That's a great group in anyone's book. Now if you tweak one thing at a time, say like seating depth, you may experience even better accuracy, although what you're showing is most excellent right now. If you left it alone and did nothing else, you've still got an excellent shooting load in that rifle.
Keep us posted, 'inquiring minds........'
Semper Fortis
Rick in Oregon
NRA Life/OHA/VHA/VVA
Oregon, East of the Cascades - Where Common Sense Still Prevails
I left out that I tried Vihta Vuori N130 and some Pro Varmint too. They both showed some promise, but not like the CFE 223 powder. I will try some different bullet depths
I don't own a sled, so my groups are also limited by my ability to shoot from the bench which I have done for well over 50 years and developed a pretty good shooting technique. I've changed the scope since I took this photo as I was having some parallax issues with the one in this photo.
This rifle will definitely be with me on all of my range trips. I have a 308 I am also developing some loads for and am picking up a 6.5 Grendel in the next couple of weeks that will take up some of my time.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Attachments
204 Ruger Range.jpg (160.85 KiB) Viewed 3630 times
Just joined the group.Good day all.
I have been scouring thru the forum and just went thru this thread hoping and looking for some opinions and load data to start with for x terminator powder and a 35 grain Berger fbhp bullet with no luck.If anyone on here wants to chime in it would be met with appreciation.Thanks.
Almost forgot,It is for a 24 in. heavy barrel ar. .204 Ruger
Welcome aboard first. Check out Hornadys load data site for loading info. And Western Powder site for info on Xterminator powder and it's use in various cartridges. Some of your own loading manuals should have load info also.
You can also check out the load info on the 204 R on the header at the top of the main page on site.
Hey all, well my go to Powder was H4895 with a 39BK. shot 5 in 3/4" all day long and averaged 3980fps. I didnt try to get any better as it killed every coyote I launch one at, so never found reason to change lol. For accuracy it was H322 with a 32gr Sierra. Now with the current shortage my supply is getting thinner on hand and on the hunt for a new combination. I feel I should not have to give up a body part to afford a box of sierras(once you find them) now $50/box( 35gr Bergers are no better) I was able to get my hands on 2 boxes of 39gr Speer TNT for $17/box.. they shot well with Varget but im not a fan of modest 3770fps for hunting or feeding varget threw my funnel and prefer to stay in the 3850 and up range for hunting loads. I have came across some N530 in a 1KG pack and shows load data with the 40Vmax in access of 4000fps... has anyone ever tried N530 in a 204 with 39gr bullets. I may order some anyways and give it a go but 1KG is alot to sit on if its NFG lol. Thanks for any input
Bill K wrote: ↑Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:20 am
Two other powders for the 204R are CFE223 and R10x. Good accuracy and fps in upwards of max loads.
I was wanting to try CFE223 as well but with this shortage i cannot find any in stock(things are getting hard to find in my location)... and when they are I'm not spending over $60/lb before shipping. RL10X worked well in the past for me but found my loads in summer were blowing out primers randomly so once that pound was used up i moved on. Unfortunately the loads i have worked up i cannot find supplies for lol. i may end up trying these 39gr TNT with the VV N530. I'm ordering some N550 for the 243, 7-08 and 7x64 to try as well so midas well. i don't really shoot for tiny groups anymore, as long as i can get the coyotes or crows I'm happy.
Your load with the 10x was too warm when temps went up, from what you worked it up in. Back off that load by at least 5/10th and see if it does not work, with the same accuracy, when temps warm, like you found in summer.
Bill K wrote: ↑Thu Feb 03, 2022 2:47 pm
Your load with the 10x was too warm when temps went up, from what you worked it up in. Back off that load by at least 5/10th and see if it does not work, with the same accuracy, when temps warm, like you found in summer.
Just looking at my notes now: Rifle is a CZ527 Varmint. Load was Hornady Brass, 39BK/40gr vmax, 25 gr RL10x, CCI BR4 primer. COAL 2.30.. .58" 5 shot 100 yard group averaged a questionable 3860fps. I say questionable as that crony was on its way out and not long after these reading my .222 was shooting 55gr sierras at 7000fps so im not to sure how accurate that average is. IF i ever run into 10x again I will back off .2-.5gr and see how it preforms.
Thanks for the info and once i get this N530 I will post my results may even try it with RL15, friend just told me he has some i can have.... just wish I had other bullets to try.... I really want to try the 35gr bergers but for the price I can get 2.5 boxes of the speers vs 1 berger, and im pretty sure the coyotes or paper wont know the difference lol,,
ackertjosh wrote: ↑Thu Feb 03, 2022 3:14 pm
Just looking at my notes now: Rifle is a CZ527 Varmint. Load was Hornady Brass, 39BK/40gr vmax, 25 gr RL10x, CCI BR4 primer. COAL 2.30.. .58" 5 shot 100 yard group averaged a questionable 3860fps. I say questionable as that crony was on its way out and not long after these reading my .222 was shooting 55gr sierras at 7000fps so im not to sure how accurate that average is. IF i ever run into 10x again I will back off .2-.5gr and see how it preforms.
Thanks
I'm liking that 7,000 fps 222 velocity!
Chronographs are funny things aren't they? BTW, I too have a CZ 527 in 204 Ruger, and gosh, it's proven to be a great rifle over the years.
I enjoy the CZ 527's. Sure wish they would keep making them. I have two now (American model, one in 17 FB and one in 204R, both shoot very well.
Have my gunsmith rebarreling another one into 6 ARC, which will be a nice walk about deer/bear rifle and on varmints as well.
Another vote for the CZ 527 American. Mine in 221FB shoots much better than it should with the sporter-weight barrel, almost as good as a dedicated HB varmint rifle. It loves the 40gr Nosler VG and A2200, shoots under .4 all day.
Semper Fortis
Rick in Oregon
NRA Life/OHA/VHA/VVA
Oregon, East of the Cascades - Where Common Sense Still Prevails
The C 527 American is just one fine handling and packing rifle. They look good and shoot good. I did obtain a Bob's Sled for single shot loading, off the bench/hood and it does seem to feed rounds smoother than out of the magazine. But for a walk about and repeat shots at such things as rabbits/coyotes I load the standard magazine.
so im not to sure how accurate that average is. IF i ever run into 10x again I will back off .2-.5gr and see how it preforms. 
