204 ruger questions

[tkeveney]

I just got my new dies for the .204. I'll be working on some loads soon.

I have a few questions/concerns I'd like some help with.

1) The cartridge neck is obviously tiny - will I need a special powder funnel? Or drop tube?

2) Will this require small rifle primers?

3) Shell holder size?

4) What other strange things am I in for in loading this cool little shell?

If any of y'all have some experience with this cartridge, I'd appreciate your tips. I'm not afraid to do the experimenting necessary to work up a good load - but I'd like to avoid any unnecessary pitfalls.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Guy Miner]

Great cartridge for varmint shooting!

I'm not real fond of handloding for the little thing though. Everything is tiny!

1. A smaller powder funnel helped me a lot.

2. Yes, small rifle primers are necessary.

3. Shell holder - don't know what size, I load it on an arbor press without a shell holder. All I do is neck size the little rascals, working the thin neck brass as little as possible.

4. Ball C(2) is the powder I've settled on. Good velocity and accuracy, but others rely on different powders. The 35 grain Berger hollow point is the most accurate bullet I've tried. I've seen very good results from the 40 gr V-Max Hornady as well, but some guys can't get the 40's to shoot well. I think they're likely right on the edge of being too long for the standard twist rates on many .204 rifles.

Hate to admit it - but I haven't gotten around to using Nosler bullets with the little .204 Ruger.

Have used both Winchester & Hornady brass, they're equally good from what I can tell.

Enjoy! Flat trajectory, extremely mild recoil, accurate, excellent results on varmints. Which .204 rifle did you select?

 

[Guy Miner]

I'm using a CZ 527 varminter, with a 12x Leupold. It's worked out real well. Good rifle for the money. One of my favorite things about the .204 is that even in a fairly light rifle, the scope never comes off the target - so I can see the bullet hit. That's pretty cool.

 

[DrMike]

Ya' gotta' admit that it is a sexy looking cartridge. It is tiny, though. Great pictures, Guy.

 

[257 Ackley]

Great caliber that is really fun to shoot!! As Guy said, there is great joy in being able to watch the target when impact happens :lol: .

Definitly buy a funnel specific to the 20 caliber neck; Satern Custom Machining makes a great funnel that helps eliminate static problems that may make powders stick to the inside of the funnel.

Shell holder numbers vary depending on the brand you buy. It will be the same shell holder you would use for the .223 round.

As Guy also said, most standard .204 rifles don't digest the longer/heavier bullets in this caliber. I have a heavy barreled Cooper that starts to open up with the 39 and 40 grain bullets available out there. The 32 grain bullets are really fast and will shoot dime sized groups at 100 yards, but for this caliber and my applications, the 35 grain Berger is my bullet of choice with Benchmark powder.

 

[YoteSmoker]

2) Will this require small rifle primers?
Yes. I use Fed205M for mine with Win and Horn brass.

3) Shell holder size?
It takes a #10 shell holder. Same as 223 and 222 mag, which is the parent case to the 204R.

4) What other strange things am I in for in loading this cool little shell?
Trimming cases can be a challenge as most collets start at 22 cal. I ended up shaving one down to 20 cal and then setting that trimmer up dedicated to the 204.

Most barrels are 1:12 twist and shoot 32 v-max and 35 berger hps best. I have had good luck with H322 and H4895. Benchmark and W748 are also top picks by other 204 enthusiasts. Some guys get away with shooting the 39 blitzking but be careful. It is very thin jacketed and would be best used for varmint vs coyote.