Gearing up for reloading the 204

M

mooretitan

New member
This is the time of year when I get a little break from work and start working on my reloading.

Last year worked up a great load for the 223 with 36VG and TAC. Great load and looking forward to hunting with it this year.

Now the next task is to dial in the 204 with these non leaded bullets. I have done a little playing but have not had the great groups I would like.

The two bullets that I have to choose from are the 24gr NTX and the 26gr VG. Has anyone developed a load to start with. I have looked around and there is just not much info on both bullets. Got to find a load so I can get out and start shooting stuff.

Thanks
 
Every rifle is unique. A load that works for one won't, necessarily, work for another.

My advice would be to pick a load from one of the data books or from the Hodgdon site and work from there. If you want a powder to start with, I've gotten excellent results with IMR8208XBR and H4895 when using the 26 gr VG.

With the high pressures of the .204, you'll want a primer with a thick cup. Rem 7 1/2, CCI BR4, CCI 450 will do nicely. Avoid the CCI 400. Cup is .005" thinner and wasn't designed for the newer high pressure rounds.

Run an OCW test to find your load and then tweak the group size with bullet seating adjustments.

Some might suggest running a ladder test. But, at the ranges needed and those light bullets, I think you will get better results with the OCW.
 
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Tac works great for me. 28.5 gr behind a 32 gr V-Max produces bugholes, plus it's a pleasure to work with.
 
The 26 grn. VG is a tough bullet to get to shoot well and has sporadic performance. I had to keep the loads around 4,000 fps to keep them under an inch
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I have had these bullets blow clean through coyotes. So much for highly frangible....... I got the best accuracy using RL 10X. Let me know if you need more, I will sell ya what I have left! Best of luck in the lead free zone.
 
My 204 doesn't like the light bullets.. I have better luck with 35 and 39 grainers.. For powder I'd try R10x.. For light bullets TAC might also work well. Hard to know till ya try some loads..
 
My 204 likes BL-C2 with CCI BR4 primers and either 32 gr V-Max or 39 gr Sierra BK's.

I am starting to work up some loads using IMR 8208 XBR powder. Looking real good so far.
 
Your biggest problem devloping a good shooting load is due to the lead free bullets that you are forced to use in certain parts of Cali. To get the weight you want the bullets get longer. Then when you get to the desired weight, the bullets are too long to stabilise properly in standard factory twist barrels. Good luck with your load developement. And when you start pulling your hair out, thank Barnes Bullets for selling out Ca. After that rebarrel the rifle to a faster twist. You see that most of these posters are using lead.
 
I am stuck shooting non peas not much I can do about it. With my twist rate will only allow for the 26 or 24 gr bullets. Any hints out there to get me close and then I can work it from there.

I am going to get some 35 bergers just to play at the range but with I really need to nail down a good non leaded l
 
What rifle are you using?
What's the twist?
What procedures have you used when working up your load?
What components have you tried?
What do your groups look like?
What ranges have you tested your loads at?

Lot's of guys use the Bergers in .204 and get good results.
My wife can put the 26 gr VGs in a dime all day @ 100 yds. So there's nothing inherently wrong with non-lead. So, what kind of problems are you having?
 
In a 1:12 Sabre Defense AR, 26 gr VGs group well over Varget (can't recall the exact load, 28.6 is my guess). 1/2" group, out of an AR, works for me. Same load in a 1:9 Shilen barrel doesn't shoot for crap. Rem. 7 1/2 BR primers, Hornady brass. Seated 2.250", I think? Going off of memory.

But, I started here:

http://www.reloadammo.com/204load.htm

I work in 0.3 grain increments now.

On the other hand, in the 1:9 barrel, with 39 gr. Sierra BK's, TAC groups like a dream with Fed 205 primers. Doesn't shoot for crap with Rem 7 1/2's. The 1:12 doesn't shoot the 39 grs or 40 gr VMax at all, no matter the powder, primer, etc.

So, yeah, it's really all about the other variables.

-S
 
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My early load development in the 204 Ruger has been excellent with the Sierra 39gr. bullet, cci 450 primer, and Win. 748 powder in Winchester cases.
 
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Vhitavouri n-540 is the only powder I found that I can get good fps without too much pressure. 40gr nosler bal tip @ 4024 fps 26" barrel
 
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