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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 57
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 57 |
Need some help on load development for my Ruger 204 browning xbolt. Loaded 40 gr Hornady vmax 26.7 gr H4895 best three shot group 1 1/4 at 100 yds. Need better accuracy for spring gopher shoot would appreciate some advice Thanks
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,945 Likes: 18
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,945 Likes: 18 |
I run 27.5 grains under a 40 nosler BT, or 28 Varget under a 39 BK.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,945 Likes: 18
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,945 Likes: 18 |
40 vmax give lottsa folks fits. if the BK's don't work, drop back to the 32 grainers....
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 57
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 57 |
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044 |
One of the best powder to use in the 204 is Hod BLC-2
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 869
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 869 |
I would try the 32 grainers especially for gophers. A lot of 204's don't like the 40gr. Had good luck with varget, benchmark and TAC in mine. Only one of the 6 rifles will group the 40gr bullets. 2 of the 6 will shoot the 39 blitz kings but all 6 shoot great with the 32's
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,177 Likes: 20
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,177 Likes: 20 |
Tuchodi,
I've had my best overall luck with the 40 V-Max using Ramshot TAC. Have found the CCI 450 often results in the best accuracy. But as some have already pointed out, for gophers there's nothing wrong with 32's.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,467 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,467 Likes: 2 |
The 1-12" twist can be marginal with the 40 grain VMAX. Because of the long boat tail, it's just a little longer than other 39-40 grain bullets and if the twist is just a hair slower than nominal, which happens with manufacturing variation, that bullet might not stabilize.
The fractionally shorter 39 grain Sierra and 40 grain Nosler have not had that problem in my guns.
There's nothing wrong with dropping down to 32s. I haven't shot the Sierra yet but the Hornady and Nosler are very accurate in my gun.
My loads are simple. 27.5 grains of Vargut under any 39-40 grain bullet, 28 grains of H335 under any 32 grain bullet. WW brass, Rem 7-1/2 primers. Ballpark half inch 5 shot 100 yard groups with a 7 pound all-up rifle.
Tom
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a M�bius strip.
Here be dragons ...
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 57
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 57 |
Thanks everyone for the great advice. Living in northern British Columbia components are not always that easy to obtain off the shelf, but it's going to be awhile before the gophers are out up here anyway.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 17,527
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 17,527 |
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 57
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 57 |
Found some 32 gr v max locally today. Got two groups at 3/4 of an inch. Happy with that. Thanks again everyone.
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 |
39 Blitzking and max in YOUR rifle, RL10x or H4895.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,921 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,921 Likes: 1 |
You may want to try CFE223 propellent as well.
There are 2 rules to success:
1. Never tell everything that you know.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,878 Likes: 8
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,878 Likes: 8 |
No one mentioned my favorite.... since canning the 204 and going with the 20 Practical...
the Hornady 24 grain NTX....you can launch it fast and its pretty darn explosive once it hits the target ( talking gophers here).. and an accurate little pill also...
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,177 Likes: 20
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,177 Likes: 20 |
Yeah, it's pretty hot stuff--and so is the 26-grain Barnes Varmint Grenade!
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,053 Likes: 7
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,053 Likes: 7 |
Tuchodi: All six of my 204 Ruger Varmint Rifles are shooting the Sierra 32 grain BlitzKing bullets now. They ARE accurate and very lethal on all manner of Varmints - from Ground Squirrels on up to Badgers and Coyotes! BUT.. the most accurate bullet I tested in all of these 204's was the Berger 35 grainers. They are just hard to find and expensive so I switched to the much easier to find Sierras. If you can find the 35 grain Bergers be sure to try them. Best of luck with the Browning 204. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044 |
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,909 Likes: 20
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,909 Likes: 20 |
I too.......chose the 20 PT after having two 204R barrels
min 2 grs per charge less than the 204....that means 400 grs less
powder consumption & heat in a 200 rd p/dog morning......
same 3900 fps....40 gr moly V max
Last edited by tikkanut; 03/19/16.
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,561
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,561 |
This load out of my Contender rifle has done well for me. A crow a 311 yards, a racoon at probably 350 yards, a deer at 252 yards, a couple of coyotes and probably stuff I don't remember.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 |
If only I could get my mitts on some Hornady 45 grainers!
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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