which powder

Share information about reloading the 204 Ruger.
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247sniper
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.204 Ruger Guns: Custom .204 Ruger !

which powder

Post by 247sniper »

Hi guys, im going to reload for my new .204 when i arrives. Question is....cause I live on a Island its hard to get reloading stuff over here, so

If you had to choose one type of powder and basicly stick to it, what sums up best when accuracy, concistencey are basicly what I would be looking for?

I will most likely be using 39 SBK's or 40 grain V-Max's ( 1/11 twist barrel)

Any advise would be great guys

Cheers

Steve.
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wirelessguy2005
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.204 Ruger Guns: Custom 20 SCC, Savage LRPV 20 Nitro , Howa 1500 204 Ruger
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Re: which powder

Post by wirelessguy2005 »

with the 39 and 40 grain bullets you will get the best results from H4895, Reloader 10x, or IMR 8208 xbr. Good luck and let us know what you decide on.
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futuretrades
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.204 Ruger Guns: HOWA 1500 .204 Ruger Varmint, Bull Bbl, Lupy 6-18x40 custom

Re: which powder

Post by futuretrades »

wirelessguy2005 wrote:with the 39 and 40 grain bullets you will get the best results from H4895, Reloader 10x, or IMR 8208 xbr.
As for the above powders, I do have a bit of experience with H4895 and RE10x. My pet loads are 39gr SBK's and RE10x, and for the 40gr bullets I have found a load with 40gr Vmax and H4895. My rifle is a 1-12 twist though, and I personally don't have any experience with IMR8208xbr. There are some shooters here using it and getting great results. I would not hesitate to listen to wirelessguy. He is a valuable member here, and I don't think he would steer you wrong.
Just my .02 cents.
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HOWA 1500 Varmint 204 Ruger, Bull Barrel, Hogue Overmold Stock, Leupold VXII 6-18x40mm AO LRV Custom Reticle Timney Trigger
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CV32
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Re: which powder

Post by CV32 »

H4895 has always been my "go to" powder for the 204. That said, I have also had success with Reloader 10X, W748, IMR 4895, and probably a couple of others I am forgetting. My latest experiments have been with XBR 8208, and they look very promising.
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Hedge
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.204 Ruger Guns: Savage model 12 FLV
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Re: which powder

Post by Hedge »

I've been using H4895, H335 (very accurate but too temp. sensitive), 8208 XBR and just started some tests with Varget.

The 8208 is a sweet powder, giving me excellent results from 26gr. Barnes, 32 gr. Vmax and 40 gr. Vmax. Meters well and doesn't know a hot day from a cold one.

But, always one to experiment, I'm working on some Varget/40 gr Vmax loads. So far, even with a load range from 26.3 gr. to 26.9 gr. my groups run from .3 to .5 and back to .3 . A little tweaking on seating depth is the next step to finding that bug hole shooting load.
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Valar
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.204 Ruger Guns: AR-15

Re: which powder

Post by Valar »

10x for me and imr 4895 wich is so so similar to h4895 as Hogdon bought out IMR
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bow shot
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Re: which powder

Post by bow shot »

It seems I'm the only one that likes Benchmark...

Its easy for me to get 0.5" with just about any bullet (40 Berger, 32 and 40 VMax, and 32 and 39 SBK) in my Savage w/ 1:12 26" barrel. I can print 0.3s with the Benchmark if I'm shooting well.

My AR (1:12, 24" barrel) was just as easy to get 0.5's out of also.
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kyyotestalker
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.204 Ruger Guns: remington 700 sps varmint
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Re: which powder

Post by kyyotestalker »

benchmark powder would be my powder of choice if i could only have one for 204 and even 223!
Where did that hit? I dont know aim alittle higher!
btlbrn
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Re: which powder

Post by btlbrn »

bow shot wrote:It seems I'm the only one that likes Benchmark...

Its easy for me to get 0.5" with just about any bullet (40 Berger, 32 and 40 VMax, and 32 and 39 SBK) in my Savage w/ 1:12 26" barrel. I can print 0.3s with the Benchmark if I'm shooting well.

My AR (1:12, 24" barrel) was just as easy to get 0.5's out of also.
+1 for Benchmark.......Simply awesome for my xr-100 and 32 sbk's 0.3s if I do my part! :D
shooting fishing camping did I mention shooting??
Steve
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Joe O
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Re: which powder

Post by Joe O »

What Island? I would go to IMR 8208 XBR and not look back.No temperature problems (pressure),at all.Pours great,and burns clean.
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247sniper
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Re: which powder

Post by 247sniper »

Thanks for all your helps and advise guys. Yes I live in the Isle Of Man, getting reloading stuff over here is a complete pain in the ......

Will have to sum up all your advise, have a think and make a dessicion. :wall:

Thanks again fellas


Steve.
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Arizona Hunter
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Re: which powder

Post by Arizona Hunter »

Lots of fine powders, but for the 40 V-Max I get real fine groups with 26.8 gr of RL 15.
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futuretrades
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.204 Ruger Guns: HOWA 1500 .204 Ruger Varmint, Bull Bbl, Lupy 6-18x40 custom

Re: which powder

Post by futuretrades »

bow shot wrote:It seems I'm the only one that likes Benchmark...
In my previous post, I did forget that my pet load for the 32gr, Vmax is Benchmark.
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boomer68
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Re: which powder

Post by boomer68 »

What would be a good powder to try with the lighter bullets? (26gr-32gr)
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Hedge
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Re: which powder

Post by Hedge »

Boomer68,

I use IMR 8208 XBR, Win cases and Rem 7 1/2 BR with 26 gr. Barnes.

Groups run in the .200". Best one was .183 CTC with an avg to center of .088"
Savage 12 FCV .204 Ruger
Viper PST FFP 4-16x50

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"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity" Sigmund Freud.
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