SmallCaliberCentral

Hey all. New to the form and new to reloading the .204, but have been reloading for years.

So my question is.. has anyone ever tried RL7 in the .204.. The rifle is a CZ527 Varmint.. 1-12 twist i believe with a Nikon Prostaff 5 3.5-12x50.

My current load is a 40gr Vmax with a stiff load of Varget getting 3780fps and about 1/4" groups.. Hornady Brass and a CCI BR4 primer.
I did try a load with RL10x and got better velocity and 1/2" groups.. 3890fps.. That will be the main coyote load.

For 32gr Sierra Blitz kings im using H322 getting 3900fps.. So would RL7 bring them up to 4000-4100 where they belong or am i expecting to much outta the little 204. Also would RL7 work in 40gr bullets.... If so what are your RL7 loads..... and would i benifit from a 450 mag primer.

Thanks again.
Josh..

Ohh and i have tried H4895... not much success. thank

If you look at all the reloading manuals, you'll not find ANY loads using RL-7.

Reason?: It is not in the optimum burning rate for the 204 case, being much better suited to the 221 Fireball volume case. It is much too fast a powder for the much larger volume 204 case. I use it in my 221FB and my 20VT with excellent results. I'd suggest using powders listed in the manuals for the 204. They're there for a good reason; they are optimum for the 204 case and appropriate bullet weights.

I'd suggest not getting too creative with fast powders in a high-intensity round like the 204. 'Jus sayin'........

thanks Rick.. im just having trouble finding RL7 in any manual lol no matter the Caliber.. But it work very very well in my .222... Sitting on 5 pounds of it so thought i would ask...
How are my velocities??? around normal?? i tend not to believe manuals for velocity as I have run into more times then not to get more or less velocity then published.

Thanks again
Josh

ackertjosh wrote:How are my velocities??? around normal?? i tend not to believe manuals for velocity as I have run into more times then not to get more or less velocity then published.

Your velocity's sound about right for my 204 loads, checked with my crony. As for manuals listings for velocity's, take them with a grain of salt. All the testing done for the manuals on the market are done in ideal conditions. Chances are you will not meet these velocity's. I suggest working up your loads for accuracy, rather than worrying about how fast your loads are shooting. In my Howa, my reloads with the 32 grn pills run right at 3900 fps, and my loads with the 39 grn SBK's run right at 3700 fps, or just a tad faster. Both of these loads give me groups under 1/2 in moa at 100 yards.
I have to agree with RIO on the RL7!

Thanks!!!
I will definitely keep the RL7 for the .222 if or when i ever get one again.
Thanks again for velocity update as im new to the .204. I really love the .204. What an excellent little round.. im thinking i might get a custom build one day with a 1-8 twist so i can shoot the 45-50gr bullets i have seen.
As for my groups i can get 3 shot cloverleaf with 40gr v max ontop of varget(forget the exact grains of powder) and RL10x is not far behind in accuracy with a boost in 100fps. Dad will be using it for coyotes.. last year he got 16 with the gun after we sold his 22-250(burnt barrel) He did get a couple with the 32gr bullets but out past 250 they just didnt hit hard enough, so ive been really working on getting the 40's to group... finally and now they group but was thinking i should be getting around 3900fps with a 40 and 41-4200 with a 32.

Thanks again!!! its much apprechated
Josh

Get a 20 Vartarg and your 204 will move to 2nd place!

I actually get faster velocities out of my old Tactical 20 than my new RA Predator in
.204 with the same loads.....disappointing. Hornady says that ain't supposed to happen.

The Tac 20 barrel is Shilen mounted to an Encore, but wanted a repeater. Silly me.

Bodei wrote:Get a 20 Vartarg and your 204 will move to 2nd place!

Ain't that the truth!

I stick with 10 x and 8209 xbr. Period, with exception of 50 grain Bergers

Bodei wrote:Get a 20 Vartarg and your 204 will move to 2nd place!

For sure, then you would have a place too use that RL 7. And yes your 204 just may move to 2nd place, I bet. Bill K