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.204 Ruger (Hodgdon Data)

Warning! Notes: Case: Hornady; barrel length: 24"; twist: 1:12"; trim length: 1.840"; primer: Federal 205M; bullet diam.: .204"; Small Rifle Match. NEVER EXCEED MAXIMUM LOADS. (Hodgdon 2015 Annual Manual)

Cartridge History

.204 Ruger: Versatile Load Development with Hodgdon Data

The .204 Ruger, introduced in 2004 by Hornady and Ruger, remains a top-tier choice for shooters who need high speed, excellent accuracy, and low recoil in a small-bore cartridge. When combined with Hodgdon powders, the .204 Ruger becomes even more versatile, giving handloaders a wide range of propellant options to fine-tune loads for varmint hunting, precision shooting, and extended-range applications.

Hodgdon offers an extensive selection of powders suitable for the .204 Ruger, each providing unique benefits for different shooting goals. From fast-burning options for lightweight 32- and 34-grain projectiles to slower powders ideal for stabilizing 39- and 40-grain bullets at longer distances, these propellants allow reloaders to extract the maximum potential from the cartridge. Many of Hodgdon’s powders also feature excellent temperature stability, ensuring consistent velocities and pressures across a wide range of field conditions.

Performance with Hodgdon powders keeps the .204 Ruger at the forefront of small-bore cartridges. With proper load development, shooters can achieve velocities exceeding 4,000 feet per second with lighter bullets and near-3,900 feet per second with heavier options—all while maintaining the cartridge’s signature flat trajectory and mild recoil. These qualities make it exceptionally well-suited for both high-volume varmint shooting and precise, deliberate long-range work.

For handloaders, the .204 Ruger’s efficient case design pairs naturally with Hodgdon propellants, making load development straightforward and rewarding. Whether optimizing for speed, accuracy, or barrel life, the wide selection of Hodgdon powders provides the flexibility needed to craft loads tailored to specific rifles and applications. This adaptability makes the cartridge an excellent choice for shooters who value precision and consistency in their handloads.

In the field, Hodgdon-powered .204 Ruger loads deliver the explosive terminal performance varmint hunters expect, along with the accuracy necessary for ethical and effective long-range shots. On the bench, the consistency of these powders helps shooters maintain tight groupings and predictable performance session after session.

Overall, the .204 Ruger paired with Hodgdon powders offers an unbeatable combination of speed, stability, and adaptability. It remains one of the most versatile and rewarding cartridges for handloaders and hunters who want reliable performance across a wide variety of conditions and applications.

Source: Wolfe Publishing

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

Wt.	Bullet	Powder Manufacturer	Powder	Charge	Velocity (FPS)
24	Hornady NTX	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	4184
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.290"; 47,100 psi
24	Hornady NTX	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	4456
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.290"; 55,200 psi
24	Hornady NTX	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	4061
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.290"; 43,400 psi
24	Hornady NTX	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	4423
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.290"; 54,900 psi
24	Hornady NTX	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	3997
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.290"; 40,600 psi
24	Hornady NTX	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	4447
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.290"; 56,000 psi
24	Hornady NTX	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	4109
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.290"; 45,500 psi
24	Hornady NTX	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	4373
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.290"; 54,500 psi
24	Hornady NTX	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	4143
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.290"; 48,700 psi
24	Hornady NTX	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	4358
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.290"; 56,000 psi
24	Hornady NTX	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	4166
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.290"; 48,200 psi
24	Hornady NTX	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	4383
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.290"; 54,900 psi
24	Hornady NTX	Hodgdon	H-4198	Subscribe	4294
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.290"; 54,100 psi
24	Hornady NTX	Hodgdon	H-4198	Subscribe	4400
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.290"; 56,600 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	IMR	IMR-4166	Subscribe	3869
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 49,500 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	Hodgdon	CFE 223	Subscribe	4067
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 46,300 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	IMR	IMR-4166	Subscribe	4064
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.250"; 55,500 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	Hodgdon	CFE 223	Subscribe	4282
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 52,600 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3962
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 47,500 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	4110
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.250"; 51,000 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	4004
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 47,200 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	4173
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 52,700 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	IMR	IMR-4895	Subscribe	3934
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 47,100 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	IMR	IMR-4895	Subscribe	4169
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.250"; 54,700 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	4149
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 52,200 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	4278
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 54,900 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	4067
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 48,900 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	4302
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.250"; 57,300 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	4132
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 48,400 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	4309
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.250"; 54,900 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	4036
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 47,600 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	4279
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 56,700 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	4055
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 52,200 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	4229
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 57,100 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	4015
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 49,400 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	4257
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 56,700 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	Hodgdon	H-4198	Subscribe	4124
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 54,100 psi
26	Barnes VG FB	Hodgdon	H-4198	Subscribe	4258
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 57,300 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	Hodgdon	CFE 223	Subscribe	3761
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.235"; 40,700 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	Hodgdon	CFE 223	Subscribe	4202
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.235"; 57,000 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3640
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.235"; 41,300 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	4028
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.235"; 55,200 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	3748
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.235"; 43,300 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	4073
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.235"; 55,200 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	IMR	IMR-4895	Subscribe	3687
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.235"; 44,500 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	IMR	IMR-4895	Subscribe	4024
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.235"; 56,600 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	3814
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.235"; 48,200 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	4054
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.235"; 57,300 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3800
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.235"; 44,500 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	4124
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.235"; 56,800 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	3798
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.235"; 44,500 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	4118
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.235"; 56,400 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	3754
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.235"; 44,500 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	4076
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.235"; 56,800 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	3740
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.235"; 44,500 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	4054
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.235"; 56,700 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	3695
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.235"; 45,900 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	3979
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.235; 56,600 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	Hodgdon	H-4198	Subscribe	3789
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.235"; 45,100 psi
30	Berger FB VAR	Hodgdon	H-4198	Subscribe	4073
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.235"; 56,300 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-4166	Subscribe	3589
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 47,500 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	CFE 223	Subscribe	3826
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 45,400 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-4166	Subscribe	3881
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.250"; 57,400 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	CFE 223	Subscribe	4091
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 55,000 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3557
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 38,300 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3798
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.250"; 47,400 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	3772
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 43,000 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	4081
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 55,500 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-4895	Subscribe	3627
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 40,500 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-4895	Subscribe	3949
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.250"; 51,900 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	3703
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 40,600 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	4044
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 54,800 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3669
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 40,500 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3980
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.250"; 51,100 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	3917
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 47,500 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	4130
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 56,500 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	3770
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 45,500 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	4047
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 57,100 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	3826
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 48,300 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	4030
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 56,400 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	3725
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 42,700 psi
32	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	4006
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 55,400 psi
35	Berger HP	IMR	IMR-4166	Subscribe	3447
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.240"; 46,300 psi
35	Berger HP	Hodgdon	CFE 223	Subscribe	3695
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.240"; 44,500 psi
35	Berger HP	IMR	IMR-4166	Subscribe	3767
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.240"; 57,300 psi
35	Berger HP	Hodgdon	CFE 223	Subscribe	3991
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.240"; 55,600 psi
35	Berger HP	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3705
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.240"; 48,300 psi
35	Berger HP	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3812
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.240"; 53,100 psi
35	Berger HP	IMR	IMR-4064	Subscribe	3444
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.240"; 40,000 psi
35	Berger HP	IMR	IMR-4064	Subscribe	3728
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.240"; 51,000 psi
35	Berger HP	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	3734
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.240"; 47,200 psi
35	Berger HP	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	3937
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.240"; 54,900 psi
35	Berger HP	IMR	IMR-4895	Subscribe	3550
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.240"; 43,300 psi
35	Berger HP	IMR	IMR-4895	Subscribe	3864
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.240"; 55,500 psi
35	Berger HP	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	3665
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.240"; 45,400 psi
35	Berger HP	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	3915
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.240"; 56,600 psi
35	Berger HP	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3576
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.240"; 42,200 psi
35	Berger HP	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3910
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.240"; 55,700 psi
35	Berger HP	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	3830
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.240"; 50,700 psi
35	Berger HP	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	3961
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.240"; 56,300 psi
35	Berger HP	IMR	IMR-3031	Subscribe	3602
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.240"; 44,400 psi
35	Berger HP	IMR	IMR-3031	Subscribe	3793
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.240"; 52,800 psi
35	Berger HP	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	3590
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.240"; 44,100 psi
35	Berger HP	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	3863
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.240"; 56,600 psi
35	Berger HP	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	3586
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.240"; 45,600 psi
35	Berger HP	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	3828
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.240"; 55,400 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-4166	Subscribe	3314
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 48,000 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	CFE 223	Subscribe	3518
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 46,500 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-4166	Subscribe	3578
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 57,300 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	CFE 223	Subscribe	3769
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 56,700 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3395
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 44,100 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3647
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.250"; 55,100 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-4064	Subscribe	3379
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 43,600 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-4064	Subscribe	3616
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.250"; 52,000 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	3569
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 47,300 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	3774
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 56,200 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-4895	Subscribe	3415
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 44,700 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-4895	Subscribe	3695
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.250"; 56,000 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	3508
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 47,300 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	3738
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 56,700 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3500
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 45,500 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3741
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.250"; 56,000 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	3586
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 48,300 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	3754
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 56,300 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-3031	Subscribe	3456
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 46,300 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-3031	Subscribe	3694
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.250"; 56,600 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	3419
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 45,200 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	3646
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 55,400 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	3319
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.250"; 41,500 psi
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	3639
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.250"; 55,900 psi
50	Berger HPBT	IMR	IMR-4166	Subscribe	3007
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.300"; 47,800 psi
50	Berger HPBT	Hodgdon	CFE 223	Subscribe	3279
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.300"; 54,400 psi
50	Berger HPBT	IMR	IMR-4166	Subscribe	3237
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.300"; 57,300 psi
50	Berger HPBT	Hodgdon	CFE 223	Subscribe	3370
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.300"; 55,700 psi
50	Berger HPBT	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3071
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.300"; 44,900 psi
50	Berger HPBT	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3287
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.300"; 55,200 psi
50	Berger HPBT	IMR	IMR-4064	Subscribe	3079
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.300"; 44,900 psi
50	Berger HPBT	IMR	IMR-4064	Subscribe	3330
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.300"; 55,800 psi
50	Berger HPBT	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	3089
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.300"; 42,900 psi
50	Berger HPBT	Hodgdon	BL-C(2)	Subscribe	3334
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.300"; 54,500 psi
50	Berger HPBT	IMR	IMR-4895	Subscribe	3092
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.300"; 45,400 psi
50	Berger HPBT	IMR	IMR-4895	Subscribe	3344
Remarks: compressed; max load; COL: 2.300"; 56,000 psi
50	Berger HPBT	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	3039
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.300"; 43,700 psi
50	Berger HPBT	Hodgdon	H-335	Subscribe	3268
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.300"; 54,700 psi
50	Berger HPBT	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3167
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.300"; 46,900 psi
50	Berger HPBT	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3352
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.300"; 56,000 psi
50	Berger HPBT	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	3129
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.300"; 47,800 psi
50	Berger HPBT	IMR	IMR-8208 XBR	Subscribe	3327
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.300"; 56,100 psi
50	Berger HPBT	IMR	IMR-3031	Subscribe	3046
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.300"; 44,500 psi
50	Berger HPBT	IMR	IMR-3031	Subscribe	3284
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.300"; 55,100 psi
50	Berger HPBT	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	3110
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.300"; 47,800 psi
50	Berger HPBT	Hodgdon	Benchmark	Subscribe	3256
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.300"; 54,300 psi
50	Berger HPBT	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	3105
Remarks: start load; COL: 2.300"; 48,300 psi
50	Berger HPBT	Hodgdon	H-322	Subscribe	3252
Remarks: max load; COL: 2.300"; 55,100 psi