SmallCaliberCentral

Pretty much new to the 204 ruger also, but expanding my collection rapidly. I picked up an SPS rem 26" stainless fluted varmint, put a shim under the front action screw to reduce forend pressure ( has worked before to get an idea of freefloating) and loaded 34 grain dogtowns , 39 Blitzkings and with the crappy breaking rem trigger at ~ 2.5# got all 4 groups under or right at an inch, and the holes that opened up 3 or 4 holes above 1/2" were called "poor breaks) so I feel it will be more likely a 1/2" gun with the new Jewell trigger.


I have coming a VLS 204, and also a DPMS upper in 204. Addressing the DPMS, their website says "designed for sub 35 gn", but the seller says it does well with 40 gn Bergers.


Anyone have a DPMS ( sst fluted 24") upper verify this, and /or suggest a bullet to try?

I have been reloading for rifle and pistols for 35 years, but always learning something from everyone....

Redding 2 die set w/ lee neck sizer, but haven't reloaded anything but new brass so far. BTW, I have a boatload of H335, and hope to burn it up before switching to maybe 10x. I also reload for a 221 FB, so shared powder is good also, but it likes H335, 40 BT's into 1/2" or less, in a CZ that I had to pillar bed to shoot under 2"....


Thanks for any help


Allen

I've loaded for a 24" DPMS-barrelled parts gun for a couple of years. Mine likes the 39 gr. Sierra BlitzKings the best, with the Nosler 32 grain Ballistic Tips a close second. With the 39 BK shooting so well I haven't tried the 40 grainers. Nor have I tried the 35 gr. Bergers in the AR, probably because they found their niche in my bolt 204's and because I feel more comfortable feeding the plastic-tip bullets through an AR's magazine.

Thanks

Interesting on the feeding, I had not thought of that.


Any loads the sierra 39's your DPMS liked you can share?


I was thinking of trying some rel 10x also.

Thanks

Allen

I've settled on 27.0 grains of H4895. While less than max in my gun, that's my barrel's sweet spot for the 39 gr. BK. I haven't tried 10x.

I found that GI 20 round mags are nearly perfect for a 204 AR. They are the best compromise between capacity and shootability off a rest or prone and they offer nearly the longest cartridge over-all length capacity. The most generous is an HK 20 rounder, but I don't see them offered for sale any more--only the 30 rounders. The popular Mag-Pul P-mag, great for 5.56 GI ball, is way too short for long loading. I like to load my AR 204's as long as physically possible, with just a tiny bit of clearance, as my barrel seems to prefer it that way. It is my belief that the tip of the plastic-tipped bullets offer less resistance than a lead or hollow-point bullet if they come in contact with the inside front of the mag during shooting. I have not experienced any magazine related hang-ups after a several thousand rounds.

This is what works for me. I'd be interested to hear what works for you.