Putting together a handload for my .204

[Reloading Bum]

Hi Everybody,

I am putting together a new load for my, new out of the box, Browning X-Bolt Max .204 Ruger.

Anyone find a load that they like with this rifle?

I have managed to get a hold of some:

BRASS
Nosler &
Dogtown Brass

BULLETS
SIERRA 39 GR BLITZKINGS
BERGER 40 GR BT VARMINT

POWDER
RELODER 10X (still can't believe I found a single bottle, in a small gunstore, the only container on the entire shelf).
HODGDON BL-C(2)

I'm likely going to have access to powder from dear old dad as well. Need to make a drive there, and welcome any suggestions. My first .204 Ruger and I'm really looking forward to a PD trip coming up with my family.

Thank you,

Reloading Bum

 

[RegionRat]

You will do fine with the 39 Sierra and the Berger 40 BT. Later on, also try the Hornady 40 VMax too.

The RE 10X is one of the mainstay powders for 204, so you will do fine with it.

I don't think I have tried BL-C2 in the 204 Ruger, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth a try.

I have run a lot of CFE223, and had very good luck with it for making big batches of prairie dog ammo with thrown charges.

You are going to really love the 204 Ruger for prairie dogs, it is bound to put a smile on your face.

 

[A_Gamehog]

In all my 204 Ruger bolt and AR-15’s Reloader 10 was a great powder with fed 205 primers and Sierra 39’s. BLC was also good. 200 yard groups less than an inch.
You don’t state your twist on that rifle? It determines what you can shoot. 11 twist shoots 26-40 grains fine but some 12 twist bores struggled with 40’s no matter what you do.
Good luck.

 

[jds holler]

My 20 cal. is a 20-222, and my main powder is BLC-2. (although I'm now out)
Next on my list is IMR 8208. Shoots equally as good. These are used with the little 32 gr. V-Max at 23 GR. charge weights. You can pump that up for your 204. jd

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

My 204 and 20p shoots 32-40's very well with 8208. The 204 likes a tighter neck/bullet fit than any of my other rifles, especially with the Sierra 39, very accurate prairie dog bullet.

 

[1lessdog]

I have three 204's and shot 32 gr Blitzkings. And they shoot them good. I tried 35 gr Bergers and 40 gr V Max and my Rifles did not like them.

 

[JSH]

I have found the 204 fairly easy to work with, actually surprised me. The three I have are all factory barrels. Put less than five together and it will tell you in short order if it likes it or not. The cartridge seems to prefer upper end loads for accuracy, at least my findings.

 

[jk80]

Best I found was benchmark and a 35 gr. Berger. Next was a 39 gr.sierra with the same powder. Tried 335 and it would work in a pinch, just a wee bit bigger group.

 

[bullseyeshtr]

I've had good luck with N135, Varget and CFE 223 in my ar-15 204. I use it for coyotes been running 32-40gr bullets in it. 204 is pretty easy to load for.

 

[Reloading Bum]

In all my 204 Ruger bolt and AR-15’s Reloader 10 was a great powder with fed 205 primers and Sierra 39’s. BLC was also good. 200 yard groups less than an inch.
You don’t state your twist on that rifle? It determines what you can shoot. 11 twist shoots 26-40 grains fine but some 12 twist bores struggled with 40’s no matter what you do.
Good luck.

I have three 204's and shot 32 gr Blitzkings. And they shoot them good. I tried 35 gr Bergers and 40 gr V Max and my Rifles did not like them.

Thanks for sharing. Have you tried the 39 GR Blitzkings?

 

[Reloading Bum]

In all my 204 Ruger bolt and AR-15’s Reloader 10 was a great powder with fed 205 primers and Sierra 39’s. BLC was also good. 200 yard groups less than an inch.
You don’t state your twist on that rifle? It determines what you can shoot. 11 twist shoots 26-40 grains fine but some 12 twist bores struggled with 40’s no matter what you do.
Good luck.

Thanks A_Gamehog. I think I'm going to start out with the: Norma Brass, CCI SR Primers,39 GR BLITZKINGS and Reloder 10x? The Browning X-Bolt Max in .204 Ruger comes with a 1:12" Twist.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

39 sierra's, 35 Bergers. 3031 works well in some guns. 8208 is what I use. R10X works. Currently my 204 load is 39 sierra and 8208. Savage 12. Bolt gun.

 

[65WSM]

Note that the Sierra data shows great velocity with 10X compared to other powders!

 

[Ropemaker]

Don't overlook WW748 or H335 with 32 VM at around 28 gr. It isn't as fast as RL10, but meters better and just as accurate in my Savage's. So I have loads for both 748 & RL10 at 3800+ w/748 and near 4000 w/RL10 yet both print about the same at 200 yds at less than 3/4" if I do may part.

 

[searcher]

I don't go for the highest velocity in my .204's, as I end up using dial-up elevations for most of my shots anyway. I look for the most accurate load I can find. I have test loaded 32 V-Max, 40 V-Max, 35 Berger, and 39 Sierra Blitz Kings very extensively in three rifles. The most accurate in all three was usually with Accurate LT-32 powder. Primers didn't matter much, neither did the brass, though a few tenths grain powder adjustment was sometimes in order. The LT proved to be best in three additional rifles as well - , though not always with the same bullet. The most consistent winners were, in this order, with the LT-32: 39 Blitz King, 40 V-Max, 32 V-Max, 35 Berger. Other VERY worthwhile accuracy powders were H-4198 and H-322. The good thing (?) about the LT-32 is because it is expensive relative to most other powders - it can be easier to find.

 

[JB10]

35gr bergers, h4895 powder, fed 205 primers. I had a good load for 32gr varmageddons with benchmark but wanted heavier bullet for coyotes.

 

[johnfred1965]

On the 20 cal page on this site, I tried to duplicate the sierra 39 BK load of 24.8 grains of RL10x. I only made it to 24.5 but was a great 1/2 inch load. I could shoot 24.8 but they got kind of sticky in the 90 degree South Dakota heat. My best shot was just a hair over 600 yards, I love the .204

 

[Kittitas George]

I have Cooper 204R, the test target said 32 gr. Blitz w/ 26 gr. of Benchmark. That's what I've used, I just increase to 27gr., the group shrunk a little bit. I have about 250 of the 26gr loads, hopefully I'll use them all up in the next few weeks.

 

[CT10ring]

8208XBR & 39g SBK is a good combination.
27.0g, as I recall (?)

 

[Matt_3479]

I found rl10x to give good accuracy and speed but super dirty. Benchmark was slower but still good accuracy. 8208 seemed to produce best results in general. Accuracy, es/sd, velocity, geoups and cleaning