204 Ruger Range Test

[Dean2]

I bought this rifle earlier this month from Flipper62, who hails from Drayton valley. He was a great guy to do business with. He told me one un-truth however, he said the gun shot in the .6s or .7s. The gun shoots a hell of a lot better than that, though to be fair he was only shooting factory Hornady ammo through it. Here are the results from the first range test yesterday.

8208, in Hornady weight sorted brass (which it badly needs as there was just under 13 grains variation in the 150 cases I started with), CCI 400 primer, 35grain Berger at 2.350 LOA. Gun, as bought from Flipper62 - Rem 700 SPS, 22" light sporter floated barrel, replaced on warranty by David Henry, in the factory stock with glass bedding. Action has been trued, lugs lapped and trigger done. Bushnell 6x24x40 scope.

All groups are edge to edge, not deducting bullet diameter. Max deviation = highest velocity - lowest velocity. Beautiful sunny day. Temperature -10 C. Almost zero wind. All targets 100 yards.

27.6 grains 3804 FPS max deviation 19 fps. Average of groups .75

27.9 grains 3883 FPS max deviation 46 fps. Average of groups .325

28.2 grains 3950 FPS max deviation 22 fps. Average of groups .410

40 Grain Nosler at 2.40 LOA, rest of the recipe is the same.

27.3 grains 3855 FPS max deviation 6 fps. Average of groups .310

39 grain Blitzking at 2.40 LOA, again the rest of the recipe is the same.

27.3 grains 3792 FPS max deviation 102 fps. Average of groups .925

I am very happy with both the speed, consistency and accurracy of the 8208 loads, and none of them are showing pressure signs. Since I hhave quite a bit of this powder I believe I will stick to it for now. I plan to retest the max loads this summer to check for temp sensitivity by looking at changes in speed/pressure.

Both the Bergers and the Noslers grouped well with virtually no load development. The Sierra BKs would need more work. They are known as the "go to" bullet in the 204 but they are $5 a hundred more than Nosler or Hornady, as are the Bergers, and for high volume shooting that makes a difference.

As soon as there are some in stock locally, I am going to get a box of V-maxs in the different weights and try them. The Hornadays are the least expensive, best B.C. and my favourite bullet if I can get them to shoot. If they don't, the Noslers are very close to the same price and shoot excellent. Has anyone used the Noslers on gophers, versus the terminal effects of the V-max or BKs?

[Deer Hunter]

Nice, got to love when load development is a one stop shop.

Were they all three shot groups?

[Dean2]

Yes, all three shot groups. I had only loaded 20 of each. I used up about half of each load doing quick fire speed testing while you were there and was not worried about groups. After you left, a bunch of others did to, and there were only two of us left shooting. It was easier to adjust the Chrono, set up new targets etc. Did some slow fire work over the chrono after I put in the new battery and re-aligned it to better fit with the target, so to get enough groups per load, after the quick fire speed testing, I was only doing three.

[flipper62]

Wow Dean that's awesome to read your report and happy the gun is working as promised. The scope I had on it wasn't the best so I was thinking of trying another one. (Actually I live in Rocky Mountain House but that's okay)

Regards
Phil
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[wolf308]

hey ive had awesome luck with my 204 coyote slayer too. with sierras 32 gr blitzkings,hornady cases and 29.5 gr of varget sizzling out of my rem 700 sps varmint at 4125 fps , i put 4 shots in the same hole at 100 with a rest. if you subtract the diameter of the bullet the groups came to .098" . absoulutley love my 204 and now the problem is i try to get my other handloads all to stack up with the groupings like that. love that cartridge. have dusted coyotes from 25 to 400 yards and 1 shot gopher kills at 310 and 316 yards(with heat mirage like a mofo). big 204 fan here! mine doesnt like nosler boat tails though or heavier bullets it seems.