Loading the .204 down to Hornet speeds
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homefront
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- .204 Ruger Guns: CZ 527
- Location: Eastern Pennsylvania
Loading the .204 down to Hornet speeds
Why? Because I was originally looking for a Hornet or K-Hornet, to have an efficient and fairly quiet varmint/target round. Now that I've looked into, and am interested in, the .204, I'm wondering if I can load it down to around 2,400 fps, so I don't have to have the noise if I don't always want it. Has anyone tried this? Will slowing it down hurt its accuracy?
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skipper
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- .204 Ruger Guns: Remington XR 100, Custom build Lilja/Panda/Shehane/Jewell
- Location: Cypress, TX
Re: Loading the .204 down to Hornet speeds
This isn't the first time this subject has come up on this forum. PERSONALLY, I think you could be setting yourself up for a detonation event. Bad things can happen with reduced loads of slow burning powders. I wouldn't try what you are thinking of. I would rather just be safe and buy a Hornet.
The 204 Ruger can easily be loaded to 4000+ fps with powders that only fill the case to about 90% volume for 35 gr. and lighter bullets. Accuracy seems to be the best closer to the maximum charge weight with most powders I've tried. RE-10X, H4895, H335, H322, Varget, Benchmark, VV N133 all performed best near the maximum charge. I can't even speculate what a 204 Ruger would do at 2400 fps. It sure wouldn't be the flat shooting, splatter machine it is at 4000 fps.
The 204 Ruger can easily be loaded to 4000+ fps with powders that only fill the case to about 90% volume for 35 gr. and lighter bullets. Accuracy seems to be the best closer to the maximum charge weight with most powders I've tried. RE-10X, H4895, H335, H322, Varget, Benchmark, VV N133 all performed best near the maximum charge. I can't even speculate what a 204 Ruger would do at 2400 fps. It sure wouldn't be the flat shooting, splatter machine it is at 4000 fps.
Hold 'em & Squeeze 'em-
homefront
- New Member
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:04 pm
- .204 Ruger Guns: CZ 527
- Location: Eastern Pennsylvania
Re: Loading the .204 down to Hornet speeds
Thanks, that's what I suspected.
I got what I think is a great deal on a used 527 (looks new), $375, with rings, in .204.
It's not my last "end-all-to be-all" rifle, so down the line I could always get a Hornet.
The .204 sounds like a really fun cartridge. I'm mainly a levergun and SA shooter. I cast my bullets and load for everything I shoot, except .22LR. The idea of extremely tiny groups at 200 yards is intriguing, especially with next to no recoil. I guess my next step is brass and bullets, and some Redding dies. I have 1680, 2015, 2023, 4895, 4350, 4198, Rel. 7, and others to try. All I'm lacking is 10x, which I'll hold off on until I work through the others.
I got what I think is a great deal on a used 527 (looks new), $375, with rings, in .204.
It's not my last "end-all-to be-all" rifle, so down the line I could always get a Hornet.
The .204 sounds like a really fun cartridge. I'm mainly a levergun and SA shooter. I cast my bullets and load for everything I shoot, except .22LR. The idea of extremely tiny groups at 200 yards is intriguing, especially with next to no recoil. I guess my next step is brass and bullets, and some Redding dies. I have 1680, 2015, 2023, 4895, 4350, 4198, Rel. 7, and others to try. All I'm lacking is 10x, which I'll hold off on until I work through the others.