204 Ruger load help???

[crittergitter]

Question from my buddy Big O. He has a Savage bolt gun in 204 Ruger that he can't get to shoot:mad:. He's accurized the gun but has decided it must be a powder issue. He is shooting several bullets in the 40-45 grain range and has tried several Hodgdon powders unsuccesfully. I suggested Reloader 7, 10x, and 12. Anyone care to share some pet loads and tricks to get this gun to shoot...he competes with Savages at 1000 yard comps so he knows what to do to the gun, just needs load suggestions.

[malcarjeb]

I am using WW 748 with great results with the 40 V-Max. The gun is a Savage 12 LVP. I have also had good results with Benchmark and the 32 V-Max.

[ilscungilli]

I'd try different bullets, specifically the 39gr Sierra Blitzking. I've had good results with that bullet, 24.8gr Reloder 10x, Federal 205M primers, Hornady Brass, seated at 2.26". I have also had good results with H335, 26.7gr.

Have a look at Home of 204Ruger.com and RugerHunting.com!, under the loads. There is also a good forum on reloading where many people have posted a variety of loads - lots of Savage shooters. There aren't too many people shooting the heavy bullets in the .204 from what I have read, and most of the time when people have trouble finding a good load, the solution seems to involve switching bullets more often than not.

[linksmechanic]

Some .204's wont shoot the 40 grain bullets and some will. try lighter bullets. I use Blc-2 in mine.

[cabelas90]

I am very new to reloading and im going to start reloading my 204 with 32 grain v-max how much of a diffrence will 5 thousands of a inch in case length make? any help would be great!!

[canderson]

I use 27.1 gr of 4895 with a 40 gr berger in several different 204's. OAL about 2.25. The 39 blitzkings will usually shoot with the same load. I believe that the 40grs with a 1-12 twist are on the edge of being stabile. My gun will shoot the 35 a little better than the 40's but I am trying to shoot the 40's a lot farther. As always back off of my load and watch for pressure signs in your gun please.

[ilscungilli]

Originally Posted by cabelas90

I am very new to reloading and im going to start reloading my 204 with 32 grain v-max how much of a diffrence will 5 thousands of a inch in case length make? any help would be great!!

A little difference probably won't have much of an affect on accuracy, as long as you have square mouths, and the length still allows you to chamber the rounds. That said, I usually trim my brass to 1.840" as part of my case prep, and use the RCSB VLD deburring tool.