204 Ruger Pet loads

[titus123]

So I've recently re-entered the small caliber world after a long hiatus.... And am searching for petloads( loads that are known to give good accuracy in most rifles).
The powders I currently have on hand are Varget, H322, and H335. Bullets on hand are 40 gr. V-Max. So if you have any experience with the 204 Ruger, and any of those powders, feel free to post them up here.... Thanks I'm advance, Eric

 

[B23]

Not to be Debbie Downer but if you have a 12tw barrel, which nearly all factory 204's do, those 40gr Vmax may not shoot so well for you. Some people's guns I guess they do ok but don't be surprised if they don't.

The 32-35 grainers generally always shoot really well though and with a variety of powders so if you do have a factory gun with a 12tw barrel and you run across some of those, buy them.

 

[titus123]

Not to be Debbie Downer but if you have a 12tw barrel, which nearly all factory 204's do, those 40gr Vmax may not shoot so well for you. Some people's guns I guess they do ok but don't be surprised if they don't.

The 32-35 grainers generally always shoot really well though and with a variety of powders so if you do have a factory gun with a 12tw barrel and you run across some of those, buy them.

Mine has a 1-10 twist

 

[jpx2rk]

You should be able to shoot everything on the market, but I've had good luck with CFE223, Pro Varmint and Benchmark IIRC.

 

[ohlongarm]

So I've recently re-entered the small caliber world after a long hiatus.... And am searching for petloads( loads that are known to give good accuracy in most rifles).
The powders I currently have on hand are Varget, H322, and H335. Bullets on hand are 40 gr. V-Max. So if you have any experience with the 204 Ruger, and any of those powders, feel free to post them up here.... Thanks I'm advance, Eric

The twist rate on your rifle will enable you to shoot all rounds from 24 grains to 40 and shoot them well. No need to go any larger in the 204 as any load mentioned gets the job done with long range authority. 1 in 10 is the only way to fly in 204. So you have a TC Venture?

 

[titus123]

The twist rate on your rifle will enable you to shoot all rounds from 24 grains to 40 and shoot them well. No need to go any larger in the 204 as any load mentioned gets the job done with long range authority. 1 in 10 is the only way to fly in 204. So you have a TC Venture?

I'll be picking up a Savage tomorrow from a fellow member( here). It has a 1-10 twist Walther lothar barrel on it.

 

[B23]

Mine has a 1-10 twist

Then you're in good shape for those 40's.

 

[JB10]

Only tried benchmark and h4895. I Stuck with h4895 and 35gr bergers

 

[shadrac]

R10x and 39 grain blitz king shoots tight little groups.

 

[pauls]

27.2 grains of TAC with the 40 VMax. Works great ( and clean ) in 2 of my .204's. Not the fastest- but - accurate.

 

[1raggedhole]

As some pointed out, I haven’t had great luck with all rifles using the 40gr pills. My best all around load in multiple rifles has been 27.0 gr of H322 and 32 gr vmax or 32 blitzkings. Gives me around 4150 fps and great accuracy. Best with 205M primer, but still good with cci400’s. All have been in 26” barrels, either 12 or 10 twist. But the 10 twist seems to be a bit fast for the 32’s at 4150 fps. I had 32 zmax’s coming apart on hot days.

 

[ranger3]

8208 or H335 is my go to powder 40 gr VMAX

 

[titus123]

8208 or H335 is my go to powder 40 gr VMAX

H335 is the first powder I plan to try

 

[titus123]

27.2 grains of TAC with the 40 VMax. Works great ( and clean ) in 2 of my .204's. Not the fastest- but - accurate.

If I can find TAC, I'll give it a try

 

[B23]

If you can get your hands on some H4895 that too is a powder that works really well in the 204 Ruger's.

I just picked up a Tikka T3x Compact 204 and 35 Berger's with H4895 will be what I work up a load with first.

 

[SShooterZ]

R10x and 39 grain blitz king shoots tight little groups.

Shoots really well with the 32 gr SBKs too.

 

[JSH]

Those using H335, have you see any issues with warm/hot weather?

I read mixed reviews on the subject.
I don’t leave my ammo in the sun. Nor do I leave a round in a warm/hot chamber to cook. I myself have not seen what others describe.

 

[1raggedhole]

Those using H335, have you see any issues with warm/hot weather?

I read mixed reviews on the subject.
I don’t leave my ammo in the sun. Nor do I leave a round in a warm/hot chamber to cook. I myself have not seen what others describe.

I don’t want to highjack the thread, but yes, I have seen H335 being a bit more heat sensitive than the extreme powders like H322. Definitely have to keep the H335 loads out of the sun in my experience (Pdog fields), if they are near max loads.

 

[B23]

Some ball powders are more temp sensitive than others but they're going to be more temp sensitive than their similar burn rate Hodgdon Extreme powders.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I would start with the H222, watch for IMR 8208(probably be your go to when you find some).