Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 204 Ruger Help please......

Can someone who has a Sierra manual with 204 Ruger info verify some numbers for me using the 32 grain Blitzking and BLC-2. Min and Max with corresponding velocities. I've seen some velocities that don't jive. High velocities without any discernible pressures.

Thanks in advance,

Scott

Try this web site. It has tons of good info and you may find what you need.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

when you're done with the BLC-2, try Varget. you don't get quite the blazing FPS, but it will put them all in a little hole. have done that with 2 different .204's now.

I use Benchmark or H-322 with 32s, I think BLC-2 is too slow for optimum results. I don't think you can get enough Varget into the case to get the speeds the .204 was built for.

Sierra doesn't show data for BLC2, but Hodgdon does, for the VMax

32 GR. Hornady V-Max
BL-C(2)
2.250"
28.5
3772
43,000 PSI
30.7
4081
55,500 PSI

Go to this link - it is direct from the Sierra manual.

http://www.sierrabullets.com/siteart/cartridge/204Ruger.pdf

drover

Thanks for the help. Here's the story.

I developed this load when the 204 was new enough that info was pretty hard to find. I can't remember where the info came from but I think it was from Hodgdon using info for the V-Max. I've always had good luck with BLC-2 and must have felt good about loading 30.2 grains with the BK. The load was amazingly accurate but I admit I never chrono'd it.

Then I went up in bullet weight for some reason and left this 32 gr. bullet alone for awhile. Now I'm back preparing for PD season. I loaded up 10 rounds and chronographed them as well as rechecking grouping and POA. On a 55 degree day those loads where clocked at 4360 fps. No pressure signs whatsoever and no problem with bolt lift or anything. Needless to say I was somewhat alarmed at the velocity and stopped after firing four rounds. I did borrow another chronograph and lined up both machines and shot another round. Same story.

So here I am with what I consider an amazingly accurate load that I don't feel comfortable shooting. I normally shoot in 80-90 degree weather and don't feel like I can safely do that. So back to the drawing board for this rifle.

Thanks for the help. I must admit I've never run into this problem to this degree. I realize that the bearing surface for these two bullets might be different but not this much. I think I'll try this load with a 32 V-max just to see if the results are similar.

I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again.

Scott

ps Other than this it's been a good weekend. My smith just called to tell me my 6BR is ready! You gotta love load development.

the varget was like 27 or 28 grains, and with the 32 grain bullet it was above 3700 fps or so. but i could shoot 0.3" groups all day. amazingly accurate and easy on the barrel, etc.