I found an old (2012) 204 Ruger thread, but I figured that instead of resurrecting that one, I'd start a new one so that we can discuss currently available powders and projectiles.
In any event, I am in the process of working up a load for my primary prairie dog gun, a Tikka T3 with an 8-twist, 26" M24 contour barrel. All load data that I post will be applicable to this rifle.
I am honing in on what will likely be the primary load for this gun, and am still debating between the 39 gr SBK and the 40 gr V-Max. I am in the 3950-ish range currently, running 29.8-29.9 gr of CFE 223 in once-fired Fiocchi cases recovered from using Fiocchi loaded ammo in this gun on its first hunt. I have found that in order to get the most out of this cartridge, running a small rifle magnum primer is a must, as the non-magnum primers show pressure signs well below maximum (book) loads. I am using CCI 450s. In my chamber, the SBKs are loaded to 2.436 OAL, which puts them .086 off the lands. The V-max projectiles are loaded to 2.332 OAL, which puts them .054 off the lands.
I am also experimenting with the Berger 55 gr Varmint projectiles, and seeing 3550-ish out of a charge of 28.4-28.6 gr of CFE 223. OAL is 2.464, which puts the projectile .074 off the lands in my gun. I'm testing a theory with this projectile currently, as I have gone somewhat off the reservation regarding the powder(s) used. On the theory that this very heavy-for-caliber bullet may need a slower burning powder, I have taken a couple of steps down the burn rate chart and loaded up a pressure ladder with LeveRevolution (27.0-27.8 gr), and another with H380 (29.0-29.5 gr).
Interestingly enough, running the numbers through ballistic calculators, it seems that the SBK/V-max at 3950 and the Berger 55 at 3550 are within .1 Mil of one another in terms of drop out to 600 yards, though the Berger carries a noticeable advantage in terms of both wind drift and energy on target. What I am half expecting to find once it's all said and done is that there will be no significant advantage to using the Berger projectile on prairie dogs, but that for larger critters (coyotes, etc...) the retained energy advantage of that bullet will demonstrate its value.
In any event, I am in the process of working up a load for my primary prairie dog gun, a Tikka T3 with an 8-twist, 26" M24 contour barrel. All load data that I post will be applicable to this rifle.
I am honing in on what will likely be the primary load for this gun, and am still debating between the 39 gr SBK and the 40 gr V-Max. I am in the 3950-ish range currently, running 29.8-29.9 gr of CFE 223 in once-fired Fiocchi cases recovered from using Fiocchi loaded ammo in this gun on its first hunt. I have found that in order to get the most out of this cartridge, running a small rifle magnum primer is a must, as the non-magnum primers show pressure signs well below maximum (book) loads. I am using CCI 450s. In my chamber, the SBKs are loaded to 2.436 OAL, which puts them .086 off the lands. The V-max projectiles are loaded to 2.332 OAL, which puts them .054 off the lands.
I am also experimenting with the Berger 55 gr Varmint projectiles, and seeing 3550-ish out of a charge of 28.4-28.6 gr of CFE 223. OAL is 2.464, which puts the projectile .074 off the lands in my gun. I'm testing a theory with this projectile currently, as I have gone somewhat off the reservation regarding the powder(s) used. On the theory that this very heavy-for-caliber bullet may need a slower burning powder, I have taken a couple of steps down the burn rate chart and loaded up a pressure ladder with LeveRevolution (27.0-27.8 gr), and another with H380 (29.0-29.5 gr).
Interestingly enough, running the numbers through ballistic calculators, it seems that the SBK/V-max at 3950 and the Berger 55 at 3550 are within .1 Mil of one another in terms of drop out to 600 yards, though the Berger carries a noticeable advantage in terms of both wind drift and energy on target. What I am half expecting to find once it's all said and done is that there will be no significant advantage to using the Berger projectile on prairie dogs, but that for larger critters (coyotes, etc...) the retained energy advantage of that bullet will demonstrate its value.
