SmallCaliberCentral

I just got my dies and am now ready to reload for the 204.

I own a Ruger M77 ultralight with a 20" barrel. What powders would get me the best velocities and results from the short barrel?

The accuracy from the Hornady factory loads has been good, but my chronograph shows variations in velocities of 160 fps from shot to shot. I KNOW I can do better, as my 30-06 handloads rarely vary more than 15 fps.

I bought a box of Sierra 39 grain bullets to start with - I chose them because the ballistic coefficient is listed as the highest.

I was thinking of starting with IMR 4895, as most data tables show this as a suitable powder.

Any experiences/advice with loads for shorter barrels would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Tkeveney

Welcome to the forum!!!

Based on my experience, I'd suggest that Reloader 10X is a great powder, esp for the 39gr Sierra.

Also, the relatively new IMR8208 has given great results for me, particularly with the 32gr bullets. I haven't had an opportunity to chrono the 8208, but I'd guess that the speed is more than fast enough to get the job done.

I and others here have also been successful with H4895, Benchmark, Varget, W748, AA2015, N133....there are many good choices....

Good luck, and enjoy!!!

George

Excellent choice of bullet! I shoot 27.8 of H4895 with my 39 SBKs and have good results. I'm shooting an AR-15 with a 24" bull barrel and I'm getting 3700 fps grouping at .397 in.

Thanks for the tips. I have some W 748 powder from previous reloading. Any suggestions for pet loads for this powder?

That is just the powder I have been testing in my 204. I have a Ruger M77 Hawkeye with a 24" barrel, and 1 in 12 twist. I haven't tested the 39 gr. BK's as of yet, but have done 32 vmax's and 32 nosler bt's.

32 gr Nosler Bt's
28.9 gr. W748
Winchester Primers
Hornady Brass
COAL 2.230 +/- .002
Groups at .45 in

32 gr. Hornady V max's
27.6 gr. W748
Winchester Primers
Hornady Brass
COAL 2.255 +/- .002
Groups at .6 in

Here's a link to when I asked the same question about W748 on this forum
http://www.204ruger.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=8387
Hope some of this info helps.
I didn't get any velocities as i don't own a chrono, but it is something I will soon be investing in.

Have shot some W748 with 40 vmax. Averaged about 3,675 fps and shot about .6 moa using 27.9g and Rem 7.5 BR primer. Sorry haven't shot the 39 bk with W748, but I would expect it to shoot about .3-.4 moa and around 3,650 with this load in my Savage with 22" barrel.

ryutzy wrote:Excellent choice of bullet! I shoot 27.8 of H4895 with my 39 SBKs and have good results. I'm shooting an AR-15 with a 24" bull barrel and I'm getting 3700 fps grouping at .397 in.

Good info, I'll be loading for an AR heavy barrel in 204, will have to give that load a try.

Tom

Please start low and work up to it as it's a fairly stout load.

Yea, that's a given working with the gas gun, can't push loads as hard as a bolt action.