[dh1633pm]

Pretty experienced at reloading. Wanted to ask any pointers on reloading the 204 Ruger. Have gotten the dies yet. Been saving my brass all of which is Hornady. I have a CZ527 Varmint in 204. It has a 1:12 twist. Have only shot factory ammo so far. Want to use the Rifle for F-Class. Was thinking of 32 grain bullets behind some IMR4895 or AA2230 powders. Any advice on which dies, bullets or even brass to use? Thanks.

 

[bfoosh006]

Sorry , no reloading advice... but,

Blemished Varmint Bullets 20 Cal (204 Diameter) 40 Grain Polymer

I have had excellent results with any and all of the "Blemished" bullets I have bought from Midway.

And here is a deal from Nosler....

Nosler 204-32gr Ballistic Tip LEAD FREE (OVER-RUN) 50ct

Those are first quality, just over runs.

 

[dh1633pm]

I saw those at Midway the other day.

 

[dh1633pm]

I picked up a box of Hornady 40 Grain bullets yesterday. It was raining hard yesterday so I resized all my brass using my dad's press and dies. I loaded up 10 for testing using AA2460. I have some IMR4895 to try as well. I used it because my powder measure was already loaded with them. The load is rated for 3600 FPS or so. I will try them out later this week.

 

[Indyarms]

The only problem I have with reloading the 204 is case mouth width, and stick powders... AND the fact that my powder nipple on my powder measure is kinda old and worn out, so the mouth fits up in, not flush... so sometimes I get spillage if I dont use another funnel under the measure... just an inconvenience. I have always used varget and 8208XBR and have had excellent results... YMMV, etc...

 

[dh1633pm]

Thanks for the input. Loaded some with AA2460. I also have AA2230. No Varget left. Working on a trade for some. Heard that it was the best. I also have IMR4064 and IMR4895. What weight bullets does your rifle like? I have a CZ527 Varmint.

 

[A-FIXER]

I would also choose Nosler projectiles and I use W-748 my father use and likes 10x I like 32grs he likes 40gr Barnes is another but shooting F-class you'll only want the best.

 

[dh1633pm]

Thanks. I was getting ready for an order or projectiles. Some powders are certainly hard to come by right now.

 

[Indyarms]

i have a Savage model 12 internal magazine. Heavy stainless fluted barrel. its like a VLPDBM just without the DBM! LOL It was the model they made before they did the DBM, I believe... as it is identical to my 243 VLPDBM . again, just without the DBM. ( detachable box magazine )

It loves the 32 grain amax bullets. with a compressed load of varget under it. forget the exact weight at the moment. It will print 5 rounds under a dime at 100 all day long.

I have tried some of the heavier stuff... it starts to get squirrely over 40 grains...

 

[dh1633pm]

Thanks for the input. My dad has a Ruger and my brother a Rem 700. My dad has been experimenting with Varget and H335. The information is all good. Love those Savage Rifles. I got the 40 grains because they were the only ones available. I will obtain a variety of bullets to give them a try.

 

[A-FIXER]

Thanks for the input. My dad has a Ruger and my brother a Rem 700. My dad has been experimenting with Varget and H335. The information is all good. Love those Savage Rifles

I also have a Savage Model 12 VLPDBM and dh you'll ajust the trigger and bet your family for steak dinners or the like and win every time....

 

[dh1633pm]

That rifle is nice. I like that it has a removable mag and it is stainless.

 

[dh1633pm]

I had to wait a bit before I could load some more. I got my own dies so I wouldn't have to share. I also purchased a bunch of .204 brass and some more 40 grain V-Max bullets. Now I am in better shape.

I loaded up 5 test rounds each using AA2460, IMR4064, H335, IMR4895 and AA2230. I already tried some AA2460 that grouped a little bigger than I have expected. So I loaded some lower and they did better. Trying it again. I plan on testing tomorrow after work.

 

[A-FIXER]

Whats your speed?

 

[dh1633pm]

I tested the loads last night at 100 yards. Didn't have the CRONY setup. Loading data suggests they are about 3500 FPS, but we will have to see. All loads were about the same group sizes of about one inch. I am going to play a bit with each powder to narrow things down a little. I did learn that AA2460 works better at the mid range load than closer to the maximum. I don't have any Varget or it would have been tested.

The wind was near zero, but it was also very humid.

 

[A-FIXER]

Have you see the vapor trail yet? Its pretty cool.

 

[dh1633pm]

No, but I will be looking. I still haven't tried anything lighter than 40 grains.

 

[dh1633pm]

I tested another 10 loads tonight. About 90 degrees and high humidity. Very little wind. Tried IMR4895 (cause I have a lot of it) from the low 26.0 to the high 27.8 in .2 increments. Letting the rifle (CZ527) cool between groupings. All at 100 yards. Also tried IMR4064 at 27.5 grains. The best group was at 27.0 grains with the Hornady A-Max bullet. Under a dime at 100 yards from a supported position. IMR4064 a close second at under a quarter. Was trying a load from a news group with the A-Max and a CZ527. It did well but the IMR4895 was better. Not that I couldn't try some loads with IMR4064 in increments, but with a lot of 4895 in stock why bother.