After several days of work with the new 204 Ruger, I was able to achieve, safely!, today, the following velocities:
High = 4273; Low = 4206; Average = 4240. I was using a Ruger #1 with a 26inch barrel, VhitaVouri N135 powder, CCI BR primers, and Hornady 32gr V-Max bullets. My chronograph was set 10 feet from the muzzle and there were 9 shots in each of the 2 chronographed strings that I measured. The highs and lows of the two strings varied a few fps, but the average was exactly the same! My best 5 shot group at 100 yards with this load was 3/4 inch CTC.

This is the real deal, fellow enthusiasts.

gunwriter

After a week of working with the new caliber, today I safely achieved, an average, over 2 nine shot strings, of 4240fps. Using VhitaVouri N135 powder, CCIBR primers, Hornady brass, and Hornady 32gr VMax bullets. Ruger #1 with a 26 inch barrel; chrono set up 10 feet from the end of the barrel. This load turned a 3/4 inch CTC group as well.

Looks like the real deal, folks!

gunwriter

Threads merged. Please don't double post - although I'm certainly looking forward to hearing more about your project with the .204.

Threads merged. Please don't double post - although I'm certainly looking forward to hearing more about your project with the .204.

Pardon my double post.

gunwriter

Gunwriter,

I am looking forward to getting my 204 when they get available. My distributors keep telling me the same stories about lack of product. I am wanting to get the Heavy barrel varmit with the grey barrel. My brother and I would like to get consecutive serial #'s if at all possible. I will develop loads . If the barrel length is the same as your #1, I'll work up to your loads and see what speed I get and precision.

Gunwriter,

I am looking forward to getting my 204 when they get available. My distributors keep telling me the same stories about lack of product. I am wanting to get the Heavy barrel varmit with the grey barrel. My brother and I would like to get consecutive serial #'s if at all possible. I will develop loads . If the barrel length is the same as your #1, I'll work up to your loads and see what speed I get and precision.

Shooter22,

It my understanding that all the heavy barreled Ruger#1's in 204 Ruger will be 26 inchers, so there's no reason you can't replicate my velocities. Now as far as accuracy is concerned, as you well know, each firearm is different, and while the particular one I have is giving me excellent accuracy at a particular load of powder, there's no guarantee that you'll have the same results. It may be the a few tenths of a grain on either side is what your unique rifle "likes." I'll look forward to hearing about your results.

gunwriter

22 -

Seems I read where the firearms are supposed to be available in September or so.

Midsouth is taking orders for the ammo now and placing them on "back-order".

22 -

Seems I read where the firearms are supposed to be available in September or so.

Midsouth is taking orders for the ammo now and placing them on "back-order".

kdub,

They may be available even sooner than that! Like about 60 days from now. And the 32gr ammo is already on the shelves around here.

I shot some of my hand loaded 30gr Bergers this morning: hi of 4357; low of 4246; average of 4293. 7/8ths inch group of 5 @100 yards. And some new hot loads for the 32gr Hornady logged 4301;4232;4267; group size of 1 1/16th inch. I'm all out of case capacity with the VVN135.

gunwriter

If a faster powder is needed due to filled case capacity, might look at BL-C(2), H335, AA2230 and Hodgdon Benchmark.

Of these, the AA2230 and Benchmark would be my first samplings as both are known for exceptional accuracy, plus relatively easy to find on the shelves.

Are you going to try for the magical 4500 fps "barrier"? Wonder how the bullets would hold together?

If a faster powder is needed due to filled case capacity, might look at BL-C(2), H335, AA2230 and Hodgdon Benchmark.

Of these, the AA2230 and Benchmark would be my first samplings as both are known for exceptional accuracy, plus relatively easy to find on the shelves.

Are you going to try for the magical 4500 fps "barrier"? Wonder how the bullets would hold together?

kdub,

Thanks for the powder recommendations. I'll exercise a couple of them, since I have them all on the bench.

As you can see, I'm a mere 143 fps away from the magic 4500, but my objective was to see if I could safely achieve the unachievable (per Ruger and Hornady) 4225fps with the current crop of off-the-shelf powders. Done did it, I reckon, so now I'll focus on accuracy. Walt Berger and Team Hornady say their bullets will stand up to 4500fps. I wonder how fast they'll be spinning at that velocity down a 1:12 barrel? I'll let some other folks slay the 4500 Dragon while I try to put 'em all in one hole at a lower velocity.

gunwriter

Gunwriter,


Now that is my type of reloading and shooting! :D One holers. I am very aware of the fine tuning for different rifles. Been loading to tenths for some time now. What a difference it makes.

[QUOTE=gunwriter]kdub,
I wonder how fast they'll be spinning at that velocity down a 1:12 barrel?

I think I can answer this!
Velocity(muzzle) = Acceleration (in barrel) X time (in barrel) therefore A = V/T
Position (@muzzle) = 1/2 Acceleration by time squared or
X=(1/2)AxTxT

Making the substitution of V/T for A:
X =(1/2)(V/T)(TxT) or simplified X=(VT)/2 or simplified more T=(2X)/V

Position (X) at the muzzle is 26 inch barrel length/12 inches per foot or X = 2.167 feet from chamber.
velocity at muzzle is 4500 ft/sec

So, the time the bullet is in barrel T = (2x2.167)/4500 = .000963 sec.

Barrel length 26 inches / 12 inches per twist = 2.167 turns per .000963 sec.

Therefore the ratio of 2.167 turns per .000963 seconds is equal to the ratio of ..........TA DA ......

2250.26 turns per one second.

Even faster than my head is spinning right now... :o)

Wouldn't question your math equations for a minute, Murdo - :D

My calculator says that comes to around 135,000 RPM!!!!!!! :eek:

No wonder your head is spinning!

Wouldn't question your math equations for a minute, Murdo - :D

My calculator says that comes to around 135,000 RPM!!!!!!! :eek:

No wonder your head is spinning!

kdub, you and murdo need to get it together, for the benefit of us folk who don't do math (except for check book balancing). The questions I have are: is it proper to assume that the projectile goes immediately from 0 to 4500fps, without using any of the barrel as acceleration runway? So, if it takes a half inch of barrel to get up to speed, wouldn't that effect the final rpms? It has only 25 1/2 inchs of rifling with which to deal in this scenario. I'm not sure any of this really means much, but I wonder, as the speed increases, at what point the bullet might literally fly apart from the centrifical force being put on it; and what will happen when that happens??

gunwriter

Guys! It just isn't that complicated. The bullet is spinning at the rate of the rifling; one rotation for each foot it travels.

If it is travelling 4,500 fps it will spin 4,500 times per second or 270,000 RPM.

Guys! It just isn't that complicated. The bullet is spinning at the rate of the rifling; one rotation for each foot it travels.

If it is travelling 4,500 fps it will spin 4,500 times per second or 270,000 RPM.

So, Kanuck, I've gotten three different answers for the same question. Unfortunately, I don't know enough math to challenge any of them! Your answer seems the most straight forward and simple. And you're saying, if I understand it correctly, that how long it's in the barrel is immaterial. The key is the velocity as it leaves, regardless of length of barrel, do I have it right?

gunwriter

Guys! It just isn't that complicated. The bullet is spinning at the rate of the rifling; one rotation for each foot it travels.

If it is travelling 4,500 fps it will spin 4,500 times per second or 270,000 RPM.

Your correct. That was very intuitive of you, since by coincidence the 1-12 twist is the same as one turn in one foot.

I found it puzzling that my number was exactly 1/2 what it should have been. I reviewed my old physics note book and the kniematic equation I used was for trajectory. The 1/2 coming from the vertical ( not horizontal) rise and fall of a projectile.

So, Kanuck, I've gotten three different answers for the same question. Unfortunately, I don't know enough math to challenge any of them! Your answer seems the most straight forward and simple. And you're saying, if I understand it correctly, that how long it's in the barrel is immaterial. The key is the velocity as it leaves, regardless of length of barrel, do I have it right?

gunwriter

Think of it this way, once the bullet exits the muzzle the barrel no longer has any affect upon bullet. Only external forces such as gravity & wind resistance.

Also, once the bullet exits the barrel, nature of the cartridge case, gun powder etc, no longer has any affect on the bullet

Actually, I have been a ballistics nut since I first read Jack O'Conner 30 years ago. The fact that I am now in the military and that I spent the better part of a year becoming qualified as an Instructor In Gunnery didn't hurt either. Ballistics was the fun part of the course for me!

Actually, I have been a ballistics nut since I first read Jack O'Conner 30 years ago. The fact that I am now in the military and that I spent the better part of a year becoming qualified as an Instructor In Gunnery didn't hurt either. Ballistics was the fun part of the course for me!

Thanks, Kanuck/Murdo;

Now the question becomes: at what rotational speed will any given projectile start to come apart? I wonder if the ballistics folks at the various bullet manufacturers develop a "terminal spin rate" for each of their bullets? I'm not sure I'd like to be 2 feet away from one when it happened!

gunwriter