Just got my first 204 Ruger

[gundogblue]

Last week I bought my first 204 Ruger, a Savage 12 FV, I''ve read a lot of good things about the caliber. Im not new to firearms though, I've been shooting all my life. For the past houndred yrs or so I've been shooting .223's in both AR, and bolt platforms, and .308's useing an M1A, and a Savage 10FP with the Harris precission stock. I just officially cleaned her tonight, boy does it have a small bore, Im useing a jag because my rod is a Hoppes, and the only company that makes a slotted tip to my knowledge is Dewey, and I don't think the threads are the same. I also hand load and intend to load for this rifle as well, so are there any special tips or tricks to the 204 that I should know about ? Also the club I belong to has a range from 100 to 400 yrds, so any recommendations on loading for the 204 will be greatly appriciated. Since I've never shot a 204 before for the exception of what I''ve read I really don't have a clue on it's capabilities, my rifle has a 26 inch barrel and a 1 in 12 twist. My first thought was to use a 40 gr bullet, but I thought better to seek the advice from those who know have been shooting this caliber.
Thanks
Paul

[Coyotecontrole]

I've had a rem 700 sps .204 ruger sps. Same barrel twist as you. I am currently looking into a new barrel at least 8" twist maybe 7".40 gr vmax are good up to 200 then start to tumble or take off. In short inconsistent. 45 gr sp hornady great up to 100 yds after that holes in the target were oval and as bad as 12" group. Sub moa with blitzking 39gr. Shoot clay pigeons hanging in trees from 325 yds. Ear holed a yote at 250ish yds with 32gr vmax. All my hand loads for 204 was with h4895 leaves nasty exit wounds.

[Coyotecontrole]

I've had a rem 700 sps .204 ruger sps. Same barrel twist as you. I am currently looking into a new barrel at least 8" twist maybe 7".40 gr vmax are good up to 200 then start to tumble or take off. In short inconsistent. 45 gr sp hornady great up to 100 yds after that holes in the target were oval and as bad as 12" group. Sub moa with blitzking 39gr. Shoot clay pigeons hanging in trees from 325 yds. Ear holed a yote at 250ish yds with 32gr vmax. All my hand loads for 204 was with h4895 leaves nasty exit wounds.

[gundogblue]

My first thoughts were to use a heavier bullet for longer ranges out to 300 and possibly 400 yrds max, but I guess I was wrong. I'll start out with 32 gr Vmax, and 39gr blitzkings, and see what happens. It's gonna be a while before I get her out though, I still have to get a scope, base and rings for her, the biggest problem is I moved from Illinois to Indiana, and now that the weather is getting better I'll be at the house in Illinois a few days a week for about a month getting it ready to sale, until thats done it's really gonna cut into my shootin time. But Im just trying to line up everything with the 204 ahead of time so when all the BS is done I can spend alot of time at the range.
Paul

[Coyotecontrole]

Really nice gun you bought though. You can trust the ballistics trajectory on vmax box to be super close. I stopped body shooting soon as i figured out that the 45gr sp hornady were tumbling after 100 yds and switched to a lighter fast bullet. Now its between the eyes or ear hole lol. I only tried the 45gr cause they are slower and hoped they wouldn't make such a huge exit hole. Then i decided not to worry about pelts and shot for the bounty on them and been dropping them ever since. If you reload try berger 35gr bthp. Ballistic tips are fast but destroy everything it hits. Unless you dont care about that, then fire away

[TEXAS222]

The 35 grain Berger bullets are really good but they are flat base not boat tail (BT). That's about all I load anymore is the 35's.
Jim D

[Coyotecontrole]

I stand corrected. I looked and 32gr vmax and 39gr blitzkings have awesome bc and hold it for a long distance

[gundogblue]

I want thank you guys for the info, its dually noted. I've found its always easier to seek advice from those who've been there and done that, it gives one a good starting point. I used to hunt all the time, mostly birds, and deer, but when I lost my Springer to cancer it just took it all out of me. Now I like to punch tiny groups in paper out to 200 yrds, and beyond that, as far as the rifles, and my capabilities, I love the sound of bullets hitting metal
Paul

[TEXAS222]

gundogblue: A great starting point for me with three different 204's has been a 35 grain Berger match/varmint in front of CFE 223, H322, or IMR 8208 XBR. 2 of them like it near max charge. The 35 is very accurate for me, and I'm darn picky, plus they will hold together on larger animals much better than the 32's IMO.
Jim D

[Bodei]

I second 8208 XBR for the heavier bullets.