Frustrating 204

[GJS]

Simmo, I tried several oals from 2.220 to 2.374 (touching the lands), 4 different powders and 2 different primers, I was sure I could get them to work 'caus the 40 noslers went so well in the old .222rem but just about any thing I did to the Hornadys and Sierras shot way better so I gave up.
larry, I can sympathise with you on both counts of the misses and the weather; we'll wait till the ice and wind subside

Glenn

[larry]

Just found some time to take the 204 into the paddock for some more testing.
Started with the 40 grain noslers for a base line using 28.5 grains of 2208 powder.
That was the best group of approx 40mm, i could get.
Bought a box of Federal 204 with the 39 grain BK's and found instant inprovement. Brought the group down to approx 25mm.
Started the hand loads at 27.5 grains of 2206h going up by 1/2 grain at a time to 29 grains, using Remington primers.
Repeated the process again using CCI Benchrest primers.
Best results were 28 grains on the REM. primers, a group of approx 20mm.
Best results with the CCI primers was 27.5 grains and the group of approx 16mm.
Extremely happy with that considering that i could possibly tweek that a bit more playing with seating depths and the like.
Thanks to all those blokes that shared advice. Very interesting reading all the chatter.
Thanks also to Ian at the Adelaide Gun shop who advised me that this web site existed.
Will continue to brouse this site for comments. Thanks again. Larry

[pavlovaw]

Hi there, have got a factory Ruger number 1 Varminter Laminate in 204 Ruger. I tried the 40 grain Nosler and Hornady but to no use. I did not get any decent accuracy till I tried the 39 sierras. With a charge of 28 grains of 2208 I got half inch accuracy @ 100 but velocity was low at a meager 3550 fps. I increased to 29 grains of 2208 shot on a warm 37 degree summer day. Velocity was 3990 fps with no pressure and a 5 shot group measuring 6mm outside to outside @ 100. I tried them with temperatures from 25-42 degrees with velocity variation not worth worrying about, the deviation was quite little. Pressure did not seem to spike and the cases have lasted 15 reloads with a trim after 8 reloads and are still going strong. Have used this recipe to take foxes in the head out to 385 measured meters. Just love this caliber.

[aussie]

pav does this mean you going to hand over the 338???

[jimmy]

hey mate i have a t3 ss 204, started loading for it not long ago, got a box of nosler shots 34 gn, (i know they are a bit light but i use them at work and they really make a mess of the foxes) i used win primers and 2206h;
26.5gn--.784''
27 gn--.415''
27.5gn--1.083''
28 gn--.435''

only 3 shots at 100m, but bloody accurate for a cheap as shit load.

love the gun love the 204