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Re: factory 23" tc contender bbl 204 ruger flop [message #15767 is a reply to message #15749]

Tue, 06 November 2012 14:07

kimbo
Messages: 286
Registered: October 2011
Location: Pennsylvania

Forum Regular

Hey Fish, Kimbo here in Pa. I know this doesn't pertain to the contenders but I shoot the 204 in a 28" SS PH fluted. I get deadly results from the factory 32gr. Hornady's that I got off of www.natchezss.com when they had that clearance sale. I don't reload much just due to time and this round is fairly expensive. I couldn't beat natchezss on their deal for the case on their clearout sale so I bought it. Actually, I stumbled on this round by accident. I originally started out with a 28" SS PH fluted in 17HMR. I've been doing a little extermination work on the farm here with it out to 375 yards. No doubt the round reaches out there but I've had a few sneak away on me.. I got to chattin with "dave22250" just 3 hrs west of me in Pa. that had one of those 204 Ruger, I think in a pistol configuration. Told me about how accurate they were and the thumping power. So I bought my first PH 28" in SS fluted. Absolutely love it!!!! I'm talking reach out and touch them!!! Now, I'm a freezer man myself and eat all my chucks so I couldn't use something that turns them into Hamburg. I didn't like hitting them with my Mod.700 in 22/250, swift or 25/06. Too much "scattergood". These 204's are nice, reach out and touch them at 375yds w/ little damage. Liked them so much, got another barrel in W.S. from another member for the old man. Attached pic from a little 204 action! Got this one on the upper soy field above the farm. Looks like he was indulging himself at the buffet or perhaps a little pork chop express!!! LOL!!! Kimbo

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Re: factory 23" tc contender bbl 204 ruger flop [message #15777 is a reply to message #15767]

Tue, 06 November 2012 20:30

fishcoho
Messages: 63
Registered: October 2012
Location: yk delta

Novice Contributor

thanks for the info there kimbo. if you are talking 'off the shelf' loaded ammo, i can't order them due to shipping restrictions. many sporting goods shops down states will not ship loaded ammo to rural alaska. up here in the bush off the roadway system, our stores have retail goods shipped via air cargo aircraft. a box of remington 30/30 150 gr rn here runs about 39.99 a box. thats right, "holy crap!". i started reloading for my fathers, brothers guns and for myself back in the 80's. and i never paid for any center fire ammo off the rack since then (with the exception of shotgun ammo and rimfire rounds). when i'm low on primers/powder, i call anchorage retailers and have them drop off to an airline cargo carrier. then i pay for the freight and hazmat shipping fee delivered at my location. that in itself is spendy but in the long run, it's hell of alot cheaper than purchasing localy....

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Re: factory 23" tc contender bbl 204 ruger flop [message #15780 is a reply to message #15777]

Tue, 06 November 2012 20:50

kimbo
Messages: 286
Registered: October 2011
Location: Pennsylvania

Forum Regular

Hey Fish, my bad.... Wow, I didn't realize things cost so much out there in Alaska. I'm clear over on the other side of the states in Pa. I didn't know that most places won't ship to you either, man that must be a bummer!! Mad

Well, I don't have a whole lot of experience with the 204 Ruger as I started shooting my 28" SS PH since the beginning of the summer. I like the round though, it is seriously fast and as you can see takes out the old woodchucks on the farm without making them into hamburg.
The bad thing about this round is the expense!!!!! That is why I am a fan of off the shelf calibers (i.e. 270, 308, -06, 243, etc..).
But I do buy a lot from Natchezss.com just due to their specials and case pricing. I am aware that they do not do business in some states but they do save me a "bundle" on their ammo, nikon refurb's and Leupold blem's.
I hope you like the pics posted of my 204 action. Nice to meet you BTW. Kimbo.

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Re: factory 23" tc contender bbl 204 ruger flop [message #15783 is a reply to message #15780]

Tue, 06 November 2012 21:47

fishcoho
Messages: 63
Registered: October 2012
Location: yk delta

Novice Contributor

Yup, very expensive. A gallon unleaded gasoline $7.49. We try and do things around here conservatively. Minimize waist. A well placed shot on a bull moose means food on the table and fewer trips into the field.

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Re: factory 23" tc contender bbl 204 ruger flop [message #15792 is a reply to message #15783]

Wed, 07 November 2012 11:00

dave22250
Messages: 160
Registered: January 2012
Location: S.W.Pa.

Junior Member

Fish,RE15,win.748,benchmark,IMR 4198 are all good powders,but the RE15 was the most accurate for me,and I was'nt happy with that untill I used a federal 205m primer,the rem 7 1/2 did'nt do it for me,and 10,000 off lands, anything closer to the lands the groups opened up.

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Re: factory 23" tc contender bbl 204 ruger flop [message #15815 is a reply to message #15792]

Wed, 07 November 2012 21:37

fishcoho
Messages: 63
Registered: October 2012
Location: yk delta

Novice Contributor

Thanks for the info dave22250, set up few rounds with imr 4064. Max COL nosler 32 gr ballistic tip and nos lead free 32 gr. got a bottle copper solvent today. See if I can get most fouling out. Pop the rounds this weekend. Prob switch back and forth between h 335 and imr 4064 with different bullets got in. Just not a lot of time now to get something working busy construction job. On finis work now. Have lots time when over. I'll cut down on chatter and just post reloading progress from here on out. Thanks again.. Fish

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Re: factory 23" tc contender bbl 204 ruger flop [message #15946 is a reply to message #15815]

Mon, 12 November 2012 20:23

fishcoho
Messages: 63
Registered: October 2012
Location: yk delta

Novice Contributor

after cleaning out my 204 ruger bbl with copper solvent and firing the loads with imr 4064, here are the results;

hornady case, fed 205 gm, nosler 32 gr ballistic tip (the older type, the newer one has pictures on the box with varmints printed and shows the bullet at stages with fps, i wonder why nosler changed the 32 gr?)
COL 2.350", 4-12 x 44 scope set at 12, three shot groups;
imr 4064
26.2gr = .456"
26.6gr = 1.075"
27.0gr = .926"

after this string of rounds, i shot the nosler 32 gr lead free with the same COL and imr 4064 powder weights with poor results. there were at least 5" spreads in the test and not worth posting. the slower 12" twist cannot stabilize the longer bullets.

this was just the first test using imr 4064 powder but the groups show promise. there are no pressure signs with the primers. i stopped at 27.0gr using the imr 4064 powder because the case was near maxed out, although the test showed the groups got tighter with 27.0grs and could have loaded heavier until pressure signs showed.

this factory 23" 204 ruger bbl may not be a flop after all...

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Re: factory 23" tc contender bbl 204 ruger flop [message #16182 is a reply to message #15946]

Wed, 21 November 2012 18:44

fishcoho
Messages: 63
Registered: October 2012
Location: yk delta

Novice Contributor

winchester brass, fed 205 gm, imr 4064 powder;

barnes varmint grenade 26 gr hp = 3/4" best group

midway usa dogtown 34 gr hp = just under 1" best group

100 yds, both 26.2 gr imr 4064. go figure

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Re: factory 23" tc contender bbl 204 ruger flop [message #16184 is a reply to message #16182]

Wed, 21 November 2012 19:09

dave22250
Messages: 160
Registered: January 2012
Location: S.W.Pa.

Junior Member

Fish,I have'nt heardanyone having good results with the nosler lead free bullets,I would try the hornady or the berger 35 grn hp,that from what I hear is one of the most accurate in the .204.If you can't get them maybe someone can send you some to try.also what powders do you have and can get,maybe I can send some published data for you.Dave

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Re: factory 23" tc contender bbl 204 ruger flop [message #16189 is a reply to message #15353]

Wed, 21 November 2012 21:06

mimccammon
Messages: 27
Registered: November 2010
Location: NV IN.

Forum Newbie

fishcoho, Peanut here on this end . Read your posts on your t/c .204ruger, I have the prohunter encore .204 barrel its like a big tuning fork longer the barrel the more vibration when it goes bang. I used the H-335 in it hornady 32gr. v-max ,didn't shoot worth a dime. I switch to imr-4064 winchester brass, 32gr. v-max shot alright. Then switch to IMR-8208 XBR 28.0 grs.,Sierra #1032 32gr.BK, CCI 400 primer,c.o.l. 2.350" shoots groups at 100 yards less than 1/4". Peanut

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Re: factory 23" tc contender bbl 204 ruger flop [message #16190 is a reply to message #16184]

Wed, 21 November 2012 21:10

fishcoho
Messages: 63
Registered: October 2012
Location: yk delta

Novice Contributor

whats up dave, construction job over. started punching rounds down range. think the bbl slowly plaining out. i've shot the nosler 32 gr bt (the original shorter one), the new nosler 32 gr bt (longer one),nosler 32 gr lead free, midway usa dogtown 34 gr hp, barnes varmint grenade 26 gr. i havent tried the barnes varminator 32 gr hp yet. that one will be next.

best groups with;

nosler 32gr bt (shorter one)under 1/2"
barnes varmint grenade 26 gr hp 3/4"
midway usa dogtown 34 gr hp under 1"

i ordered a box of the nosler 32 gr bt which had the tightest group with my barrel so far but when it came in, it was a new verson, longer and from what the picture's on the box showing bullet at fps, more distuctive. that was a bummer. if i knew it would have been this verson, i would not have ordered it cause i hasn't preformed like the original one. i don't think i'll try the remington accutip 40 gn'er.

the powders i have; imr 4350, imr 4064, h 335, win 296 and the accurate 1680. i get my powders/primers from anchorage, i call in when im running low and they have it dropped off to an airline carrier. but, it's a hit or miss with whats stocked on the shelves over there.

when i have tried the barnes varminator 32 gr hp, i'll have a good idea what works and start stocking up on rounds, trapping season has started here. the groups under 1" should be good enough for my shooting practices. i don't like to lob rounds down range for any of my hunting purposes. these should be good enough up to 200 yds for the critters around here. but, i'm always looking for "better than" and will try it out...fish

[Updated on: Wed, 21 November 2012 21:29]

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Re: factory 23" tc contender bbl 204 ruger flop [message #16191 is a reply to message #16189]

Wed, 21 November 2012 21:23

fishcoho
Messages: 63
Registered: October 2012
Location: yk delta

Novice Contributor

thanks for the info peanut, i wish i could go down to the local sporting good's store and pick up some other powders/primers but when you live in rural alaska, there isn't one. i call in to anchorage's shops and ask what they have on the shelves. if they dont have what i used with decent accuracy, i bite the bullet and scroll down load data's info for a particular round and hope for the best. thats another reason why i personally don't like lobbing rounds down range. i try and get up close and personal every time. i'll make due with the imr 4064 for now. think i'll order some hornady's and sierra's 32's next. give them a try. thanks again, fish

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