204 Ruger

Anyone reload for it? Buddy just bought a Tikka in 204 for a great deal and I’m thinking of getting one as well.
Haven’t shot it yet but he bought some 40gr hornady and 32gr Winchester’s for it.
With both having such high FPS not really worried about speed just accuracy.
Question is is it worth loading for? Will be used mainly for Turkey, varmit and maybe the occasional doe.

My BiL bought one, and I considered doing the same. But, i decided to go with a 223 instead, due to the much wider range of bullet weights I could shoot. As it happens, mostly I shoot 40 gr bullets, so I could have been happy with a 204...probably.

Heck, if you want one, buy it.

The bullet selection is very limited from what I can find. So my thought is just by factory ammo and save the brass for a rainy day. I think I want one.

I load 39 grain Sierra Blitzkings for mine.

Yes, loading for it is easy. The only draw back is during sizing, you get a lot of split necks. I'd say 10%-20% will split after first firing. I would anneal for sure each firing.

I really like my 204 Ruger. Here's some reload data that I compiled for mine. Use with caution, please! Work your way up slowly to any of these loads.

Reload Information for 204 Ruger

B/C’s of bullets:
Hornady 32gr = .210
Hornady 40gr = .275
Berger 30gr = .117
Berger 35gr = .136
Berger 40gr = .155

03/14/17
Reloaded 10 once-fired, full length resized cases with 24.8 gr of VhitaVouri N135 powder, a 32 gr Hornady V-Max bullet, and a Remington 7 ½ small rifle primer. COL is 2.25 inches. Results: 1 1/8 inch group of 5 @100 yards; Av. MV 3549

Reloaded 10 once-fired, full length resized cases with 24.8 gr of VhitaVouri N135 powder, a 32 gr Hornady V-Max bullet and a CCI BR small rifle primer. COL is 2.25 inches. Results: ½ inch group of 5 @ 100 yards; Av. MV 3555

3/15/17
Reloaded 5 each with the following powder increments (all 32gr V-Max and CCI BR primers)
26.2 grs
Results: 1 ¼ inch group; no pressure signs

26.7 grs
Results: 1 ¼ inch group; no pressure signs

27.2 grs
Results: 1.0 inch group; no pressure signs

27.7 grs
Results: 1 ½ inch group; Hi velocity of 4140; low of 4077, average of 4099, ES of 63

28.2 grs
Result: ¾ inch group; Hi velocity of 4192; low of 4115; average of 4166, ES of 77

28.5 grs (compressed load!)
Result: 1 inch group; Hi velocity of 4281!; low of 4206; average of 4224!; ES of 75

03/18/17
28.2 grs (compressed load!) with COL extended to 2.28 inches
Results: 7/8ths inch group, hi velocity of 4246; low of 4166; average of 4206; ES of 80

28.2 grs (compressed load!) with Berger 30 gr HP bullets
Results: ½ inch group, hi velocity of 4259; low of 4192; average of 4215; ES of 67

28.7 grs (compressed load!) with Hornady 32gr V-Max
Results: ¾ inch group; hi velocity of 4246; low of 4206; average of 4240!; ES of 67



3/19/17

29.1 grs (VERY compressed load!) with Berger 30gr HP bullets
Results: 7/8ths inch group; hi velocity of 4357; low of 4246; average of 4293, ES of 111

29.1 grs (VERY compressed load!) with Hornady 32gr V-Max
Results: 1 1/16th inch group; hi velocity of 4301; low of 4232; average of 4267, ES of 69

28.2 grs with Hornady 40gr BT V-Max; COL = 2.3
Results: 1 1/8th inch group; hi velocity of 3603; low of 3472; average of 3555; ES of 131



You will be able to find an excellent load that delivers the accuracy you want!
You can also get them to fly pretty rapidly:

thanks for the info fellas. Mikei have you used anything other than VV powder?

I haven't yet, Teal28. I have gotten such good results with the N135 that I don't have a whole lot of interest in working with any other. Kinda like, if it ain't broke, don't fix it; and if I can shoot bug holes with 135, I'm a happy camper/shooter/reloader!

My favorite Prairie Dog caliber!
You don't need a spotter, zero recoil, you can call your own shots.
On light wind days we have killed them out to 650 yards and anything less that 300 is one shot, one kill.
This was the first gun i ever got .25 moa out of consistently, lots of times even smaller.

I used to shoot the Berger 35's, but i'm currently switching to the Sierra 32's.
My buddy shoots the Sierra 39's, my gun just won't stabilize the 39 or 40 grain boat tails at extreme distances.

I originally loaded up 1000 rounds and have finally used them all up.
I will definitely anneal with the info given above about neck splitting. Thanks!

I have that same picture of my chronograph while shooting the 20Tac with 24 gr NTX bullets running 4519fps.

I have a Ruger No 1 in 204 but it’s on the back row of the gun safe and hasn’t been out in about 5 years. I used the Twenty caliber for a while but when CRT quit making bullets I wasn’t happy with any of the current bullets for reliably anchoring coyotes so only use them now for casual predator hunting. I have head shot some big hogs but only because they presented themselves while I had the rifle.
The 20’s are at their best in the PD fields and the bullet lineup except the 45gr are made for such. Now give me a fast twist and the 55 gr Berger with a case that has some powder capacity to run it hard then I might be interested.

I do have quite a bit of reloading data that looking goes from 2007 up last year. Powders that have worked well for heavier bullets have been N530/AA2520/AR Comp/XBR8208

For the most part......it seems the smaller the caliber is the more accurate the cartridge/rifle is.

Win 748, CCi Magnum SR primer, 40 grain Nosler ballistic tip has been great for me. I've got 204 brass with 8 firings and very few split necks. I'ts definitely worth reloading for!

I have had very similar results. After more than 6000 rounds I still like the caliber and am currently re-barreling one of mine. I have had no problem with brass but I do anneal after every other firing. It was my first 1/4 moa gun as well and was very easy to work a load up for. I use CCI 450 primers, 32 and 40gr vmax bullets with RE10 powder in both of my rifles. My shooting partner uses Benchmark in his with similar results.