204 Ruger Loaders Question
- Thread starter Mark M.
- Start date
JSH
Gold $$ Contributor
If you go to 204 Ruger dot com, there are a couple of spread sheets on favorite powders, primers, bullets and brass.
10X and Sierra 39’s led the pack.
I myself tried 40 grain vmax, CFE223 with a Remington 71/2 in RP brass with excellent results.
Also loaded some with Varget.
I have a test lot loaded to taste test the 10X.
With what I have tried I found the bone stock Savage rifle to not be fussy with what it likes.
10X and Sierra 39’s led the pack.
I myself tried 40 grain vmax, CFE223 with a Remington 71/2 in RP brass with excellent results.
Also loaded some with Varget.
I have a test lot loaded to taste test the 10X.
With what I have tried I found the bone stock Savage rifle to not be fussy with what it likes.
39 Sierra BKBT (Ballistic Coefficient .287)
27.5 Varget
Nosler Brass
CCI400 or Tula primers
COAL 2.34
Velocity 3800 fps
Accuracy <0.5 MOA (5 shot groups)
For some reason, I have not been able to get acceptable accuracy out of 32 grain bullets with my rifle irrespective of which of several propellants I've tried.
I have never heard of or read about a rifle that would NOT shoot the 39 Sierra well.
27.5 Varget
Nosler Brass
CCI400 or Tula primers
COAL 2.34
Velocity 3800 fps
Accuracy <0.5 MOA (5 shot groups)
For some reason, I have not been able to get acceptable accuracy out of 32 grain bullets with my rifle irrespective of which of several propellants I've tried.
I have never heard of or read about a rifle that would NOT shoot the 39 Sierra well.
Mark M.
Silver $$ Contributor
Who's barrel and twist do you have
Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
I have a 10 twist TC that really likes the 39 gr tipped Sierra, I use 8208 and CCI primers.
What is your freebore?
Mark M.
Silver $$ Contributor
I don't know, I did measure to the o-give with the hornady cal tool, its 2.022
Stock Savage FCV (but for the Choat stock). Twist: 1:12.
My shooting buddy has the same rifle without the Choat. He uses the same load.
Had 2 factory Savge barrels,1 Krieger,all standard 204 chambers,1 Criterion Match chamber.The Savages and the Krieger liked .075-.080 jump,the C, Match .017-.020 less jump.If your rifle shoots the 40 grain bullets,have used varget,win-748 and IMR 8208.The 40's are way less affected by wind than the 32 grain bullets,at around 250-275 yards,the 32's have slowed down below the 40's.Shot 28 grain Varget,28 grain win-748 and 27 grain of 8208.Used RCBS Precision Mic,Ogive reading was + .060 on Savages and Krieger barrels,[Roughly 2.060 to 2.070 Oal] on Match chamber .077-.080 on Mic,all capeable of 0.2 moa or better.Don't worry about magazine length,many 204 barrels like a jump to lands and grooves,If your barrel will not shoot the 40's,the 39 Blitz King is a great bullet to 600 yards
I shamelessly took the load information from the guns of the week article on the Cooper .204. I have the Phoenix model, and those loads with both the 32 and 39 BK were right at .4 inch average. They also shoot within an inch of each other out to 350 or so. I prefer the 39 for more energy when I stretch it's legs past that. I loaded mine .010 off the lands and not had need to move it.
Okay. Thanks for this.
I'm going to give this combo a shot. I've had trouble getting 32 grain bullets to give me the accuracy I want, though the 32 Sierras were pretty good. I haven't tried 8208, but I've now ordered some.
Again, thanks! I've never used this powder before and I welcome the opportunity to play with it.
xswanted
Gold $$ Contributor
Mark M.
Silver $$ Contributor
Just got back from a trip to the range, Load development for CZ 527 kevlar with a PacNor barrel in 204 Ruger 11 twist installed by bullberry barrel works in Utah, my best was 25.3gr. 10x, 39gr sierra, Remington 71/2 primers, norma brass, .030 off lanes, this gave me .4 moa, thanks guys for all your load advice.
I have two .204 Ruger rifles and interchange ammo. One has over 2000 rounds thru it, the other about 300. Seating depth really does not seem to make a difference . I have extended the magazine in both to allow magazine use with cartridges longer than .223's. Both are 11 twist. The over 2000 round rifle just shot a 8 round group at 300 that measured about 1.5" across & 1" up-down. The newer one will do slightly better. I shoot Hornady 40 Vmax bullets because they are the cheapest plastic tip 40's I can buy. H CFE223 is cheaper than IMR 8208 so I use that. I use either CCI 450's or CCI 41's because they have thicker cups than the CCI 400's. If I pay attention to what is happening generally I can get 3 in one hole at 100 with both rifles. My procurement system demands selection of the cheapest components,
My Rem likes 40 A MAX with 27.3 gr H335, 7.5 Rem primer or cci br 4 gives1/4 in groups but very temp sensitive. I'm moving over to 8208 once my current loads are used up. 27.4 gr. 8202 7.5 rem primerisn't quite as accurate, but not so temp sensitive. Once my loads are all used up I'm likely done with 204.
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