Broke out my loading gear after years

[Sigfla]

Ok so I am committed to start loading my .204. I have a nice stockpile of 30 gr Bergers, 32 gr Vmaxes, and 39 gr SBK’s. I am looking to add some 35 gr Bergers. I have 2 unopened bottles of 10x and BLC2. My question is should I worry about the old powder? It was stored ok but it’s been on the shelf for years (5+ at least).

[Rick in Oregon]

My question is should I worry about the old powder? It was stored ok but it’s been on the shelf for years (5+ at least).

Short answer: No, it should not be an issue.

Example.....I'm still using some H4831 in my 270Win that's marked "This is WWII Surplus Powder - Storage Life is not guaranteed"
These cans of powder were purchased in the middle 1970's and still work perfectly. As long as the powder in question was not subjected to extreme temperature swings, stored in a dry environment, it should be completely safe and useable in your 204R.

Load with confidence and go warm up that rifle.

[Sigfla]

Phew I have been going back to some notes and forum posts when I first bought my gun and loading gear. Life changes kept coming up but (after 10 years!) I am finally fully setup to load some rounds this week. I ordered some more supplies from Midway but pretty much have everything I need component and tool wise stored in my bench. I have added a couple more .204’s over the last 10 years (Savage, Dakota, and CZ). Other than the CZ and my Dakota .243 (which went with me to shoot in Ohio) none have yet been groundhog shooting with me. Father in law and brother in law booked a trip out west this year and I am planning on going.

[Jim White]

Too add...when talking about old powder age/era can make a difference due to manufactures altering the powder makeup yet maintaining the same name. For examle, Herculese "UNIQUE" and Alliant "UNIQUE" differ from 1970/80 era's compared to what they are today. So keep that in the back of the noggin' and work up loads in a safe manner.

Like Rick, I have powder that is decades old and it still performs.

All the best,

[Sigfla]

Well after many years I am happy and slightly embarrassed to say I finally loaded up some rounds for my .204. Hornady brass, 2.250 OAL (measured .015 off the lands), and ladder load of 5 each 28.5, 29, 29.5, 30, and 30.5 grains of BLC-2. I’ll hit the range this weekend.

[Rick in Oregon]

Sigfla, as I know you're working with a 204R with a tight neck chamber of .230", be sure to mic your loaded rounds to ensure you do not exceed the neck OD of .228".

A tight neck chamber is not ideal for a novice handloader, as it requires much more attention to detail than working with a SAAMI chamber. Also be aware that shooting factory ammunition in that chamber is not recommended. It will generate much more pressure than you want, or those near you.

Be very careful here, take your time and go slowly.

And from reading your posts on other forums, I'd also suggest using only ogive comparator readings and forget using base to tip measurements. There's just too much variance in bullet tips to be reliable.

[Sigfla]

Thanks Rick, as always a wealth of helpful info. You and a few others have contributed alot towards my confidence. My first loading attempt was a “learning experience” and in the end a positive to only use Ogive measurements. I have had a few years now to think about neck diameter, freebore, and headspace, etc.. I think I have a handle on those concepts. My Redding Type S die setup is pretty solid and is working as it should. As I get started I am prob not going to reuse brass over and over. Frankly I don’t shoot that much with these guns. I am in FL and primarily bird hunt for quail. Groundhogs and coyotes are once every few years at best.

My biggest worry in getting started these last few years frankly revolved around powder. I was nervous as heck about throwing my first charge. After I did it I wondered what took me so long.

I am wanting to get setup to load my other guns now. I have a nice .243 from Dakota that never hit its potential with factory rounds. I deer hunt with a .280 and that ammo isn’t as prevalent as it used to be. For fun I shoot a 45/70 suppressed subsonic. I have a Lee loader setup for that I have never used. Like everyone else I also have a few .308’s that would be fun to load for.