34gr cheapies!

Ask questions and share information about reloading.
Butler2253
New Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2016 8:39 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage 11

34gr cheapies!

Post by Butler2253 »

Guys that have shot these bullets can ya please help me out on some good powder that you've used and the amount used. And maybe even the min and max of that powder if you know it! Any incite at all is greatly appreciated!
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2607
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: 34gr cheapies!

Post by Bill K »

I have shoot and still do a lot of the 34 grain Midsouth Shooter and Midway USA bullets in the 20. cal's. You just have to work up a load with them in your rifle. Go to the load manuals and start with the start loads and work up, you will find a load or two that work fine and are accurate. depending on your 20 caliber, powders will vary. But H or IMR 4198, A 2200, Rl 10, CFE 223, A2230 are all good one's to try. I use plenty of IMR 4198 and A 2200. Bill K :) ( As a sidenote, Nosler makes the bullet for both of these outfits, basic cup and core, hp's )

I forgot too mention. I start with the load info for the 32 grainers.
User avatar
futuretrades
Senior Member
Posts: 835
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:16 am
.204 Ruger Guns: HOWA 1500 .204 Ruger Varmint, Bull Bbl, Lupy 6-18x40 custom

Re: 34gr cheapies!

Post by futuretrades »

I don't have any experience with said bullet. But if you can't find any load info, I would use the load info for the 32 grain bullets, and start at the minimal load suggested. You can find the best load for your rifle with some load workup. Good luck!
NRA Benefactor Life member
HOWA 1500 Varmint 204 Ruger, Bull Barrel, Hogue Overmold Stock, Leupold VXII 6-18x40mm AO LRV Custom Reticle Timney Trigger
Cooper Mdl 21 20VarTargW/Leupold VXIII, 6-20x40AO Varmint Hunter reticle.
User avatar
WesF
Junior Member
Posts: 70
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 8:47 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage Model 12FV
Location: Outagamie County, Wiscnosin

Re: 34gr cheapies!

Post by WesF »

The Nosler web site has load data for the 34gr hollow points. I've shot many of these, but I have to single load them as my Savage model 12 doesn't like to load them from the magazine.
Shoot straight & often.
User avatar
Darkker
Senior Member
Posts: 225
Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2012 3:35 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Ruger Predator
Location: SE Washington

Re: 34gr cheapies!

Post by Darkker »

Yep, I've shot mountains of the 34gr Varmint Nightmares as well.
I'm unashamedly a "made in Murrica!!", so I use CFE.

Canister grade powders have a nominal lot allowance for up to 10% differences between lots, so no one can tell you what load to use. No one since the old and now defunct A-Squared manual lists lot numbers tested, so never assume you have the same powder as was tested in a manual; and NEVER just use a load from online as the same.
If you can't pressure test, when you match or exceed book max velocities, you have exceeded book pressures regardless of charge.

Cheers
I'm a firm believer in the theory that if it bleeds, I can kill it.
varmit_master
Senior Member
Posts: 100
Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 4:30 am
.204 Ruger Guns: TC 204
Location: Arkansas

Re: 34gr cheapies!

Post by varmit_master »

Hi I use RL10 and h4895 mostly but dont over look the h332. Good powder with them . I have a friend uses Tac. I think a good powder for the price.
HoundofSC
Junior Member
Posts: 82
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:36 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Stevens based custom

Re: 34gr cheapies!

Post by HoundofSC »

For me these shot ok but not great with TAC, Varget, and RL10X . In my barrel they seem to do the best with H4895 running close to the top of the load chart
User avatar
Darkker
Senior Member
Posts: 225
Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2012 3:35 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Ruger Predator
Location: SE Washington

Re: 34gr cheapies!

Post by Darkker »

Sorry to hear that, but be careful with Varget in the 204. It generates hard carbon pretty quickly.
I'm a firm believer in the theory that if it bleeds, I can kill it.
HoundofSC
Junior Member
Posts: 82
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:36 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Stevens based custom

Re: 34gr cheapies!

Post by HoundofSC »

Never noticed Varget being a dirty powder. I on am on my third 8 pound jug, it is pretty much all I shoot through my various 308s. I find RL 10X the dirtiest powder I shoot and hardest to clean up after. However my .204 loves it with 39 grain SBKs, so I just run a few extra patches through

On the 34 grainers they just like to be shot too hot for me to consider them as a precision bullet. When my daughter is visiting I will load up 100 or so at mild to medium loads for her and they shoot pretty consistent 3/4" groups.
User avatar
Darkker
Senior Member
Posts: 225
Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2012 3:35 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Ruger Predator
Location: SE Washington

Re: 34gr cheapies!

Post by Darkker »

It's not "dirty" in the sense of ashy fouling, and no you wouldn't see it anywhere nearly as quick as in the 204.
You can call Sierra and ask about it, smaller bores accumulate it very quickly.

My accurate load is a light charge of CFE. M.O.P.E. That's minute of Pigeon eye. :D
I'm a firm believer in the theory that if it bleeds, I can kill it.
HoundofSC
Junior Member
Posts: 82
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:36 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Stevens based custom

Re: 34gr cheapies!

Post by HoundofSC »

Darkker wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2017 10:20 am It's not "dirty" in the sense of ashy fouling, and no you wouldn't see it anywhere nearly as quick as in the 204.
You can call Sierra and ask about it, smaller bores accumulate it very quickly.

My accurate load is a light charge of CFE. M.O.P.E. That's minute of Pigeon eye. :D
Mine prefers RL 10X for the 39 SBK's and 4198 for the 34 grainers. Varget was just used for load workups for the .204 and the rifle said no thanks. However I am working on my second 8 pound jug shot through various .308, .260, .243 , and .223 barrels.

I clean my rifles at least every 50 rounds, and if I am doing a powder comparison I will clean between each powder regardless of round count. I usae oldschool Hoppes 9 followed by nylon brushing and then dry patching until clean. When in my shop it would then receive a wet parch of Pro Shot CS and let it soak and followed by dry patches.
Fat Albert
New Member
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2016 2:20 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: none

Re: 34gr cheapies!

Post by Fat Albert »

Dose anyone have the OAL of these bullets? I would like to run them through Quick Load first but Nosler-Midway_Midsouth hides the length. As Nosler make them by the boxcar load there is most likely a lot of variation. Thanks
HoundofSC
Junior Member
Posts: 82
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:36 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Stevens based custom

Re: 34gr cheapies!

Post by HoundofSC »

Fat Albert wrote: Sun Aug 27, 2017 11:47 am Dose anyone have the OAL of these bullets? I would like to run them through Quick Load first but Nosler-Midway_Midsouth hides the length. As Nosler make them by the boxcar load there is most likely a lot of variation. Thanks
measured 15 of them. longest 2 were .550, 2 were .549, 9 were .547, and 2 were .542
Fat Albert
New Member
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2016 2:20 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: none

Re: 34gr cheapies!

Post by Fat Albert »

Thanks---Quick Loads default for the bullet is 0.540". I will change it to 0.545". Thanks again
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2607
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: 34gr cheapies!

Post by Bill K »

I ran some Nosler "Shots" and they ran from .552 to 0554, on the average. Did have one that went .548, go figure. Bill K
Post Reply