COAL - 204 Ruger

[Elliott]

Bought some new Nosler brass as the old Hornady stuff was getting passed its best.

Turned out the same powder charge of 25.6gr Vhit N530 provided the most stable groups, but I wasn't happy with 3/4" at 100 yards.

Thought I'd adjust the COAL and see what difference it made. Started with the longest 2.275" and decided that'd do!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/nRqDby7uFp3PxkL8A

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dtQroAyLNf8Pba967

[Bob6500]

Mighty group...what speed are you running at???

[Elliott]

Mighty group...what speed are you running at???

Pretty pleased with it. They were running at 3,740fps last time I checked.

[223AI]

Nice mate, what weight bullet?

[Elliott]

Nice mate, what weight bullet?

39gr Blitz. How you getting on with the new 223AI? Presumably pretty good if you've changed your user name?

[223AI]

39gr Blitz. How you getting on with the new 223AI? Presumably pretty good if you've changed your user name?

HA that was more of a personal sercurity thing, but yes loving it!

Most accurate rifle I've owned, first lot of load testing best group was around .25", 50 gr z max over exterminator. That was top powder weight I had loaded, gave 3350 fps. Not had a chance to do anything since but apparently it will push the 50's to 3600, will get around to stoking it up at some point but that load absolutely hammers foxes so I am in no rush, still playing with the 25-45 deer loads at the moment.

[Bob6500]

Pretty pleased with it. They were running at 3,740fps last time I checked.

I run the same on a tikka20"..accuracy is astounding...honestly would love to see what it's meant to do as a round but reckon I'd never get there with the shorter barrel.....happy enough

[Brickhill]

Superb group! I hope you didn't have to lie prone in that mud to make it.

I use factory Hornady Superformance VMax in my .204 Velocity at the muzzle 4225 for 1268 ft lbs. Never had so much as a twitch from anything i've shot with it but then again i've always been within 230 yards.

You have excited me to start reloading but i can't see any real benefits unless there is a cost saving? I'm shooting the Hornady rounds a just over a £1 a pop.

Roughly how many reloads can you get from a once fired Hornady case? Cheers and thanks for your post.

[Elliott]

Superb group! I hope you didn't have to lie prone in that mud to make it.

I use factory Hornady Superformance VMax in my .204 Velocity at the muzzle 4225 for 1268 ft lbs. Never had so much as a twitch from anything i've shot with it but then again i've always been within 230 yards.

You have excited me to start reloading but i can't see any real benefits unless there is a cost saving? I'm shooting the Hornady rounds a just over a £1 a pop.

Roughly how many reloads can you get from a once fired Hornady case? Cheers and thanks for your post.

Thanks. No, had a shooting mat, fortunately!

Presumably you'll be using 32gr ammo? Have you chrono'd the rounds? The 32gr stuff is fast and flat, but the 39gr Blitz have an advantage as far as wind drift is concerned. I've dropped crows out to 505 yards with mine. Admittedly in calm conditions.

In terms of cost, here's my breakdown:

- 1kg tub of Vhit N530 for £80. Good for 600 rounds, so 7.5p per round.

- 50 pieces of Nosler 204 brass for £48. Good for 10 reloads, so 9.6p per round

- 100 Nosler 39gr bullets for £30, so 30p per round

- 100 CCI 400 Primers are £5, so 5p per round.

I'm looking at 51.2p per round, so roughly half your costs. Then again, you need to factor in all your reloading gear, which I consider to be a long-term investment