H322 OR H335 for .204?

[p5200]

Which seems to be the most accurate (on average) for most of you? I plan to get a pound to try on berger 35gr. and 40gr. also, I have Sierra 39gr. BKs and 40gr. V-Max. I care about accuracy mostly for punching paper. The rifle is a CZ 527 Varmint .204 in Kevlar. Thanks for all help picking one of the two powders.

[Rick in Oregon]

p5200: I use both powders, but not in my 204's. Although Cooper Firearms of Montana tests all their 223 and 204 caliber rifles using handloads with H335 if that tells you anything. The factory group is always one hole.......

I use H335 primarily in my 223's, have used it in one of my 204's with very good results with the Nosler 32gr BT (RL-10X & Benchmark best, at least for my rifles). Although I use H322 in both a 17 Mach IV and a 20 Vartarg.....a smaller case.

H322 will work in the 204, it's just a tad fast for the best results in the much larger case of the 204 compared to the Fireball case it works so well in. Although even the Sierra manual suggests it as ideal for the 204. That's just not been the experience of most 204 shooters now that it's more than five years old. (The manual was written soon after the 204 was introduced). I'd lay in a supply of H335 for the project. The great thing about that powder is it meters like water thorough my Redding BR-3 powder measure, and I can charge 100 cases in about ten minutes and be within .05 grain in terms of accuracy......great for upcoming ground squirrel of PD shoots.

If you just want to punch paper, then I'd recommend trying both RL-10X and Benchmark, the two proven winners in the 204 Ruger (or H4895 just for the 39/40's). But we all know that you'll never know what works best in your rifle unless you try them both...... JMO

[Fred_C_Dobbs]

For 32-gr Noslers, I've had very good results with BL-C(2) and excellent with RL-10X.

[788k]

I have a CZ American. My best results are with 32s using H335 and Benchmark. I don't have much luck with 35s or 39s.

[p5200]

I have some BenchMark I've had pretty fair luck with the Sierra 39gr. BKs. I've also tried 35gr. Bergers but the groups aren't quite as good. I think I'll get a pound of H335 and also, some 32gr. bullets. Was that Nosler 32gr. I've already forgotten. Thanks. Also, I have some Varget I've been using for my Savage 10fp in .223.

[p5200]

I have a CZ American. My best results are with 32s using H335 and Benchmark. I don't have much luck with 35s or 39s.

Does the American barrel have the 1:12" twist like my Varmint? Thanks!

[Jim White]

I have a CZ American. My best results are with 32s using H335 and Benchmark. I don't have much luck with 35s or 39s.

Does the American barrel have the 1:12" twist like my Varmint? Thanks!

I think they are, mine has a 1-12. For powders I've had good luck with RL-15 & H4895. I like the results of Benchmark and RL-10x although I haven't done much with it in the field.

HTH,

[FireBallGuy]

They are both JUNK in my remington VSF in 204.

[p5200]

They are both JUNK in my remington VSF in 204.

What does your Remington seem to like the best?

[FireBallGuy]

1st choice is RL-10X and second and last choice is Benchmark. Is a 1/4" gun with either powder and sierra 39 grainers.

[Dr Pepper]

In my CZ 527 Varmint 28gr of Varget works very well with the 39gr Sierra bullets. Dr P

[pipedoctor]

I have excellent results using 322 in the 204. Usually around .375 or so, out of an AR15, 32 grain V-Max, with 26.3 grains of powder. I also use it in my 22-250, with Sierra 53 grain HP's. Have used it for at least 25 years now. Started using it in the 7mm TCU, and have never stopped using it. I had more problems with the 335 powder, it just was not consistent enough. If I remember right, the 322 powder started off as a military surplus powder, and was adopted by the bench rest folks. I used to get it from a range that had several 55 gallon drums of it. A lot of powder out there. and it can get real expensive trying it all. Just look at all the different loads listed on this site alone. It all works good, one combination or another. I have found that case preparation is a huge part of an accurate load. turning case necks, reaming flash holes, and trimming brass is not a lot of fun, but it pays off big in the long run. The main thing is, shoot and have a good time. And by all means, share it with a young fella or two, we need all the help we can get. And a real nice thing about 322 powder, it is from the Extreme lineup. It is not heat sensitive. So, what you load when it is cool, works the same downing those prairie dogs!
Wayne