204, Top 2 powders

MoYoBomber

MoYoBomber

New member
Getting ready to start loading for a new 204. Bullet will be 39 grain Sierra BK, primers CCI BR.

Will probably start with H4895 and am wanting to try another powder as well.

Been seeing a bit posted about BL-C2, Benchmark and some posts on TAC.

Besides the H4895 what would be a good 2nd powder to try with the 39s?
 
Code:

Code: 
Cartridge          : .204 Ruger
Bullet             : .204, 39, Sierra BlitzKing BT #1039
Useable Case Capaci: 28.052 grain H2O = 1.821 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.220 inch = 56.39 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 55000 psi, or 379 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 103 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

7 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 85%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant AR-Comp                     99.9     25.0     1.62    3685   100.0    55000    7620   0.933  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 748                      96.1     26.8     1.73    3676    98.0    55000    8387   0.936  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon CFE223                      97.9     28.2     1.83    3669    96.1    55000    8570   0.937  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4895                           103.0     26.6     1.73    3659    95.6    54337    8620   0.949  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon BL-C2                       98.5     27.8     1.80    3656    97.0    55000    8493   0.946  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 3031                           103.0     24.9     1.61    3652    99.7    51647    8201   0.958  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H322                        96.9     24.3     1.58    3649    99.5    55000    7936   0.934  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4895                      100.3     25.9     1.68    3648    96.3    55000    8412   0.945  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot BigGame                    103.0     28.4     1.84    3634    95.1    53914    8459   0.946  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H335                        91.3     25.8     1.67    3634    99.0    55000    8041   0.941  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant RL10x                       94.4     23.0     1.49    3623   100.0    55000    7540   0.947  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant RL15                       103.0     26.6     1.73    3612    94.5    53124    8434   0.960  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 8208xbr                         98.6     25.5     1.65    3610    97.0    55000    8037   0.943  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4198                            93.6     21.7     1.41    3587   100.0    55000    7040   0.927  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot X-Terminator                95.2     26.3     1.70    3565    95.4    55000    7891   0.950  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Benchmark                   97.2     24.7     1.60    3565    97.6    55000    7691   0.946  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant RL7                         88.4     22.1     1.43    3563   100.0    55000    7084   0.948  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot TAC                         97.5     27.2     1.76    3563    92.3    55000    8036   0.950  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4198                       90.2     21.9     1.42    3553    99.3    55000    7221   0.931  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4320                           103.0     26.2     1.70    3531    94.0    50484    8003   0.968  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380                       103.0     27.2     1.76    3529    92.0    50982    8187   0.984  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Varget                     103.0     25.8     1.67    3492    93.2    50065    7867   0.979  ! Near Maximum !

 
Benchmark is my "go to" powder for my 204's, with 32 and 39 gr bullets. Did some limited testing with 10x, which produced good accuracy and velocity too.
 
Originally Posted By: nr123Benchmark is my "go to" powder for my 204's, with 32 and 39 gr bullets. Did some limited testing with 10x, which produced good accuracy and velocity too.

Yeah. Benchmark worked the best for me as well. So well that it is now the only powder that I use in mine. But I have to admit that IMR 8208 did work well too. Like them both.
 
I've tried a lot of different powders in my 204, I've settled on IMR 4895 with H335 coming in second. The dang 4895 sitting on the bench through the entire process too.

It will just end up being process for you until you figure you what your gun digests the best.


Here Kitty Kitty
 
Originally Posted By: cmatera Benchmark and 8208, and try some 35 gr Bergers.

No Bergers do to the poor B.C. othertwise I have heard great things about their killing ability. A lot of our shots are 300-400 yards and I want the higher B.C. of the Sierra.

My buds all shoot the 39 Blitzking with fantastic results so that is my first choice. I am a Ballistic Tip fan myself so may toy with the 40 if the Sierras don't work out for some strange reason.

Looking like either the 8208 or Benchmark are what I may try along side of the H4895. See what is available in the local shops.
 
Originally Posted By: Jay Cummings10x !'
Yeah, Reloader 10x and SBKs....can't get much better than that. Also, 35 gr. Bergers over compressed Varget work great in all my .204s, fwiw.
 
My goto load RL10 and 39gr bking and H4895 with 35gr Berger's. I think I got 8 or 10 boxes of Berger's 35gr hp I would traded box for box on bking 39gr .
 
Back
Top