>204 reloads?

[trigger7mm]

Merry Christmas everyone! I just bought a .204 yesterday, and would like to get some advise as to a good handload combo for it. Thanks for your help.

[Kale_M]

www.204ruger.com

try this, lots in info...click the Load data link at the top

[surfclod]

Your rifle will have its own recipe that it will prefer.

That being said the Sierra 39 Grain Blitzkings are a really nice round. Very explosive on gophers and about the best BC you can get in the .20 caliber.

Sadly I had to sell my .204 for extra funds this summer but had been loading the Sierra's and pushing them with Hodgdon H4895.

Have been hearing great things about the new IMR 8208 XBR. If you can get some that would be my choice for some load development. Being very temperature tolerant the same load will be good for winter (-30 C coyote hunting) and summer (+30 C gopher shooting).

[dollman]

same for me 39 blitz kings but i was using hblc2,mr fox didn;t like at all atvb steve

[DOGFISH]

Originally Posted by trigger7mm

Merry Christmas everyone! I just bought a .204 yesterday, and would like to get some advise as to a good handload combo for it. Thanks for your help.

Congrats on your purchace, what rifle did you go with, Is the rate of twist 1-12. If so the Sierra Blitz 39. gr is what I have loaded as well as the 40 gr. noslers. Just have to head ot to the range and fire them out the Weatherby .204 Laminate Thumbhole. Will let you know how they perform, it looks like it might be hard to beat the factory ammo for speed unless you start blending powders.

[redranger15]

Going to be doing up some 32gr V-max and some RL-15, see how they do in my sps.

[DOGFISH]

Originally Posted by redranger15

Going to be doing up some 32gr V-max and some RL-15, see how they do in my sps.

Really interested to see how you make out with those 32gr V-max loads. Keep us posted on your progress. What does your SPS like to shoot so far?

[6tmile]

I just loaded up some sierras 39 grain and 35.4 grains of rl 10 and accuracy is awsome

[trigger7mm]

Thanks for the replies. I bought a Savage model12FV with a 26" bull barrel. 1in12 twist. Looking forward to get it dialed in.

[redranger15]

Originally Posted by DOGFISH

Really interested to see how you make out with those 32gr V-max loads. Keep us posted on your progress. What does your SPS like to shoot so far?

I've only shot factory stuff so far. I shoots the 32gr Hornady v-max real good but can barely group 2'' with remington 40grs. Also have some 39gr blitz kings and some BL-C(2) to try. My uncles Rem vssf can't shoot anything 40gr and up worth a crap either but shoots the 32gr real well.

[gube]

The 204 is a lot of fun. I have three to feed and they always seem to be hungry.
My favorite powders are RL-10X and benchmark. I have done some testing with the new IMR-8208-XBR and am hoping results will be favorable as this powder is not temperature sensitive. I go through about 2000, 204 rounds per year and pretty much use all of the available bullets, that can be found locally out here.

[ceedub]

My 204 shoots the best groups with 32 gr V-max behind H322 powder. Still tinkering with Varget and other powders. Mine doesn't like the heavier bullets nearly as much, or maybe I just haven't found the right recipe yet.

Craig

[coolpoolken]

I have a Savage model 12BTSS in .204 that really likes the 39 gr. Sierras and a dose of AA2015. My second choice for that bullet is the Reloder 10X.....Ken

[Booner Sniper]

my 700 sps heavy took a lot of load development to get it to there I wanted it to be. Tried 32gr Noslers, Sierras and couldn't get it to shoot as good as the factory Hornady stuff, which was about 3/4". Got my hands on some 35gr bergers and have had good success with them with IMR 4198, now have it under 1/2". Tried h322 and varget in mine but they didn't seem to work out as well as the 4198. haven't tried any 39 or 40 gr bullets yet as the rate of twist suggests that it should like the lighter stuff.

[Lakehunter]

32 grn nosler ballistic tips-25 grns of imr 3031. very deadly. best load i found am gonna stick with it for along time.