204 Ruger powder

[Ttocs]

About to start reloading for my 204 Ruger (T3 lite stainless) using Sierras in 32 and 39gr, Hornady brass and Rem 71/2 primers. I’ve some Vhit N135 but read on American forums Vhit powders lead to split necks on the 204R. I’ve read that 10X is a good option; has anyone on here used it in their Tikka. Vhit N530 seems to give good velocity (not sure if the neck splitting is a problem with this Vhit. powder) then there’s Alliant Varmint. I’m trying to avoid Hodgdon and IMR following the 2018 import restrictions.
High velocity would be nice but accuracy is more important to me. Has anyone any experience / advice they can offer me; I don’t want to spend hundreds buying tubs of poewder I’ll not use.
Cheers
Ttocs

 

[Neoublie1]

Well, I’ve got a 24” barrel 1:10, my loads are,
39 Sierra blitzkings
27.2g of XBR 8208
Remmi 71/2 primers
Lapua brass ( I’m sure any good brass is just as good)
Accuracy is phenomenal!!!
I’m getting an average of 3815 FPS.
I know 10x is very good if you can’t get hold of XBR 8208 and once I’ve run out of XBR I definitely will be going over to10x.

 

[purdeydog]

I use 10x in my 204 T3X with 39SBK. Tired N133, N140 and IMR 4895 all no good. 10x shot the flattest for me. Accurate and consistent.

 

[palo]

How could anyone say that a type of powder caused split necks.
I'm using vit n135 with good results

 

[SussexFallow]

39 grain sbk 25.2 reloader 10x

 

[palo]

Well, I’ve got a 24” barrel 1:10, my loads are,
39 Sierra blitzkings
27.2g of XBR 8208
Remmi 71/2 primers
Lapua brass ( I’m sure any good brass is just as good)
Accuracy is phenomenal!!!
I’m getting an average of 3815 FPS.
I know 10x is very good if you can’t get hold of XBR 8208 and once I’ve run out of XBR I definitely will be going over to10x.

Lapua don't make brass for the 204

 

[Neddle]

I've tried N133 N140 and a 20 year old tub of RL12 all work well, will be trying Varget or Vectan shortly, I suspect over worked brass is the reason for split cases, I'm using Remmy brass and Hornady, it's easier to get neck tension with Remmy brass, Hornady seems to be thinner

 

[Neoublie1]

Lapua don't make brass for the 204

My apologies you are right and I stand corrected sir, I've just checked and it's Norma brass I have for the .204
And Lapua for the 6.5 creed.
Thank you for pointing it out.

 

[andy R204]

Ran a .204 for a few years now & tried most of the powders in the .20 cal range.When I had a factory 12 twist barrel R10x & H322 did give the best results.
I had it re barrelled with a LW 10 twist & the powders that gave the best results were H4895 & N140 with 40gr Vmax & 50gr Bergers.
Don't know about split necks with Viht powders??You should get good results with N133, N135 in a standard factory gun.
Hope that helps

 

[PeterH]

Never heard of split necks attributable to Vihtavuori powders. I use N133 in my Tac and other 204's with N133 behind 39 gr SBK's mostly using Nosler brass with no issues.
I am out of date no doubt but unaware that Norma make 204 brass

 

[palo]

Never heard of split necks attributable to Vihtavuori powders. I use N133 in my Tac and other 204's with N133 behind 39 gr SBK's mostly using Nosler brass with no issues.
I am out of date no doubt but unaware that Norma make 204 brass

Norma actually make the nosler brass your using now.

 

[Neoublie1]

norma is expensive though. But it's good brass, never tried any other to be fair so can't comment on quality
Are the other any good? Or cheaper?

 

[palo]

I always used Winchester and it seems good enough.
I always wanted to try the Norma stuff but just can't cough up the price for it.
I got a deal on some Remington stuff recently but didn't use it yet.

 

[griffshrek]

10X

 

[Cyres]

Well reloaded 50 .204 yesterday. 39 BK Winchester brass, rem 7.5 small rifle primers, 20.5 grn Reloader 10 x . 2.250 col. Mine runs at 3550 fps.

BLC 2 works well with 32 grn BK.

D

 

[big ears]

Use N133 with 39gr BK never had s split neck. Deadly accurate.

 

[Ttocs]

Thanks for the replies; keep them coming.

 

[Cyres]

Sorry made mistake, should read 25.2 grn 10x

D

 

[Neddle]

Well reloaded 50 .204 yesterday. 39 BK Winchester brass, rem 7.5 small rifle primers, 20.5 grn Reloader 10 x . 2.250 col. Mine runs at 3550 fps.

BLC 2 works well with 32 grn BK.

D

What is your barrel length

 

[Dazb1967]

I tested a few rounds yesterday in my Tikka T3X 20'' barrel
27grn N135, 39BK with Hornady brass and Federal primers and averaging 3550fps, also tested the same with 32BK and averaged 3650fps
I also tested 3 factory rounds Hornady Superformance 32 and they were at 3753fps