lets talk powder.....

Share information about reloading the .204 Ruger.
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brooksb
Senior Member
Posts: 181
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2016 3:34 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Ruger M12 FV
Location: up date, we sold in Ca, we are house hunting.

Re: lets talk powder.....

Post by brooksb »

Hello guys, as I posted I went once had a good Shoot, bro and friends want last Sat and had an ok one. I have contacted another rancher who claims to have Boone & Crockett sized squeaks and spot for my trailer, but with WX haven't made it there yet. Hoping there will be a WX break before the round up for a scout.
randyman
Senior Member
Posts: 228
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2016 1:04 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: .204 on AR platform, .20 Vartarg built from Rem. 700 SA
Location: Butte and Lassen counties in Northern Calif.

Re: lets talk powder.....

Post by randyman »

Let me know when you go and I'll carry your guns for you! Randy.
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BitterClinger
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Posts: 30
Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2018 8:36 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage M12 LRPV

Re: lets talk powder.....

Post by BitterClinger »

I noticed no one posted anything about IMR 4166. Is anyone using it in the 204 and if so what were the results? I just picked up a lb of it yesterday , but havn't tried it out yet.
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2622
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: lets talk powder.....

Post by Bill K »

Trying some at the present time. Looks promising, however so far 4198 is still leading the way. But the 4166 will be given some more testing and chrony sessions, before I make a final judgement. Bill K
Guy M
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Posts: 409
Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2007 11:58 am
Location: Washington state

Re: lets talk powder.....

Post by Guy M »

Good discussion guys. Thank you!

All I've ever used in my 204 is BL-C(2) with 35 & 40 gr bullets. It did real well, but I'm out of it now.

From what I'm reading, I think I'll give that CFE223 a try... Seems like it might be a real good powder for the 204 Ruger.

Regards, Guy
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2622
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: lets talk powder.....

Post by Bill K »

All well and good, for now. But be aware that the OVERMAX load you are shooting, could prove dangerous when the temp goes higher than what you worked and shot it at. So be very careful, caution and make sure, first and foremost be safe and sane. Bill K
truckerwalt
Junior Member
Posts: 88
Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:59 am
.204 Ruger Guns: RUGER MK II/SAVAGE MOD. 12

Re: lets talk powder.....

Post by truckerwalt »

i get my best results with H-322 powder using 39 grain Sierra, h-4198 shoots very well also. i also use re-10X and ar comp by alliant powder. i have recently read that varget with 28 grains was good. i tried 27.9 and 28.0 and 28.1 . the 28.1 shot best in my .204 model 12 savage. there are lots of good powders that work great. on the H-322 try 25 grains and 39 grain sierra's
truckerwalt
Junior Member
Posts: 88
Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:59 am
.204 Ruger Guns: RUGER MK II/SAVAGE MOD. 12

Re: lets talk powder.....

Post by truckerwalt »

my model 12 savage likes 25 grains H-332 with 39 grain sierras, rem. 7.5 primers.
hoppy
New Member
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2018 9:25 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: sako varmint

Re: lets talk powder.....

Post by hoppy »

I'm using 2206H with 39 bk's and Rem 7.5 in Nosler and Hornady cases - ADI 2206H is an Australian manufactured powder equivalent to 4895 - still trying different loads but have a good sweet spot at present with 26.8 gn

Hoppy
K204
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Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 1:39 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Kimber

Re: lets talk powder.....

Post by K204 »

Haven't been on here in awhile, in fact it has been so long I couldn't sign in with my old log in name, I guess because my email address changed. If I knew how to change the email address and use my former log in name it would sure be a bonus for me.
Anyway, I see many loads listed with some of the newer powder and was wondering about the velocity you all were getting. I'm still using IMR8208, Hornady brass, Rem. 7 1/2 primers, and 37gr. bullets. My Kimber just loves them and the Coyotes hate them.
If any of you were to suggest a powder for 35 to 40gr. bullets, which powder would you suggest?
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2622
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: lets talk powder.....

Post by Bill K »

You will find that there are more than a few, that some of us use, and they will be chiming in. I have been having good success with CFE 223 & Xterminator. But why not try your 8208 if you have not and see if it continues to work well in your rifle ? Bill K :)
K204
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Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 1:39 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Kimber

Re: lets talk powder.....

Post by K204 »

Bill K wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2019 6:14 am You will find that there are more than a few, that some of us use, and they will be chiming in. I have been having good success with CFE 223 & Xterminator. But why not try your 8208 if you have not and see if it continues to work well in your rifle ? Bill K :)

I have another Kimber in 204 coming, should be here today, that I'll be working loads up for. 8208 will be what I try first, then some H4895, but just because I can :D I thought maybe I should try one of the powders I hear you fella's talking about.

On a side note: who do I talk to see about changing my forum name back to the original name of K22?
skipper
Moderator
Posts: 1618
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:32 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Remington XR 100, Custom build Lilja/Panda/Shehane/Jewell
Location: Cypress, TX

Re: lets talk powder.....

Post by skipper »

K204 wrote: Fri Apr 12, 2019 4:37 am On a side note: who do I talk to see about changing my forum name back to the original name of K22?
I sent you a PM.
Image Hold 'em & Squeeze 'em
K204
New Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 1:39 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Kimber

Re: lets talk powder.....

Post by K204 »

PM replied to.

Thank you
TejasRider
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Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Nov 12, 2019 1:39 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: TC Compass in a Boyd's Thumbhole Varmint

Re: lets talk powder.....

Post by TejasRider »

Any chance anyone has experience with Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR with either 32 or 39 gr bullets? I'm not seeing much data overall for this powder but got some really good velocity with lighter weight bullets in 223 so I thought I'd try to work some up for my 204. I did find some Speer data for 39gr but right now I'm really stocked up with Nosler 32s. That data did show CFE223 for 32 and 39 so based on that I conservatively adjusted the 2000MR data. I just tested for velocity and looked for pressure signs.

My results were as follows:
27.4 - 3213
27.7 - 3240
28.0 - 3330
28.3 - 3369
28.6 - 3417
28.9 - 3481
29.2 - 3546
29.5 - 3555
29.8 - 3603
30.1 - 3641
30.4 - 3707

Given that my rifle has a generous throat, I loaded them a little long (Nosler 32gr Varmageddon FB Tipped)

I didn't see any pressure signs so there is likely a little room at the top but my next pass I'm going to try shooting some 5 shot groups at what seems to be a velocity flat spot between 29.2 and 29.5.

Anyway, since I'm going off-book I was hoping to bounce these results off this group and see if anyone else had been down this road before.
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