Load data for the 204 ruger

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Load data for the 204 ruger

Post by NukeBOMB88 » 09 Jun 2017, 8:43 pm

Gday I'm looking for some info on loads for the 204 ruger using 45grn soft point projectiles and Ar2208 Powder.

Been using 32grn Vmax/Zmax bullets with good results of about .4 moa groups using 27grns of the Ar2208 but want to try something different.

Thanks
Ruger M77 Mkii VT .204
Jw-15e .22
Winchester Model 37a 12ga
Beretta Silver pigeon pump action 12ga
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Re: Load data for the 204 ruger

Post by bladeracer » 09 Jun 2017, 9:08 pm

NukeBOMB88 wrote:Gday I'm looking for some info on loads for the 204 ruger using 45grn soft point projectiles and Ar2208 Powder.

Been using 32grn Vmax/Zmax bullets with good results of about .4 moa groups using 27grns of the Ar2208 but want to try something different.

Thanks



What is your twist rate?
I have some 45's and some 55's but I haven't tested them yet. I'm absolutely certain they'll be terrible in my Ruger though.
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Re: Load data for the 204 ruger

Post by NukeBOMB88 » 09 Jun 2017, 9:47 pm

Yeah mines a Ruger M77 Mkii VT with a 1-12 twist barrel
Ruger M77 Mkii VT .204
Jw-15e .22
Winchester Model 37a 12ga
Beretta Silver pigeon pump action 12ga
Howa 1500 .223
Howa 1500 .30-06
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Re: Load data for the 204 ruger

Post by bladeracer » 09 Jun 2017, 11:55 pm

NukeBOMB88 wrote:Yeah mines a Ruger M77 Mkii VT with a 1-12 twist barrel


My American Predator is 12" as well.
I don't use AR2208 in the .204 though, I use AR2206H and BM8208, and Trailboss of course.
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Re: Load data for the 204 ruger

Post by NukeBOMB88 » 10 Jun 2017, 11:18 am

bladeracer wrote:
NukeBOMB88 wrote:Yeah mines a Ruger M77 Mkii VT with a 1-12 twist barrel


My American Predator is 12" as well.
I don't use AR2208 in the .204 though, I use AR2206H and BM8208, and Trailboss of course.


Yeah fairo. I'm only using AR2208 cause it's all my local dealer has :lol:
Ruger M77 Mkii VT .204
Jw-15e .22
Winchester Model 37a 12ga
Beretta Silver pigeon pump action 12ga
Howa 1500 .223
Howa 1500 .30-06
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Re: Load data for the 204 ruger

Post by Ben78 » 10 Jun 2017, 1:55 pm

bladeracer wrote: , and Trailboss of course.


What can you tell me about the trailboss loads?
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Re: Load data for the 204 ruger

Post by bladeracer » 10 Jun 2017, 2:49 pm

Ben78 wrote:
bladeracer wrote: , and Trailboss of course.


What can you tell me about the trailboss loads?



It's awesome in everything :-)
My favorite .204 TB load is 8.5gns behind the 32gn ZMax making 2400fps.
Basically a ".22 Hornet" load.
You can shoot a hundred of these in a session without worrying about throat erosion :-)
The only thing that would make it better would be a .204 mould and gas checks!
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Re: Load data for the 204 ruger

Post by NukeBOMB88 » 21 Jun 2017, 7:09 pm

Sounds mint blade racer !

I managed to fin data for Varget powder, which is extremely similar to AR2208 and have made a load with 24.5 grains of powder. It's shooting decently with no key holing and averaging about 1 Moa
Ruger M77 Mkii VT .204
Jw-15e .22
Winchester Model 37a 12ga
Beretta Silver pigeon pump action 12ga
Howa 1500 .223
Howa 1500 .30-06
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Re: Load data for the 204 ruger

Post by bigfellascott » 21 Jun 2017, 7:55 pm

NukeBOMB88 wrote:Sounds mint blade racer !

I managed to fin data for Varget powder, which is extremely similar to AR2208 and have made a load with 24.5 grains of powder. It's shooting decently with no key holing and averaging about 1 Moa


Varget is AR2208 from memory it's just rebadged and sold in the US as Varget. :thumbsup:
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Re: Load data for the 204 ruger

Post by Cooper » 21 Jun 2017, 8:43 pm

I hope to chronograph some loads on the weekend.
I just bought some 26gr Barnes varmint grenades which should be doing around 4000fps. Read some mixed reviews about the varmint grenades, so will be interested to see how they go.

I loaded some Trailboss loads with 32 Z max the shoot quite well (8.5gr) the Trailboss is a bit annoying to get in the small case neck of the 204. But its quite doable. I like using the benchmark 8208 in full power loads. One reason is the powder is finer grain and goes through the funnel easier. I started using AR2208 but fairly quickly decided benchmark was the better powder for me. I couldn't stabilise 40gr V Max. Out of the 20inch barrel of the Howa mini action. I'll post up some speeds and loads soon.
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Re: Load data for the 204 ruger

Post by Cooper » 24 Jun 2017, 6:00 pm

image.jpeg
image.jpeg (1.38 MiB) Viewed 6976 times


Well I'm glad I only loaded up 3 varmint gernades. Started at 27.7gr benchmark as per ADI manual. Bottom right target is Varmint gernades. Two left targets 32 Zmax with Trailboss and top right it my 32gr Zmax load with 27.3gr 8208.

I also tried varmint gernades with Trailboss. Couldn't hit the target at 100metres. Pretty clear the varmint gernades have a stability problem in my rifle. You can see if you look closely at bottom right target.
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Re: Load data for the 204 ruger

Post by Cooper » 31 Jul 2017, 9:05 am

I've loaded my new Norma brass with 27.3gr of Brnchmark 8208. Good for under 1/2 an inch at 100 metres. Velocity was 3570fps urging magneto speed. Bearing in mind I only have a 20 inch barrel. I'm happy. Gun is also in an MDT LSS chassis. Houge stock was ok. Just didn't like the flex in foreend when shooting off bi pod.
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Re: Load data for the 204 ruger

Post by southwest shooter » 31 Jul 2017, 10:52 am

Ar 2208
28 grns
32 grn z max
Well under moa out of my howa heavy barrel .
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Re: Load data for the 204 ruger

Post by BBJ » 09 Aug 2017, 2:19 pm

Ben78 wrote:What can you tell me about the trailboss loads?


If you're looking at reduced loads, trailboss is a good place to start in most cases.
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Re: Load data for the 204 ruger

Post by browndog » 11 Aug 2017, 11:21 am

quickload suggests a maximum of 26.5 grains of ar2208 for 3480 fps. This load is compressed 104.2 percent full. Be careful.
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Re: Load data for the 204 ruger

Post by southwest shooter » 11 Aug 2017, 5:19 pm

browndog wrote:quickload suggests a maximum of 26.5 grains of ar2208 for 3480 fps. This load is compressed 104.2 percent full. Be careful.
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What grain projectile ?
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Re: Load data for the 204 ruger

Post by bladeracer » 12 Aug 2017, 6:20 am

southwest shooter wrote:
browndog wrote:quickload suggests a maximum of 26.5 grains of ar2208 for 3480 fps. This load is compressed 104.2 percent full. Be careful.
Browndog

What grain projectile ?


45gn as per the OP.
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