Need reload info for .204 Ruger
- Thread starter j1129
- Start date
j1129-- First, let me say WELCOME to the Board.
For some good reloading information, I'd suggest you visit this Hodgdon Web site by clicking on the link below. They have reloading data for their powders for the 32 and 40 bullets from Hornady and the 35 gr. and 50 gr. bullets from Berger.
Hodgdon Reloading Data for the .204 Ruger
The loads listed give you a minimum powder charge for each powder and a maximum charge for each powder. Just my personal preference, but I like to stay with the Hodgdon "Extreme" powders which would be the Benchmark, H4895, H322, and Varget. I haven't had much luck using Varget, but have used the other three and found some decent speed and accuracy loads with all three.
For your 40 gr. loads it appears that BL-C(2) will give you the fastest muzzle velocity, but I'm not sure it will be a safe load in the hot Texas sun /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif My choice for the 40 gr. bullets is H4895 for my rifle, but your rifle may like one of the other powders better.
Not many powder companies have loads listed for the .204 Ruger. Just recently, Ramshot finished testing Tac and Xterminator powders for the 32 gr. and 40 gr. V-Max bullets. Here is some data that Gary Wenzel posted on the Saubier.com Board on December 15, 2005:
Ramshot Load Data with the Min charge weight listed first and then the Max charge weight.
32 gr. V-Max
Xterminator 24.0 to 27.0 gr.
Tac 26.0 to 29.0 gr.
40 gr. V-Max
Xterminator 21.0 to 25.0 gr.
Tac 24.0 to 27.0 gr.
Both Max loads for the 40 gr. bullet are supposed to get 3,800 fps. Nothing was listed for muzzle velocity on the Max loads for the 32 gr. bullets.
Here is some reloading data for AA2230 that one of the board members over at AccurateReloading.com posted. Use these at your own risk and start on the low end of the powder charge weights.
Good luck with finding the "magic" loads and please report back here as you make progress with your test loads. We want to see photos of the tiny groups you are shooting with the .204 Ruger!!!
For some good reloading information, I'd suggest you visit this Hodgdon Web site by clicking on the link below. They have reloading data for their powders for the 32 and 40 bullets from Hornady and the 35 gr. and 50 gr. bullets from Berger.
Hodgdon Reloading Data for the .204 Ruger
The loads listed give you a minimum powder charge for each powder and a maximum charge for each powder. Just my personal preference, but I like to stay with the Hodgdon "Extreme" powders which would be the Benchmark, H4895, H322, and Varget. I haven't had much luck using Varget, but have used the other three and found some decent speed and accuracy loads with all three.
For your 40 gr. loads it appears that BL-C(2) will give you the fastest muzzle velocity, but I'm not sure it will be a safe load in the hot Texas sun /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif My choice for the 40 gr. bullets is H4895 for my rifle, but your rifle may like one of the other powders better.
Not many powder companies have loads listed for the .204 Ruger. Just recently, Ramshot finished testing Tac and Xterminator powders for the 32 gr. and 40 gr. V-Max bullets. Here is some data that Gary Wenzel posted on the Saubier.com Board on December 15, 2005:
Ramshot Load Data with the Min charge weight listed first and then the Max charge weight.
32 gr. V-Max
Xterminator 24.0 to 27.0 gr.
Tac 26.0 to 29.0 gr.
40 gr. V-Max
Xterminator 21.0 to 25.0 gr.
Tac 24.0 to 27.0 gr.
Both Max loads for the 40 gr. bullet are supposed to get 3,800 fps. Nothing was listed for muzzle velocity on the Max loads for the 32 gr. bullets.
Here is some reloading data for AA2230 that one of the board members over at AccurateReloading.com posted. Use these at your own risk and start on the low end of the powder charge weights.
If you try the AA2230 powder, you will want to start out with 26.5 gr. and work your way up. DO NOT start with 28.3 gr.!!!! I did try 27.0 gr. of AA2230 in four shells using the 32 gr. V-Max bullets and Remington 7 1/2 primers in Hornady .204 Ruger casings. This was the only load I tried, but I was impressed with the accuracy for a first-time try. The 4-shot group measured .660". The average muzzle velocity for these 4 shots was 4,152 fps, the extreme speed on these four shots was 23.95 fps and the SD was 10.14. I have almost a full 1 pound container of AA2230, so I will be doing more test loads with this powder next spring when the weather warms up.All loads using .204, 32 grain V-MAX, and Fed Match primer:
1) 27.0 AA2230=4,150 fps
2) 27.7 grains AA2230=4,178 fps
3) 28.3 grains AA2230=4,279 fps....I loaded this one for use!
4) 28.5 grains AA2230=4,304 fps
5) 28.7 grains AA2230=4,409 fps!!!!!
Only slight pressure signs were noted on the last load....primers flattened and very shallow cratering, no loose primer pockets noted! It could probably go a bit more, but there is no need for it! AA2230 seems to have a pressure curve that builds velocity QUICK once you hit it! It does the same thing in the 222MAG! I've shot multiple groups now with the 28.3 gr. load in the .204 Ruger on different range test days and get the same velocity results!
Good luck with finding the "magic" loads and please report back here as you make progress with your test loads. We want to see photos of the tiny groups you are shooting with the .204 Ruger!!!