.204 Ruger project

[stef]

Never even shot one but gotta have.

My plans are:

Rebarrel MKII .223 Hawkeye to .204 Ruger, keep issue stock
Barrel 1-11 twist, 4 lands & grooves, stainless, 24 inch, #2 to #5 contour?
Intended bullets - 40 grain VMax, 39 grain Sierra Blitz King
Intended powders - Re10X, IMR8208 XBR, H4895,Varget?, IMR4320?, TAC?, Re15? (I have a .22-.250(53 gr.), a .308Win(150-155 gr), a .223(53 gr.) a .17 Rem(25 gr.) and would like to use existing stocks
Intended primers CCI 400's or 450's (small rifle regular or magnum)

My goals are to get .22-.250 trajectories, burn less powder and have less recoil so I can spot my hits, and still have a portable rifle. My .22-.250 weighs 9 lbs and I would like to reduce that weight.

From previous posts I would guess that velocity differences would be minor between a 24 and 26 inch barrel. Any thoughts about packing around an extra 2-3 pounds of barrel weight so I could spot hits better?

Any comments or suggestions would be welcome.

[Trent]

My first recommendation would be to skip the CCI primers and go with Remington BR primers instead. There are a number of folks (including me) that have tried CCI 400 primers and experienced pierced primers with the .204R cartridge. Especially with the heavier projectiles and loads in the upper half of normal. The .204R generates enough pressure that the thin cup on the CCI 400 can be problematic.

Check the "favorite loads" thread and open the spreadsheet. That will give you a good idea what a lot of folks are using for primers. Out of 85 posted loads there are only 3 listed with CCI400, and 1 with the 450(mag).

Same thing with powder, check that spreadsheet and you'll see what everyone is using. The RL10x would be my top choice for your .204R, .223 and .22-250. Probably not the best powder for the .308 though. I'd stick with your Varget for that.

Only you can decide how much weight you can carry around though. I put my limit at about 10 to 11 pounds for a fully built varmint rifle. If I did all my shooting off a portable bench I might go more than that. Those things can get awful heavy if you do any hiking around!

[stef]

thanks for the info -- I printed out the spread sheet.

Having lots of different calibers to load for it sure helps to have some universal components like powders & primers.

I hope to begin testing this September and I will be looking at velocities, accuracy, and primers.

From casually going thru the forum I have noticed some incredible groups -- like one hole! and most of these have been with factory rifles

[Trent]

I'm the same way, if I can use one powder for multiple calibers then I am a happy man. It makes opening the wallet for 8 pounders a little easier! I just ordered a 6.5 Creedmoor and I think I may have to add another powder to the inventory. I'll test my Varget first though.

[stef]

I have a 6.5-.308, made before the .260 was developed, this is very close to the 6.5 Creedmore. One of the loads that I have developed is the 107 Sierra MK with 38 gr of Varget, my rifle has a 1-9 twist. For max velocities for hunting I use 46.5 gr of RamShot Hunter with 120 grain bullets. Varget loads with the 120's are about 100 fps slower but are very uniform with little recoil. 140's get about 2700 fps with H4350 but have enough punch to drop Rams (steel) at 500 meters. The 6.5 Creedmore looks like the perfect round and if the .260 could be improved this would do it.

[Trent]

I am building the Creedmoor specifically for silhouette so I'll definitely be using the 140's for Rams, and Varget/120's for the other animals. H4350 seems to be the goto powder for the 140s and you concur, so I will more than likely pick some of that up and do some load testing at 500 meters.

Do you still shoot silhouette?

Sorry for getting you thread off topic.

[stef]

I would bet that Hornady loads and will keep loading its factory 6.5 Creedmore 140 gr. ammo with H4350. I have noticed that H4350 while not producing the absolute highest velocities is very consistant from lot to lot and gives uniform velocities shot to shot. H4350 is even used in 6.5-.284's for 1000 yd. shooting with 140's.

During the great component shortage some time ago I started using Ram Shot Hunter - a ball powder with a similar burn rate as Re19. I get Hunter about $2.00 cheaper per pound than H4350. Hunter works well in multiple rifles including: .243 Win(87), 6.5-.308 (120), 6.5-06(120), .280(139-154), .30-06(165-168), .300 RSAUM(150-165), .300 WSM(150-165).

Accuracy appears to be equal between both (groups at 100 yds) but I don't know about shot to shot consistancy, a real big factor at long range. As I can remember from my time on the high plains of eastern Colorado, the temps can vary and that might make H4350 a better powder.