SmallCaliberCentral

Hi all, I am new to the forum and to the 204. I decided on a 204 because I have shot the 17hmr for a long time and once I saw the laser like trajectory of the 204 I had to have one.

I went with a Howa 1500 supreme varminter, thumbhole stock and heavy barrel. Added a Nikon Prostaff.

So far I have only tried shooting the 40grain V maxes out of it and have not grouped them better than 1.5-2" at 100. Anybody with my same setup have trouble with these heavy bullets? I am going to pick up a few boxes of the 32 grain V Max bullets this afternoon and see if that helps. If not I am going to start reloading I suppose

I would love to hear from any of y'all that have my same set up.

I usually hunt coyotes/ varmints and I am located in Central TX. Here is some pics of the rifle and the dog I got yesterday. Shot this one at about 320 yards. The wind pushed the bullet more than I thought second shot was in the neck!

Edit: How do I attach images?

Edit: How do I attach images?[/quote]
There is a sticky at the top of the page. You will need to have a photobucket account.

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new rifle. I personally cannot help you with the Howa grouping. My Savage model 11 loves the 32gr V-max factory load. I'm still developing my hand load. I also have a Remington 700 SPS Varmit that I just picked up. Each rifle and barrel are going to give a different result. Sorry if I wasn't much help. There is a lot of knowledgable people on this site and they will help get you going in the right direction.

How to attach images: http://www.204ruger.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3805

I picked up some Hornady 45gr and they group not bad on my rifle. Thats what I got to use until I got reloading equipment. Now I load 39gr and 35gr. They shoot really well out of my rifle. A lot of guys say the 40gr's don't group well out of their rifles. I haven't tried them yet so I can't comment.

I bought my Howa 1500 Varminter, with the Hogue overmold stock, 6 or 7 yrs ago. I don't have any experience with factory loads in this rifle, because I have never shot a factory load thru her. I have only shot my reloads thru it. As for the 40gr Vmax reloads, the only load I have found is with H4895 powder. Prints around 1/2 moa at 100yds. This is my backup load just in case I can't find the powder and bullets that she prefers. My 1500 likes 32gr Vmax, and Benchmark powder, seated around .125 off the lands. But my preferred load is with RE10x with a 39gr SBK ,seated as far out as I dare go. I have shot groups around 3/8 in, at 100 yards, with this load. Also I only shoot off a bench, so with this load, I cannot use the mag. Makes no difference for me tho, as I only shoot single shot. Lots of time for a second, third or even a fourth shot if needed.
If you decide to reload, and need to use the mag, your seating depth will be limited to the length of the magazine. HTH

First off welcome to the forum! You made a good choice going with the 204 Ruger and an equally good choice picking up the Howa varminter supreme. I have owned 3 of the Howa 204 rifles and enjoyed every one of them. I put the Howa rifles right up there with the CZ 527 as far as quality goes. I mostly used the 32 grain bullets in mine, on occasion I would use the 39 sierra blitzking. If you want to use a heavier bullet I would highly recommend the 39 Sierra over the 40 vmax. The Sierra is just a little shorter in oal and typically stabilizes a bit better than the vmax. That being said I would also recommend the Nosler Varmageddon 32 grain bullets, accuracy and quality level on par with the Sierra bullet and at a budget price of around $14 a box.

Brad

My Howa loved the Fiocchi 40 grain Vmax factory loads. I'm working up some handloads with the Vmax for rock chucks.

Here is some pics of the gun and some of the fun I had with it this weekend!



http://s1120.beta.photobucket.com/user/ ... 1.jpg.html

I cannot get the thing to let me add my images. But you can see it if you click the link.

Here you go:

Thanks Sir!

Welcome DUck hunter, what part of Centex are you in? I will be moving back to Georgetown in April.

Waco.