New to forum and 204

[txduckhunter]

Hi all, I am new to the forum and to the 204. I decided on a 204 because I have shot the 17hmr for a long time and once I saw the laser like trajectory of the 204 I had to have one.

I went with a Howa 1500 supreme varminter, thumbhole stock and heavy barrel. Added a Nikon Prostaff.

So far I have only tried shooting the 40grain V maxes out of it and have not grouped them better than 1.5-2" at 100. Anybody with my same setup have trouble with these heavy bullets? I am going to pick up a few boxes of the 32 grain V Max bullets this afternoon and see if that helps. If not I am going to start reloading I suppose

I would love to hear from any of y'all that have my same set up.

I usually hunt coyotes/ varmints and I am located in Central TX. Here is some pics of the rifle and the dog I got yesterday. Shot this one at about 320 yards. The wind pushed the bullet more than I thought second shot was in the neck!

Edit: How do I attach images?

[savageboy23]

Edit: How do I attach images?[/quote]
There is a sticky at the top of the page. You will need to have a photobucket account.

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new rifle. I personally cannot help you with the Howa grouping. My Savage model 11 loves the 32gr V-max factory load. I'm still developing my hand load. I also have a Remington 700 SPS Varmit that I just picked up. Each rifle and barrel are going to give a different result. Sorry if I wasn't much help. There is a lot of knowledgable people on this site and they will help get you going in the right direction.

[Great White North]

How to attach images: http://www.204ruger.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3805

I picked up some Hornady 45gr and they group not bad on my rifle. Thats what I got to use until I got reloading equipment. Now I load 39gr and 35gr. They shoot really well out of my rifle. A lot of guys say the 40gr's don't group well out of their rifles. I haven't tried them yet so I can't comment.

[futuretrades]

I bought my Howa 1500 Varminter, with the Hogue overmold stock, 6 or 7 yrs ago. I don't have any experience with factory loads in this rifle, because I have never shot a factory load thru her. I have only shot my reloads thru it. As for the 40gr Vmax reloads, the only load I have found is with H4895 powder. Prints around 1/2 moa at 100yds. This is my backup load just in case I can't find the powder and bullets that she prefers. My 1500 likes 32gr Vmax, and Benchmark powder, seated around .125 off the lands. But my preferred load is with RE10x with a 39gr SBK ,seated as far out as I dare go. I have shot groups around 3/8 in, at 100 yards, with this load. Also I only shoot off a bench, so with this load, I cannot use the mag. Makes no difference for me tho, as I only shoot single shot. Lots of time for a second, third or even a fourth shot if needed.
If you decide to reload, and need to use the mag, your seating depth will be limited to the length of the magazine. HTH

[wirelessguy2005]

First off welcome to the forum! You made a good choice going with the 204 Ruger and an equally good choice picking up the Howa varminter supreme. I have owned 3 of the Howa 204 rifles and enjoyed every one of them. I put the Howa rifles right up there with the CZ 527 as far as quality goes. I mostly used the 32 grain bullets in mine, on occasion I would use the 39 sierra blitzking. If you want to use a heavier bullet I would highly recommend the 39 Sierra over the 40 vmax. The Sierra is just a little shorter in oal and typically stabilizes a bit better than the vmax. That being said I would also recommend the Nosler Varmageddon 32 grain bullets, accuracy and quality level on par with the Sierra bullet and at a budget price of around $14 a box.

Brad

[Bodei]

My Howa loved the Fiocchi 40 grain Vmax factory loads. I'm working up some handloads with the Vmax for rock chucks.

[txduckhunter]

Here is some pics of the gun and some of the fun I had with it this weekend!



http://s1120.beta.photobucket.com/user/ ... 1.jpg.html

[txduckhunter]

I cannot get the thing to let me add my images. But you can see it if you click the link.

[Great White North]

Here you go:

[txduckhunter]

Thanks Sir!

[shaman]

Welcome DUck hunter, what part of Centex are you in? I will be moving back to Georgetown in April.

[txduckhunter]

Waco.