.204 ruger loads

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dicky0331

Guest
I was wondering what some of you guys have worked up as loads for this round. I have a bunch of brass, but wanted somewhere to start so i could save some time and money. Thank you for any help!
 
You will have more/better responses by posting this on the Factory Rifle forum.

Some of the guys here get a little grumpy with this kind of question on the benchrest forum. Also, try saubier.com & the GoGoVarmintGo board.

Rick
 
Here's my best load..

Remington700-.jpg
:rolleyes:
 
Dicky0331: I have been using the wonderful 204 Ruger cartridge since it first became available in factory Rifles!
I now shoot 5 Varminters in this outstanding caliber.
Each and every one of my factory Rifles has shot noticeably well since each was brand new!
I have to surmise that the 204 Ruger is an inherently accurate cartridge - and is easy to load for!
Each of my 5 Varminters in 204 Ruger caliber even shot factory ammunition VERY well!
I assume your intention is to attain accuracy as opposed to all out speed or top notch lethality on Varmints - so I will direct my comments to that end as you did not specify what you are seeking specifically.
All 5 of my Varminters shot the 35 grain Berger bullets the best - barely edging out though the 32 grain Sierra BlitzKings accuracy wise!
Having said that I have now re-adjusted all my Rifles to shoot the less expensive and more readily available Sierra 32 grain BlitzKings.
Back to your inquiry and my recommendation. I suggest you start out with the 35 grain Bergers along with Federal 205 Match primers and H 4895 powder.
I use Remington, Winchester, Hornady and Nosler brass to keep the brass from mixing among my various Rifles - all brands of brass have held up well and like I've mentioned provides great accuracy.
I use the Sinclair Bullet Seating Depth Tool to adjust my seating depths. I wish I had kept better notes on this end of the accuracy equation but I didn't.
If my memory serves me correctly my 2 Remingtons (XR-100 and a 700 VLS) along with my 3 Rugers (2 Model 77 V/T's and a #1-V SS) all had LONG factory throats - in other words my bullets jump a variety of distances to the leades of the rifling!
Best of luck with your 204 Ruger.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
 
WHY DO FACTORY 204s HAVE LONG THROATS?

VarmintGuy said:
Dicky0331:
...my 2 Remingtons (XR-100 and a 700 VLS) along with my 3 Rugers (2 Model 77 V/T's and a #1-V SS) all had LONG factory throats - in other words my bullets jump a variety of distances to the leades of the rifling!
Click to expand...

Same for my Savage LRPV in 204--39 grain bullets cannot be seated to reach the lands. If Remingtons and Rugers also have long throats, why do the factories chamber them this way?

I have had very good luck with WW 748 powder with Sierra or Hornady 39 grain bullets and Nosler custom brass.
 
Reloader 10X, any of the 32s seated 10 off. CCI BR-4s really reduce ES, but prairie rats probably don't notice.

IMO-The 32s seem to produce more " visually effective" results than the 39s/40s.

Good shooting!!!:cool:
 
Who Me?: My Remington VLS in 204 Ruger has a best group (5 shots at 100 yards) that measured .398" to date!
Your grouping made with your VLS is just flat out splendid!
Good for you and your Rifle!
I have a Nikon 6.5x20 variable scope on my VLS - may I ask what scope you have on your 204 VLS?
Keep up the good shooting!
Long live the 204 Ruger!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
 
Go to this website: 204ruger.com.
Hope you have better luck with yours....I found it to be a very tempermental cartridge.
After several hundred rounds, I gave up on it for this reason and it is now a 221 FB.
 
I shoot a Rem. XR-100 .204 Ruger. The throat is so long I am jumping .433 to the start of the rifling.
It shoots very well on prarie dogs with the Hornady 40 gr. V-MAX being more explosive and the Sierra 39 gr. Blitzking being more accurate.
If it shot in the .2's all day I would go win some bench rest matches, it does not. However if I do my part prarie dogs out to 350 yards are dead.
The load: Bullet -- Sierra 39 gr. Blitzking or Hornady 40 gr. V-Max
Powder -- Hodgdon Benchmark 25.7 grs.
Primer -- Winchester Small Rifle
Case -- Winchester
Loaded with Redding Competition dies.
 
Thanks guys for the replies, and I apologize for posting on the wrong forum!
 
204

I just bought a new left handed Ruger 77 Hawkeye in .204. I'm sure glad to see these nice groups you guys are getting because I am using the same bullet and powder and COAL and I've shot it 24 times and with the 5 pound trigger pull my groups are around 1.5 to 2 inches.

Guess it will need to be bedded and trigger worked over.

WD
 
204

Who Me? said:
Here's my best load..

Remington700-.jpg
:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

If it is not to much trouble could you send me a picture of your "worst" load or tell me what it is.

I seem to never or almost never have a gun that will shoot as well as the ones I read about.

Thanks,
Dew
 
Love the 204, great PD round & mine loves benchmark!! I shoot 32's & 34's....

Nodak
 
I second that load from Who Me. I shoot tight groups all day long with it.
Also from a Remington VLS.

Tim
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Do you guys think that if the my 700 VLS was worked enough, and with the right load that it could be competitive in a class? If so what class? I am looking to break into the sport and don't really know much about it.
 
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