Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Anyone running Blue Dot in the 204 R?

Gotta be someone here who has.....seafire perhaps?


Anyways, I am thinking about 12 to 14 grains may be a good starting point with a 32 grain.

hmmm. i have some experience with the .204 Ruger, but none with it in conjuction with blue dot. i would be very curious as to what you are trying to accomplish by using blue-dot over any of the rather excelent rifle powders out there. i load 26.6 of H322 and CCI 400 primers under the 32 v-max. last group i shot with it was a ragged hole for the first 4 and 1 flier out there to open the group up to a grand total size of about 1/2 of an inch. please give us some more info on what your trying to do here.

H322 is a good one, more wins in competition than all other powders combined.

I've run pounds of Blue Dot in the 223 along with your standard powders.

14 to 16 grains behind a 37 grain Calhoon.

You don't heat your barrel up in the PD/rat fields.
Lower report to send the PD/rats down.
Less Recoil to see hits.

Not as accurate as H322 but a great 200 yard load.

I figure it will work in the 204 Ruger.

Well I typed a response, and then GDamn Microsoft, the computer shuts down, with a note about an 'important Microsoft UpDate' and then reboots the entire computer and erases my response..

so lets try this again...

SU 35.

I have tested Blue Dot out in 204, when another forum member sent me a take off barrel for free to do the testing..

It was tested with 32 and 40 grain V Maxes. I don't have my notes handy unfortunately. However I can remember the max charge was roughly 12.5 to 13 grains...Work up from about 11.5 gr to 12... in 2/10 grain increments.. Max load was reached at less powder than in the 223...

as far as max load in the 223, with the 37 grain Calhoon, I would recommend a max charge of 14.5 grains..I tested higher, but noticed any real world velocity increase, but did notice an increase in pressure signs...

a real good low cost substitute, is 14.5 grains of Blue Dot and the 40 grain HP Sierra ( in 223)...MV in my rifles is approximately 3250 fps...

Sorry I don't have my notes handy on the 204. If I locate them, I will either post them publicly or send them to you in a PM..

cheers
seafire

RugerDude: Several of my Hunting partners are raving about H 322 in their various 204 Ruger Rifles!
I have got to try it this winter in some of my 204's just to compare it to the splendid accuracy I am getting with H 4895.

SU35: I don't even START shooting at Prairie Dogs until they are out past 200 yards distant!
Over the last 40 years of Prairie Doggin I have noticed a significant increase in Prairie Dog Hunters and a noticeable decrease in Prairie Dogs.
I use the 200 yard minimum as a self inflicted way to conserve the quarry and maximize the satisfaction/enjoyment of Prairie Dog Hunting.

Seafire: I am not EVEN gonna say a word regarding the various dangers of squib loading high intensity cartridges!

Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Thanks Seafire, you really confirmed what i was thinking.

I'll give it a go and start at 12 grains.





Bless you for saving them for me to shoot...at less than 200 yards. I kill em' all. My joy is maximized at any distance.

I call it "Rolling Thunder".

As the gun fire puts the PD's down further and further out my shots follow. With Blue Dot I shoot everything within 200 yards as it stretches out there I go to conventional powders that rev the load to max.
My barrel is hardly warm by the time I'm stretching shots because of burning Blue Dot.

And by the way I shoot mostly sage rats in eastern OR.
A whole different ball game than PD's. They're popping up all day long 360 degrees around you. Farmers want em' dead and I oblige them.


If your squeamish about using Blue Dot it's best you don't use it.

And rightly so... i have used the 4895, i have used RL15 even, neither gave me the outstanding results of the H322. It in my experience seems to burn cooler than the 15 also. and burns MUCH cleaner, at least in my 20 inch tube. excelent vel also, 3400+ with 40 gr bullets out of that short tube.

8208 xbr powder is getting top speeds and accuracy in the 204 Ruger. Wish I could find some.

http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/2009/10/03/hodgdon-releases-impressive-new-imr-8208-xbr-powder/

32 GR. HDY V-MAX IMR IMR 8208 XBR .204" 2.250" 27.5 3917 47,500 PSI 29.0 4130 56,500 PSI

As usual, Seafire comes right in. I would suspect that the smaller hole would make Blue Dot a little touchier in a 204. I've had super success with BD in 223 under 40s at 13.8; and after some unmistakable YOU IDIOT experiences, about 10.7 in the Fireball.
Give those rats the finger for me.

I think these were the results of your testing.


http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5411043/m/123106908?r=338106338#338106338

Thanks to Gube!!!!
Sorry guys, computer change, and I can't find any of my old stuff even tho I downloaded it to a portable hard drive, and downloaded it to the new computer..

so here is the results I got when I tested it previously in A 204...


204 Ruger and Blue Dot

Rifle used: Ruger 77 Mk 2

Barrel: 22 inches

Primer used: Winchester Small Pistol

Bullets used: Hornady 32 and 40 grain V Maxes.


32 grain Vmax:

5grs: 1588 fps
6grs: 1849 fps
7grs: 2012 fps
8grs: 2300 fps
9grs: 2472 fps

10grs: 2709 fps
11grs: 2890 fps
12grs: 3012 fps
13grs: 3212 fps
14grs: 3372 fps


40 grain Vmax

6grs: 1734 fps
7grs: 1966 fps
8grs: 2197 fps
9grs: 2321 fps

10grs: 2546 fps
11grs: 2709 fps
12grs: 2874 fps
13grs: 2892 fps
14 grs: 3140 fps


Starting charges were determined based on work with the 223 cartridge.

Both bullet weights charges were stopped at 14 grains, as going higher didnt show any real increase in velocity but did show pressure signs starting.

Accuracy was what I have come to expect with Blue Dot.

Small pistol primers were used based on availability.. this was done during a nationwide primer shortage. Small rifle primers would not show any potential increase in velocity or pressure, based on experience with the 223 case.

As always a prudent handloader will work up to max charges, to make sure they are safe in their rifle.

This is presented as for academic review only, as I can not be responsible for other people’s handloading procedures.

If the lighter charges are used, I recommend charging a case and seating the bullet first, before going onto the next cartridge as this will eliminate the potential of a double charge.

With a max of 14 grains per case, a pound of Blue Dot will yield powder for 500 rounds of ammo.

Seafire
February 2008.

once again.. as big thumbs up to Gube..

anyone using this data, remember it only proved safe it my rifle... so you do so at your own risk... and please remember, if you are wanting to use the max loads listed, then please work up to that level...and also don't exceed it... I've gone further, and saw no velocity increase...Blue Dot will plateau...