204Ruger

I have two Tikka 204
The Varmint will shoot the 39 smk well with just about any powder.
The T3 lite I got to do a small ladder of 27, 27.5 and 28 gr of Varget and 39 smk , wasnt impressive
Ill get back to testing later but for now its hunting time and 35 gr Bergers with H4895 and CCI 450

Be careful making.5gr jumps in this small case. The pressure can raise significantly in a large span like that. .2gr increments is much safer. We enjoy reading about a good range report more than a good hospital report. The 39gr SBK's shoot very well out of most 204's & yours appears to be no different. It may also like the 40gr Berger HP's. Good Luck!!

Noted thx

I bought a T3 Lite in .204 at Cabelas here in Michigan this past spring - something like a $100 off. This is a little tack driver . . .[/quote]

tpcollins:

I have a T3 lite but have not got to shoot it yet.
What are you having the best luck with?

I was having problems with my T3 lite. It would group the 39gr BK great then one would keyhole. I would get about 4 shots touching, then one wouldn't even hit the paper. I wasn't sure if it was my rifle or what. It grouped all of the factory ammo great, but it kept doing this with my handloads. I tried a different box of bullets, and now they all group great, no more keyholes. I am not sure if i just got a bad box, or if something was rough in the barrel then smoothed out. I believe my load is 26.4gr of RL10X with CCI magnum powders. I think they were shooting just under 3900fps for me.

cottonfarmer wrote:I bought a T3 Lite in .204 at Cabelas here in Michigan this past spring - something like a $100 off. This is a little tack driver . . .

tpcollins:

I have a T3 lite but have not got to shoot it yet.
What are you having the best luck with?[/quote]


I loaded up some 32gr Noslers and 39gr SBK last summer and never could get back to the range. I'm retired and didn't have the time - how does that happen? But I did get it sighted in with the Hornady factory 32gr that boasts 4225 fps. I averaged about 3850 from my 22 1/4" Tikka barrel and was impressed with my 100 yard group. Last week I went out to where I hunt and unloaded my muzzleloader at a 200 yard target. I took the Tikka along with the 32gr Hornady factory ammo and shot a 1 1/2" 3-shot group that was 1 1/2" low and left at 200 yards with a slight wind, off the tailgate on my truck. My Sightron Big Sky has an 8 MOA so 6 clicks up and 6 click right - I should be all set I hope.

I hope to get to the range this year to find out what it really likes the best. I just order the Foxpro Black Jack decoy to go with my caller. Those coyotes will just have to get shot with the Hornadys until later!

I have a 204 Tikka and its shoots the 40 gr Bergers very well over 748 powder and cci 250 primers>

i have a tikka varmit and it it loves the 39sbk pushed by 28 grains of ar2206h and rem 71/2 primers and tack holes