Well it looks like I need to get the VLD chamfer tool. I did get the CRT 34gr, 37gr, and 40gr bullets loaded in various .5 grain powder ranges of IMR 8208. I'll just find out which bullet my Tikka likes best then make the order. I'll bet the guys that reload .17 caliber have to use their fly tying O...

Thanks Brad, I have an RCBS tool that trims the outside and deburrs the inside of the neck but as a novice reloader, I'm a bit leary about removing any significant amount of brass - albeit it's probably a normal procedure. I'm thinking first I might try taking some 3/16" ID silicone tubing, cut...

All of the calibers that I load have some form of chamfer/boat tail on the base and I've never had an issue loading the bullets. I received some samples of CRT's flat base bullets and had a heck of a time getting them into the seater. Here's some that didn't quite make it, is there a secret to loadi...

I would think (3) of each bullet in .5 grain increments of something like 25.0-25.5-26.0 grains of H4895 ought to show me enough as to which one to order several boxes of. I can tweak later, just want to see which one my Tikka takes a liking to first.

bow shot wrote:FWIW, the 40 gr Bergers shot very well for me in both a bolt and an AR. 1" @300 if I was shooting well (always a bipod and rear bag) and about 1.5" when I wasn't too sharp.

My favorite shop no longer carries them. rats.

1" groups at 300 yards? That's pretty good!

I was wondering if anyone could sell me about (10) each or so of the CRT 37gr and 40gr flat base bullets? They're shipping is $9 for a box of 100 so I'd like to find out which one my Tikka likes first and then buy several boxes to defray the shipping costs per 100. Thanks.

I contacted CRT and their 37gr bullets are on backorder. And after looking at their photos online and seeing the flat base design, I can't help but think these will allow for more bullet contact in the case neck - and with a fairly short case neck already, the .204 can use all the contact it can get...

I was at Cabelas this afternoon and looked at the Berger 40gr BT - it's not for me. The width of the boat tail chamfer is the widest I've seen on a bullet. Then I looked at the Berger 35gr FB and really liked that one but Berger recommends a 14" twist for that one and my Tikka has a 12" tw...

I was on another forum earlier and found similar comments about the Berger 40gr accuracy. Some noted they suspect the lengthy boatail reduces the available bullet contact in the case neck. The Blitzkings have a much shorter chamfer that allows for a greater contact surface. If the Berger has a .100&...

I tried the 40gr Berger BTHPs using both Reloder 10X and 8208XBR and was disappointed with the results. I got much tighter groups using 40gr Vmaxs or 39 gr BlitzKings. Whoa - I loaded some 39gr SBK and thought they grouped better than the 32gr Noslers. Howver, the rest I was using at the time wasn'...

The pictures I've seen online of these bullets look like thay have a small hollow point at the tip - like a Barnes Grenade. But their description list them as "Varmint BT" - I just want to make sure these actually have hollow tips and not ploymer tips before I order. Thanks. (Dang - these ...

I bought a T3 Lite in .204 at Cabelas here in Michigan this past spring - something like a $100 off. This is a little tack driver . . . tpcollins: I have a T3 lite but have not got to shoot it yet. What are you having the best luck with?[/quote] I loaded up some 32gr Noslers and 39gr SBK last summe...

Thanks bow shot, actually I forgot to mention I was shooting the Horrnady factory ammo that boasts a 4225 fps - but with my 22 7/16" barrel, I can only average the 3850s. I was shooting some 32gr Noslers and 39gr BKs I had loaded this past summer at target dots spread out in a row and managed t...

I went this morning to empty my muzzleloader and had the target set a 200 yards to see how it shot - I wasn't impressed. But I took my Tikka T3 .204 with me since I had only shot it at 100 yards. I was using a short bipod and rear bunny bag off the back of my tailgate. Although an 1 1/2" low an...

I bought one last spring on sale at Cabelas - haven't shot it alot but plan to get back into coyote hunting after Christmas. I wound up putting a Sightron II Big Sky 6-24x42mm with AO to shoots chucks in the summer. I've reloaded some 39gr SBK but never got back to the range. I was getting about 380...