204 Ruger Pet loads

[mike4aera]

Gotta make a correction here about my previous post, the two Savage rifles are 110 Varminters, not Predators, the Predators have 24 inch barrels, the Varminters have 26 inch barrels.

 

[jk80]

I've had pretty good results with benchmark and 35 gr. Bergers. 335 and 39 sierras were really good too.

 

[SpikeDiesel]

Another vote for 39g SBK and BLC2. I use cci 450s and settled on a good node around 3850fps

 

[stacy]

MY REM 700 LVSF 204 LOVES 30GRS OF VARGET AND 35GR BERGERS FIRED BY 205M PRIMER SURE GALD I HAVE I HAVE A BUNCH OF VARGET

 

[titus123]

MY REM 700 LVSF 204 LOVES 30GRS OF VARGET AND 35GR BERGERS FIRED BY 205M PRIMER SURE GALD I HAVE I HAVE A BUNCH OF VARGET

I'm down to my last 2 pounds of carpet. Good news is, my 204 hammers with 40gr. VMAX and H322.

 

[stacy]

I'm down to my last 2 pounds of carpet. Good news is, my 204 hammers with 40gr. VMAX and H322.

YES IT IS HARD TO COME BUY GALD YOU HAVE A BACKUP LOAD

 

[Hawkeye2]

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.

I have a Ruger mk2 target 26 inch barrel tried 32 vmax 27 grs of H322 for my first load. It was hard to find bullets as 204 was brand new then 32 was all available. After a few shots and playing with the scope it covered 3 shots with the head of the brass. Up to 12 power we don't loose sight of the target. Just love the 204.

 

[tjtjwdad]

I've had very good luck with RL-15 & H4894, RP-Case, REM 71/2 primer pushing a 39 SBK. The loads vary by rifle (x3) but they're in the upper powder charge range for best accuracy (factory barrels [CA, Remington]).

35 Bergers shot well too and the Hornady 40VMAX was so-so but shot very well in the CZ.

 

[Tommie]

Everyone who uses stick powder in small caliber reloading has WAY more patience than I do. Bravo!

 

[maddysdad]

given the 35 and 40 grain bullets what would you concider max range for ground hog hunting.most places near me can shoot to 350 yards and maybe to 400 .

 

[RegionRat]

No problem.

With the 40 V-Max or the 39 Sierra, 350 - 400 yard shots are pretty easy unless there is gusty or windy conditions.

When run side-by-side comparing a 40 VMax in 5.56 versus in 204R, it is like the 204R puts another 100 to 150 yards into range. If you can run a 5.56 to 300, then you can run the 204R to 400.