California "skippy" loads

[257 Ackley]

Went out yesterday to check final loads for an up-coming trip to California for some belding squirrel shooting!! These diggers are about the size of a beer bottle when they sit up, so you have to be able to judge wind and distance fairly well if shots are over 200 yards. These targets were shot at 200 yards. Rifle is a Cooper Phoenix model chambered in .204 Ruger with a Leo 6.5 - 20 X 40 LR. There was a fouling shot, followed by 4 shots in each group. The rifle was cleaned prior to each string to ensure each load tested was given a fair chance.

Here were the most accurate loads found:
Berger 35 grain varmint bullet behind 26.5 grains of Benchmark
Sierra 39 grain behind 25.5 grains of Benchmark
I'm sure they could be run a little faster, but these will work well for the annual "aerial show" we have.

Target grid is 3/4 of an inch.

 

[DrMike]

That looks pretty good from up here! Good hunting.

 

[JD338]

Joel,

Nicely done, congratulatons.
You are good to go.

JD338

 

[BK]

Looks good! I take it you're not in a condor zone?

If you get down San Diego way, we'll have to meet for a coffee (or beer).

 

[SJB358]

Wow, those are sweet shooting loads! Man, that 204 is surely something! Hard to beat anything based off the old Three Deuce Mag! Scotty

 

[257 Ackley]

BK -
We are in the corner where Cali, Nevada and Oregon meet. Lots of great alfalfa fields to shoot. No one has ever said anything to me about it being a lead free area. The guys I shoot with are from the Bay area and they are still shooting leaded ammo.

 

[velvetant]

BK -
We are in the corner where Cali, Nevada and Oregon meet. Lots of great alfalfa fields to shoot. No one has ever said anything to me about it being a lead free area. The guys I shoot with are from the Bay area and they are still shooting leaded ammo.

Sounds like the Alturas/Cedarville area.
Shot that area for many years, you're going to have a great time.
Don't forget to bring a 22 rimfire to shoot while your main guns cool down.

Randy

 

[257 Ackley]

Alturas is the closest town to where we camp. We go up in the hills to set up camp for the week. I haven't been there since 2007, but am told not much has changed.

The guys had a mountain lion visit them last year in the camp, so the Sig 40 cal will be coming with me.

 

[DrMike]

No need for the handgun, Joel. Catamounts don't eat much.

 

[BK]

Funny, Doc. I was thinking a .40 might not be big enough to make me feel safe! I was thinking if that were me, I'd have both of my .44 Mags with me!

 

[Guy Miner]

I haven't tried the 39 gr Sierra yet. A lot of folks tell me it's one of the most accurate .204 bullets. That 35 gr Berger has worked out real well for me on rock chucks. Very accurate, not as explosive as some the Hornady A-Max 32 gr bullets I've tried but more accurate. Scorching good velocity with BL-C(2).

The .204 and ground squirrels are simply meant for each other! :grin:

 

[ACLakey]

I live just north of where you will be and have killed around 1000 of those critters so far this spring. The little ones are up now so the targets can range from the size of a mouse to a soda bottle. Enjoy your trip.

 

[257 Ackley]

Guy - I do like the 39 grain Sierra. I tried the 40 grain Nosler BT, but could not get it to shoot well at all. Hard to believe one grain would make a difference in how the bullet stabilizes, but it seems true in this case. The 35 grain Berger seems to work the best for me between velocity and accuracy. It seems to "buck" the wind better than the 32 grain bullets, but you do loose something in the explosion side . We are some sick puppies!!!

ACLakey - glad to hear the populations are doing well. Hopefully you haven't educated all of them out there :lol:. It is nice having a few easy ones that are under the 200 yard variety until you can get the wind and range figured out. What are you shooting for calibers and bullets?

 

[257 Ackley]

No need for the handgun, Joel. Catamounts don't eat much.

:lol: Mike - only you would come up with that one!!!

 

[nodak7mm]

Love that cartridge and Benchmark.. Great shooting there Joel!!

HOWEVER!!! I expect to see some Aerial Skippy pix and other assorted gun porn pix from the trip upon your return..

 

[ACLakey]

Guy - I do like the 39 grain Sierra. I tried the 40 grain Nosler BT, but could not get it to shoot well at all. Hard to believe one grain would make a difference in how the bullet stabilizes, but it seems true in this case. The 35 grain Berger seems to work the best for me between velocity and accuracy. It seems to "buck" the wind better than the 32 grain bullets, but you do loose something in the explosion side . We are some sick puppies!!!

ACLakey - glad to hear the populations are doing well. Hopefully you haven't educated all of them out there :lol:. It is nice having a few easy ones that are under the 200 yard variety until you can get the wind and range figured out. What are you shooting for calibers and bullets?

I mostly use a 22LR, shots can be as close as your feet and as far as you would wish to shoot in the fields I frequent. When I shoot larger calibers I fire form brass for my 223AI using 50gr BT.

 

[257 Ackley]

Guy - I do like the 39 grain Sierra. I tried the 40 grain Nosler BT, but could not get it to shoot well at all. Hard to believe one grain would make a difference in how the bullet stabilizes, but it seems true in this case. The 35 grain Berger seems to work the best for me between velocity and accuracy. It seems to "buck" the wind better than the 32 grain bullets, but you do loose something in the explosion side . We are some sick puppies!!!

ACLakey - glad to hear the populations are doing well. Hopefully you haven't educated all of them out there :lol:. It is nice having a few easy ones that are under the 200 yard variety until you can get the wind and range figured out. What are you shooting for calibers and bullets?

I mostly use a 22LR, shots can be as close as your feet and as far as you would wish to shoot in the fields I frequent. When I shoot larger calibers I fire form brass for my 223AI using 50gr BT.

ACLakey -
I'm not used to having anything that close to shoot at. Maybe I should pack a .22 in the case and than stop and buy a brick of hollowpoints for it when I get out there. I will be at max with the airlines with the amount of ammo I can have in checked luggage.