Search Loads/Search Results

.204 Ruger (Berger Bullets Data)

Warning! Notes: Case trim length: 1.840"; barrel length: 26"; COAL: 2.260"; WARNING - Approach maximum loads with caution. (Berger Bullets Reloading Manual 1st Edition)

Cartridge History

.204 Ruger: Long-Range Precision with Berger Bullets

The .204 Ruger has been a favorite among varmint hunters and precision shooters since its 2004 release, thanks to its exceptional speed, flat trajectories, and low recoil. When paired with Berger’s match-grade bullets, it becomes a formidable long-range performer, offering remarkable consistency and accuracy for those who demand top-tier precision in the field or at the bench.

Berger bullets are widely respected for their high ballistic coefficients and exceptional manufacturing uniformity. In the .204 Ruger, these projectiles provide superior downrange stability, reduced wind drift, and minimal velocity variation. This combination allows shooters to confidently engage small targets at extended ranges, making it particularly appealing for prairie dog towns, coyote stands, and competitive target shooting.

Even with heavier projectiles in the 35- to 40-grain range, the .204 Ruger maintains impressive muzzle velocities—often exceeding 3,800 feet per second—giving shooters the flat-shooting performance needed for precision at distance. Berger’s sleek bullet designs enhance these ballistic advantages, ensuring excellent flight characteristics and repeatable accuracy, shot after shot.

For handloaders, Berger’s data provides an excellent starting point for load development. The combination of premium bullets and the .204 Ruger’s inherently efficient case design makes it easy to craft tailored loads that meet specific accuracy goals. Whether for match-grade precision or optimized varmint loads, reloaders will find the pairing highly responsive to fine-tuning.

In the field, the .204 Ruger loaded with Berger bullets delivers both explosive terminal performance on small game and the predictable accuracy that competitive shooters expect. Its mild recoil and extended barrel life make it a practical choice for high-volume shooting sessions, whether in open-country varminting or long-range target practice.

Overall, the .204 Ruger paired with Berger bullets represents one of the most precise and consistent small-bore setups available. It combines the cartridge’s signature speed and efficiency with Berger’s unmatched bullet design, creating a load that excels at long-range accuracy and terminal performance alike.

Source: Wolfe Publishing

Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.

Wt.	Bullet	Powder Manufacturer	Powder	Charge	Velocity (FPS)
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Alliant	RL-10X	Subscribe	3715
Remarks: start load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Alliant	RL-10X	Subscribe	4052
Remarks: max load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N130	Subscribe	3598
Remarks: start load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N130	Subscribe	3960
Remarks: max load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Accurate	AAC-2015	Subscribe	3669
Remarks: start load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Accurate	AAC-2015	Subscribe	4005
Remarks: max load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N133	Subscribe	3593
Remarks: start load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N133	Subscribe	3961
Remarks: max load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	3606
Remarks: start load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	3964
Remarks: max load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	IMR	IMR-3031	Subscribe	3624
Remarks: start load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	IMR	IMR-3031	Subscribe	3983
Remarks: max load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	3509
Remarks: start load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	3933
Remarks: max load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Norma	N-201	Subscribe	3598
Remarks: start load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Norma	N-201	Subscribe	3994
Remarks: max load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	3648
Remarks: start load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	4040
Remarks: max load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3534
Remarks: start load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3971
Remarks: max load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3543
Remarks: start load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3980
Remarks: max load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Ramshot	TAC	Subscribe	3628
Remarks: start load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Ramshot	TAC	Subscribe	4008
Remarks: max load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3660
Remarks: start load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	4066
Remarks: max load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	IMR	IMR-4895	Subscribe	3568
Remarks: start load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	IMR	IMR-4895	Subscribe	3982
Remarks: max load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N540	Subscribe	3535
Remarks: start load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N540	Subscribe	3918
Remarks: max load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	3613
Remarks: start load
30	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	4034
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	3475
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	3786
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Alliant	RL-10X	Subscribe	3512
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Alliant	RL-10X	Subscribe	3821
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Accurate	AAC-2015	Subscribe	3478
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Accurate	AAC-2015	Subscribe	3785
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	3485
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	3833
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N133	Subscribe	3409
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N133	Subscribe	3743
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	3410
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	3754
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	IMR	IMR-3031	Subscribe	3526
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	IMR	IMR-3031	Subscribe	3908
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Alliant	RL-12	Subscribe	3427
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Alliant	RL-12	Subscribe	3778
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	3409
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	3791
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Accurate	AAC-2495	Subscribe	3498
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Accurate	AAC-2495	Subscribe	3862
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Norma	N-201	Subscribe	3428
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Norma	N-201	Subscribe	3795
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3442
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3850
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3442
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3783
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	3444
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	3775
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Ramshot	TAC	Subscribe	3459
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Ramshot	TAC	Subscribe	3811
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	3401
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	3754
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3495
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3872
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N540	Subscribe	3416
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N540	Subscribe	3801
Remarks: max load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	3389
Remarks: start load
35	Berger Match Grade FB Varmint	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	3822
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Alliant	RL-10X	Subscribe	3313
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Alliant	RL-10X	Subscribe	3622
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Accurate	AAC-2015	Subscribe	3223
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Accurate	AAC-2015	Subscribe	3596
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N133	Subscribe	3224
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N133	Subscribe	3555
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	3291
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	3650
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	3230
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	3574
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	IMR	IMR-3031	Subscribe	3349
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	IMR	IMR-3031	Subscribe	3712
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	3236
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	3619
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Accurate	AAC-2495	Subscribe	3328
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Accurate	AAC-2495	Subscribe	3673
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Norma	N-201	Subscribe	3258
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Norma	N-201	Subscribe	3610
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3342
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3667
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N135	Subscribe	3321
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N135	Subscribe	3627
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	3235
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	3574
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	3272
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	3602
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Ramshot	TAC	Subscribe	3290
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Ramshot	TAC	Subscribe	3630
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	IMR	IMR-4895	Subscribe	3316
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	IMR	IMR-4895	Subscribe	3687
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	IMR	IMR-4064	Subscribe	3244
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	IMR	IMR-4064	Subscribe	3605
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3232
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3612
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3330
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3691
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Alliant	RL-15	Subscribe	3276
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Alliant	RL-15	Subscribe	3658
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	3300
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	3645
Remarks: max load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	H-414	Subscribe	3225
Remarks: start load
40	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	H-414	Subscribe	3610
Remarks: max load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Accurate	AAC-2015	Subscribe	3016
Remarks: start load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Accurate	AAC-2015	Subscribe	3265
Remarks: max load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N133	Subscribe	2953
Remarks: start load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N133	Subscribe	3229
Remarks: max load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	2981
Remarks: start load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	3261
Remarks: max load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	IMR	IMR-3031	Subscribe	3093
Remarks: start load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	IMR	IMR-3031	Subscribe	3381
Remarks: max load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	2934
Remarks: start load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3237
Remarks: max load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Accurate	AAC-2495	Subscribe	3019
Remarks: start load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Accurate	AAC-2495	Subscribe	3338
Remarks: max load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Norma	N-201	Subscribe	2952
Remarks: start load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Norma	N-201	Subscribe	3300
Remarks: max load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N135	Subscribe	3010
Remarks: start load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N135	Subscribe	3295
Remarks: max load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	2968
Remarks: start load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3295
Remarks: max load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	2967
Remarks: start load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	3289
Remarks: max load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3032
Remarks: start load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3360
Remarks: max load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Alliant	RL-15	Subscribe	3052
Remarks: start load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Alliant	RL-15	Subscribe	3350
Remarks: max load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	H-414	Subscribe	2919
Remarks: start load
50	Berger Match Grade BT Varmint	Hodgdon	H-414	Subscribe	3265
Remarks: max load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Accurate	AAC-2015	Subscribe	2854
Remarks: start load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Accurate	AAC-2015	Subscribe	3108
Remarks: max load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Vihtavuori	VV-N133	Subscribe	2852
Remarks: start load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Vihtavuori	VV-N133	Subscribe	3085
Remarks: max load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	2878
Remarks: start load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	3116
Remarks: max load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	IMR	IMR-3031	Subscribe	2936
Remarks: start load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	IMR	IMR-3031	Subscribe	3228
Remarks: max load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Accurate	AAC-2495	Subscribe	2867
Remarks: start load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Accurate	AAC-2495	Subscribe	3188
Remarks: max load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Norma	N-201	Subscribe	2867
Remarks: start load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Norma	N-201	Subscribe	3167
Remarks: max load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Vihtavuori	VV-N135	Subscribe	2859
Remarks: start load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Vihtavuori	VV-N135	Subscribe	3147
Remarks: max load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	2885
Remarks: start load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3212
Remarks: max load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	2879
Remarks: start load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	3156
Remarks: max load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	2885
Remarks: start load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3218
Remarks: max load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	2900
Remarks: start load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3183
Remarks: max load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Alliant	RL-15	Subscribe	2908
Remarks: start load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Alliant	RL-15	Subscribe	3211
Remarks: max load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Hodgdon	H-414	Subscribe	2851
Remarks: start load
55	Berger Match Grade BT Long	Hodgdon	H-414	Subscribe	3214
Remarks: max load