SmallCaliberCentral

I have been reloading for the 204 ruger for appx 2 years.
I have mostly tried BLC-2 & H4895 powders getting good groups.
It dawned on me today after cleaning the Rifle that the BLC-2 appears to be quite a bit dirtier than H4895.
What powders are you loading the 204 ruger with that you have found to be cleaner burning and provide excellent groups.

I asking this as I'm thinking if I should ever get the opportunity to go Prairie dog shooting I may want a cleaner burning powder than the BLC-2 that I am using for the 32 gr bullets.
I'm thinking a cleaner barrel will retain accuracy longer.

I am loading 32 gr Varmageddons, 32 grn V-max's, & 39 gr Sierra's.
I have used BLC-2 for the 32 gr Bullets and H4895 for the 39 gr bullets.

I don't have a lot of experience reloading with various powders and how clean they may burn.

Thanks

VihtaVuori is probably the cleanest.

I usually shoot Re-10x, and shot 100 loaded with N140/N150 to see how the powders did (long story short, about the same as RE-10x), and it took me only about half the cleaning time/passes to get the bore looking good.

My cleaning routine is two patches soaked in Hoppe's #9, then shoot the bore full of Wipe-Out foaming cleaner, let it sit for 30 minutes, two dry patches, and repeat until clean.

All of that being said, since it shoots no better than RE-10x for me, I don't plan on continuing to buy any more. I can just do a few extra cleaning passes, and put the saved money toward more ammo.

If you're shooting out of an AR15, then here's the easy way to clean: Before you leave the range, spray the BCG & inside of the upper receiver with whatever oil you want - Rem-Oil, CLP, motor oil, whatever. Take the rifle home that way, and put it in the safe. The next day, get it out, and everything will just wipe off of the BCG/upper/etc..

I shoot Benchmark powder with the 32 gr pills, One of the cleanest powders I have found. With the 39's, RE10x is my choice. I can go thru a lot of ammo in a day when shooting "skippy". For me, I am fortunate to live close enough to my shooting grounds, that I take my firearms home for a good and very thorough cleaning, after going thru a few hundred rounds with 2 or 3 rifles, in a day. Very easy to do, if "Skippy" cooperates. After I started using colloidal graphite to treat my barrels after cleaning, I did notice that it seemed a lot easier, and takes less time and effort, to get my barrels cleaned up to my satisfaction. Thank you, RIO, for that tip!

Benchmark and graphite here as well. I'm also finding success with H322 and 40 grain Noslers in a 9 twist barrel.

Every powder I've tried with the graphite relly helps a bunch. Thaks Rick

Finish off your barrel cleaning with the graphite treatment and you will find that your barrels will clean and shoot better than ever. Bill K

Back in the day I used W-748. Not the cleanest powder but after ten fouling shots the fouling seemingly leveled off and did not accumulate creating a consistent bore condition. I'd shoot these barrels all year in competition without cleaning, 500+ rounds. Also burns much cooler which is a plus.
Benchmark is probably the cleanest I know. Worked very well at lower velocities and 40 gn bullets. No specific cleaning requirements either.

I found POI changes were common starting with a clean bore so I searched high and low for a powder that didn't require frequent cleanings. Cleaner is not always better as copper may start. Only one way to find out tho.

My favorite powder for the 204 is CFE223, and It seems to burn pretty clean. 27.9 grains gives me excellent and consistent accuracy. I've also had very good results with Benchmark.