Need some benchmarks fellas

Share information about reloading the 204 Ruger.
statelinerut
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Posts: 25
Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:28 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: CCZ 527
Location: In the woods

Need some benchmarks fellas

Post by statelinerut »

I have just purchased a Lee Anniversary Kit and need some suggestions on which recipes have worked best with the 40gr vmax. I shoot a CZ 527 in 204. Any suggestions on which primer, powder, etc. would be greatly appreciated. I know every barrel shoots different, but some beginning points would be helpful.

Thanks,

Lee
acloco
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Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:53 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: 12FV, 12BVSS -S
Location: Nebraska

Re: Need some benchmarks fellas

Post by acloco »

I like Benchmark and H4895 with CCI 450 primers and Remington cases.

The Win cases suck...primer pockets are done after a couple firings.

....and I am NO where near max.
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futuretrades
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Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:16 am
.204 Ruger Guns: HOWA 1500 .204 Ruger Varmint, Bull Bbl, Lupy 6-18x40 custom

Re: Need some benchmarks fellas

Post by futuretrades »

i have found my howa 1500 likes benchmark at 27.2 grains loaded behind 32 gr. vmax bullets with wsr primers. i personally don't like ww brass, had too many problems with. now i only load remington new brass and will continue to use this brass for as long as i can.
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HOWA 1500 Varmint 204 Ruger, Bull Barrel, Hogue Overmold Stock, Leupold VXII 6-18x40mm AO LRV Custom Reticle Timney Trigger
Cooper Mdl 21 20VarTargW/Leupold VXIII, 6-20x40AO Varmint Hunter reticle.
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Silverfox
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.204 Ruger Guns: Savage 12VLP purchased in June 2004 + 2 other custom .204s
Location: NW North Dakota

Re: Need some benchmarks fellas

Post by Silverfox »

Check out the Hodgdon reloading data at this link:

http://www.rugerhunting.com/204_data.php

I have had good luck using H4895 with bullets in the 32 gr., 35 gr., 39 gr. and 40 gr. weight categories in my Savage 12VLP in .204 Ruger.

You might also try and use the Search function up on the top right-hand side of the Web page. Just type in "Benchmark" or the grain weight of the bullets you want to use and you'll come up with a whole bunch of hits to read. Then, you have to separate the wheat from the chaff and get out to the range and do your own testing because what works in someone else's rifle might not work worth beans in your rifle. It usually takes quite a bit of time at the range to develop a good load and only you can do that. Merry Christmas.
Catch ya L8R--Silverfox
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willyp19
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.204 Ruger Guns: REM 700 Custom Predator / Varmint, REM 700 VS
Location: Eastern Washington

Re: Need some benchmarks fellas

Post by willyp19 »

I am another one that would suggest H4895 with almost every 20 cal. out there. Of couse, I'd suggest trying REM 7 1/2 primers???? JMHO

Merry Christmas to all....
OldTurtle
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Posts: 398
Joined: Sat Jan 28, 2006 9:42 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage mod. 116 and Custom .204 AR
Location: East Central MO

Re: Need some benchmarks fellas

Post by OldTurtle »

I've tried a lot of combinations and found that my most consistent tight groups are from using Winchester-748, CCI Magnum primers, Winchester brass, and 39gr Sierra BlitzKing bullets seated at 2.240" COL.

Some of the powders I've tried: H-4895, IMR-3031, ReLoader 15, Ramshot X-Terminator, and the Win-748.

I've tried Hornady, Remington, and Winchester cases.

Used Winchester Small Rifle and CCI Magnum primers.

I load for two .204s, an AR and a Bolt Savage and want a load that works exceptionally well in both. The load combination above is what I've found that will produce .220" groups in both...
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AR
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Factory/Factory
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glenn asher
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.204 Ruger Guns: Savage 12fvss, CZ 527 American
Location: kentucky
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Re: Need some benchmarks fellas

Post by glenn asher »

H-335 and AA 2460 should also work with 40s, along with the now defunct :( 2230-C. IIRC, one of the best loads I've seen was a 40 over 26.XX H-335, it shot very nicely in a feller's Ruger V/T. My rifle choked on it, but his lapped it up. I was happy to shoot them up in his rifle :D and get my brass emptied.
Build a man a fire, and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life!
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