge from others.
For bullets you can use 32 or 40 gr from Nosler and Hornady. Sierra has 32gr and 39gr. Berger has 35gr and 40gr. Win, Rem & Nosler have the brass. Powders, there are a great many to choose from but the newest one turning heads is called 8208 XBR, Varget works well,Win 748, 4895, benchmark, and many more. FS
CZ_Silhouetter
Regular
- Location
- Saskatchewan
The 204 is an excellent caliber to reload and you can get everything as others have said. The cost of reloading is between $42-$55 per 100 rounds so half the price of buying factory loads. This depends on the bullet and powder you choose to use and how much you buy at a time.
The one thing I will say is in the two rifles I have hand loaded for REALLY prefer magnum primers. I have tried 6 different primers: CCI magnum, CCI standard, Wolf match, Federal standard, Federal match, and Winchester magnum in both rifles. The difference was huge the best was CCI magnums at about 1/2" groups on average and worst surprisingly was the Wolf match at about 1 1/2" groups on average. This was tested with 4 different powders and the differences were the same for all powders. So just a heads up to try some different primers.
There are many different bullets available and they all work but the berger 30grs stand out to me as a great bullet if you wanna run fast in the 4200-4400 fps region.
If your a long range type shooter the sierra 39 grs berger 40 grs are both great proformers with Vihtavuori N530 running just over 4000 fps.
Just out of curiosity what rifle are you thinking of getting?
The one thing I will say is in the two rifles I have hand loaded for REALLY prefer magnum primers. I have tried 6 different primers: CCI magnum, CCI standard, Wolf match, Federal standard, Federal match, and Winchester magnum in both rifles. The difference was huge the best was CCI magnums at about 1/2" groups on average and worst surprisingly was the Wolf match at about 1 1/2" groups on average. This was tested with 4 different powders and the differences were the same for all powders. So just a heads up to try some different primers.
There are many different bullets available and they all work but the berger 30grs stand out to me as a great bullet if you wanna run fast in the 4200-4400 fps region.
If your a long range type shooter the sierra 39 grs berger 40 grs are both great proformers with Vihtavuori N530 running just over 4000 fps.
Just out of curiosity what rifle are you thinking of getting?
Just started my self.
I think this is the most important comment. few round I loaded the powder ended up mostly on the floor.
I have been using 39 g sierra BK with varget, WC735 and IMR 4064 all with good <1" at 100yards results.
One thing that did do work was seating the bullet out farther so it touched the rifling on my 700. It caused the bullets to keyhole.
I am just starting with it but so far I am impressed.
I think this is the most important comment. few round I loaded the powder ended up mostly on the floor.
I have been using 39 g sierra BK with varget, WC735 and IMR 4064 all with good <1" at 100yards results.
One thing that did do work was seating the bullet out farther so it touched the rifling on my 700. It caused the bullets to keyhole.
I am just starting with it but so far I am impressed.
You can make a 20 cal powder funnel in about a minute by converting a 17cal one. Countersink hole half way with 3/8" drill bit and then drill hole right through with 1/4" bit. No more mess with the powder. I bought the MTM powder funnel with the changeable ends and now use same funnel for 20 cal and WSM rounds.
My Tikka likes 32gr. sierra, just picked up some Berger`s to try. Hornady v max are good as well. For powder i`ve been using H332 And will try r10x and 8208. Wasn`t to impressed with Barnes vg bullets. Unfortunaely i will have to wait for a mounth or more for testing due to shoulder surgery. Haven`t had a problem getting brass or bullets in Sask. just got my latest supplies at the Speedy Creek gunshow last weekend.
CZ_Silhouetter
Regular
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Thats interesting cause one of my favourite powders in the is IMR 4198 which is a long stick powder but is hasn't cause any problems going into the case for me. Though my Chargemaster dislikes it.
26.1 grains of H332 with 32 grain blitz kings.
My rifle does not like Hornady or Nosler.
I am going to give the Bergers a try this summer.
My above load was chrono'ed at around 3800 fps which will keep my barrel happy for many years.
My rifle does not like Hornady or Nosler.
I am going to give the Bergers a try this summer.
My above load was chrono'ed at around 3800 fps which will keep my barrel happy for many years.
204saskman
Regular
- Location
- East Central Saskatchewan
I just pour slower. they seem to work great for me when loading bench mark and varget.
My Savage 12 LRPV likes 25.3 gr of Reloader 10x behind a 39gr Seirra Blitzking and a CCI BR4 primer. 0.020" off the lands. Shoots 1/2" to 2/3" at 200 yards. I'm still seating the bullet deeper in the case and it seems to like more jump rather then less.
CZ_Silhouetter
Regular
- Location
- Saskatchewan
There are lots of great rifles out there just depends what feels the best in your hands. I personally went with the Ruger Mark II Target and have been very impressed with it. It shoots 1/2" groups at 100 yards with hand loads no problem and the two stage trigger is supper nice and easy to adjust to what ever settings you like.
I'm having good results --- averaging about .6 MOA at 100 yards with five-round groups. Best groups in the .4 MOA range --- out of a Savage LRPV with no accurizing (and a less than stellar operator on the trigger). This is with 39-grain blitzkings on 26.0 grains of Varget. It's a fairly light load, but my initial workup tests found a really nice node down there, and I can actually watch my hits in the scope with the low muzzle velocity (about 3350 fps). Might have to find a faster node if the CFO ever allows us to shoot over 100 yards near Edmonton again.
I've heard reports that Benchrest is another good powder for .204 -- will probably work up with it this summer. I've had zero issues finding components -- P&D in Edmonton has an exhaustive selection.
I've heard of stabilization problems with 40-grain and heavier in a 12-twist (which is pretty standard in .204). Mine doesn't seem to have any issues at 40 grain, but I haven't tried heavier.
Standard issues with getting the powder in the small casemouth, but once you work out a system and get used to it, you stop noticing it.
I've heard reports that Benchrest is another good powder for .204 -- will probably work up with it this summer. I've had zero issues finding components -- P&D in Edmonton has an exhaustive selection.
I've heard of stabilization problems with 40-grain and heavier in a 12-twist (which is pretty standard in .204). Mine doesn't seem to have any issues at 40 grain, but I haven't tried heavier.
Standard issues with getting the powder in the small casemouth, but once you work out a system and get used to it, you stop noticing it.
