204 Ruger - The Firearms Forum

bobg`12 · 02-03-2012, 10:52 AM

Does anyone load for the 204 Ruger? Not sure what powder to start out with. I will start with Sierra 32 gr. Blitzking bullets. Rem. 7 1/2 primers.
The powders i have are. Win. 748. IMR 4895 and IMR 3031. I use a lot of IMR 3031 but not sure how it will work in the 204. With the powder choices given any suggestions as to which one to start with? There are probably better powder choices but i would like to use what i have on hand.

hardluk1 · 02-03-2012, 11:27 AM

Go over to 6mmbr forum and click on the 20 cal site. The H4895, reloader 10x and benchmarkis used and there is some info there that might help you or post on there forum.

gdmoody · 02-03-2012, 10:12 PM

Hello bobg'12, welcome to TFF. You don't need to go to any other forum to find out any information. Given the time, some one will answer your questions.

I loaded the .204 Ruger for about 4 years, until I sold the rifle a few months ago. The obvious question I am going to ask you is - What manual are you using for load data? Then I am going to tell you that I used both Winchester 748 and Varget in mine.

I started out using the 32 grain Hornady V-max bullet with 28 grains of Win 748 with CCI primers. A couple of years later, I found out that MidwayUSA sold a 20 caliber bullet in 34 grains called Dogtown Bullets that were a whole lot cheaper than the Hornady. I started loading the .204 with those bullets being pushed with 27 grains of Varget/CCI primer. Both loads I mentioned were very accurate in my H&R Handi Rifle.

I liked the Dogtown bullets so much that I started buying them in .224 to load in my 5.7X28. They only make them in 17, 20 and 22 caliber, if they made 30 caliber ones I would probably load them in the .308!!

bobg`12 · 02-04-2012, 05:26 AM

I thought i had the latest Sierra manual but maybe not. The 204 isn't listed. Looks like IMR 4895 and Win.748 are the powders to start with. I have used IMR 3031 in 222, 222mag. 223, 225 and 22-250. I have a lot of 3031 on hand. Was hopeing it would work in the 204. Guess it really isn't the powder to go with. Thank you for the suggestions folks.

JLA · 02-04-2012, 08:19 AM

I have data. Ill scan if off the hornady 8th right quick.

JLA · 02-04-2012, 08:29 AM

Hot off the scanner.

JLA · 02-04-2012, 08:30 AM

BTW, im gonna move this thread over to ammo and reloading. Itll get better attention there.

02-03-2012, 10:52 AM	#1
bobg`12 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 21	204 Ruger Does anyone load for the 204 Ruger? Not sure what powder to start out with. I will start with Sierra 32 gr. Blitzking bullets. Rem. 7 1/2 primers. The powders i have are. Win. 748. IMR 4895 and IMR 3031. I use a lot of IMR 3031 but not sure how it will work in the 204. With the powder choices given any suggestions as to which one to start with? There are probably better powder choices but i would like to use what i have on hand. -->

02-03-2012, 11:27 AM	#2
hardluk1 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: nc mountains Posts: 293	Re: 204 Ruger Go over to 6mmbr forum and click on the 20 cal site. The H4895, reloader 10x and benchmarkis used and there is some info there that might help you or post on there forum. Last edited by hardluk1; 02-03-2012 at 11:28 AM..

02-03-2012, 10:12 PM	#3
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,306	Re: 204 Ruger Hello bobg'12, welcome to TFF. You don't need to go to any other forum to find out any information. Given the time, some one will answer your questions. I loaded the .204 Ruger for about 4 years, until I sold the rifle a few months ago. The obvious question I am going to ask you is - What manual are you using for load data? Then I am going to tell you that I used both Winchester 748 and Varget in mine. I started out using the 32 grain Hornady V-max bullet with 28 grains of Win 748 with CCI primers. A couple of years later, I found out that MidwayUSA sold a 20 caliber bullet in 34 grains called Dogtown Bullets that were a whole lot cheaper than the Hornady. I started loading the .204 with those bullets being pushed with 27 grains of Varget/CCI primer. Both loads I mentioned were very accurate in my H&R Handi Rifle. I liked the Dogtown bullets so much that I started buying them in .224 to load in my 5.7X28. They only make them in 17, 20 and 22 caliber, if they made 30 caliber ones I would probably load them in the .308!! __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

02-04-2012, 05:26 AM	#4
bobg`12 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 21	Re: 204 Ruger I thought i had the latest Sierra manual but maybe not. The 204 isn't listed. Looks like IMR 4895 and Win.748 are the powders to start with. I have used IMR 3031 in 222, 222mag. 223, 225 and 22-250. I have a lot of 3031 on hand. Was hopeing it would work in the 204. Guess it really isn't the powder to go with. Thank you for the suggestions folks.

02-04-2012, 08:19 AM	#5
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,305	Re: 204 Ruger I have data. Ill scan if off the hornady 8th right quick. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

02-04-2012, 08:30 AM	#7
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,305	Re: 204 Ruger BTW, im gonna move this thread over to ammo and reloading. Itll get better attention there. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!