Savage 204 range report.... Feedback please

[Immortal]

Well guys I finally got some loads worked up for my Savage LRPV and so far it looks real promising.

All loads were with 39gr. Sierra BK's,CCI 450 primers. COL is 2.885 for all loads. Three different powders,varying powder charges. I was also able to chrony them also. All were shot at 100 yard target.

The wind was blowing/swirling between 5-10 mph. so I'm hoping that was the cause of some of the fliers.

First is the IMR8208XBR. 4 shot groups.

26.2gr.- 3606,3633,3683,3593
26.6gr.- 3714,3683,3683,3703
26.9gr.- 3724,3755,3777,3745
27.2gr.- 3798,3798,3787,3831
27.5gr.- 3842,3875,3831,3875



Next is H4895. 4 shot groups except 27.9gr. and 28.2gr. They are 5 shot groups.

26.2gr.-3410,3508,3518,3546
26.5gr.- 3633,3663,3663,3642
26.9gr.- 3714,3703,3663,3714
27.2gr.- 3724,3755,3714,3714
27.5gr.- 3831,3842,3724,3820
27.9gr.- 3853,3831,3809,3787,3842
28.2gr.- 3887,3864,3887,3910



Next is CFE 223. 4 shot groups.

27.0gr.- 3472,3436,3427,3418
27.5gr.- 3490,3536,3603,3508
28.0gr.- 3518,3603,3603,3613
28.5gr.- 3652,3703,3673,3703
29.0gr.- 3798,3787,3766,3787




I see a few that look good but don't really know which I should concentrate on. Any feedback or advice is appreciated.

Dave

[Glen]

Personally I would load more from the IMR target. The last 3 loads to be exact. Shoot a couple 5 shot groups of each of those & then decide from there. Maybe the flyer in 2 of those groups was a technical error. Maybe not. The 27.2gr load should serve you well as long as you can repeat your original group. But it looks like you have 3 great prospects right there.

[rogina]

those groups show some promise, but I always try R10 in every 204 ruger I have owned. It has proven to be very accurate in most. Between
24 and 25.5 grains with the 39 grain Blitzking, start low because some lots are faster the others. use your chronograph to get upto 3750 to
3800 fps. Rogina

[HeadLever]

Yeah, I would bracket the last 3 loads from the IMR test and break them into 0.2 grain increments and repeat. Looks like you are showing some pretty good closure of your groups between 26.9 and 27.5, depending upon the nature of those couple of fliers.

Keep us up to date

[Immortal]

Thanks for the replies guys.I'm also leaning towards the IMR loads. I have some Reloader 10 and will give it a try. My Sabre 204 did not like Reloader at all.

I will keep you guys posted.

Dave

[acloco]

How are you controlling neck tension?

What I see in those groups (very good, by the way)....is neck tension is raising it's head.....hence, the occasional flyer.

[Jim White]

I agree with Glen, you need to be able to repeat those tight groups. Also, to allow for varances, I would check the loads with a +/- .1 grain. In other words, if 27.2 grains is the load that repeats, check the grouping @ 27.1 & 27.3 grains to make sure the group stays tight. Many times, a .1 grain change makes a difference in a 204.

HTH

[Immortal]

How are you controlling neck tension?

What I see in those groups (very good, by the way)....is neck tension is raising it's head.....hence, the occasional flyer.

Thanks acloco. I do not anneal my brass and I can tell a difference when I'm seating my bullets. What is the best way to control neck tension?

Dave

[Immortal]

I agree with Glen, you need to be able to repeat those tight groups. Also, to allow for varances, I would check the loads with a +/- .1 grain. In other words, if 27.2 grains is the load that repeats, check the grouping @ 27.1 & 27.3 grains to make sure the group stays tight. Many times, a .1 grain change makes a difference in a 204.

HTH

Hoping to get to the range this Saturday and try and duplicate those loads that show promise. Going to concentrate on the IMR powder but want to try the 27.2gr. of H4895 again. three shots in one hole with the flier. Not sure if that was me,the wind,or neck tension but it's worth trying it one more time.

Thanks again fellas.

[sharps45-120]

Immortal, I have a question, Do you weigh each charge on a Beam Balance Scale or are you using an Electronic Scale? I hope you are using a Beam Balance Scale as it will allow for much tighter groups than an Electronic Dispenser / Scale combo. I have both but I cannot rely on the Electronic one to be Tack Driving Accurate.

[Immortal]

Immortal, I have a question, Do you weigh each charge on a Beam Balance Scale or are you using an Electronic Scale? I hope you are using a Beam Balance Scale as it will allow for much tighter groups than an Electronic Dispenser / Scale combo. I have both but I cannot rely on the Electronic one to be Tack Driving Accurate.

Sharps I use an electronic dumper/scale for loading. RCBS 1500 to be exact.

Dave

[acloco]

How are you controlling neck tension?

What I see in those groups (very good, by the way)....is neck tension is raising it's head.....hence, the occasional flyer.

Thanks acloco. I do not anneal my brass and I can tell a difference when I'm seating my bullets. What is the best way to control neck tension?

Dave

Black magic....patience....


I turn most of my necks, at least lightly, even if the chamber is not a "tight neck" chamber. The idea is to achieve the same neck tension, then work on bullet seating depth & powder charges.

...and runout - get the runout down to as near to zero as possible.

There is not any one way to achieve this....so play around and see what you can do.

[Immortal]

How are you controlling neck tension?

What I see in those groups (very good, by the way)....is neck tension is raising it's head.....hence, the occasional flyer.

Thanks acloco. I do not anneal my brass and I can tell a difference when I'm seating my bullets. What is the best way to control neck tension?

Dave

Black magic....patience....


I turn most of my necks, at least lightly, even if the chamber is not a "tight neck" chamber. The idea is to achieve the same neck tension, then work on bullet seating depth & powder charges.

...and runout - get the runout down to as near to zero as possible.

There is not any one way to achieve this....so play around and see what you can do.

Your talking greek to me!!lol I have not been reloading very long.

[Immortal]

How are you controlling neck tension?

What I see in those groups (very good, by the way)....is neck tension is raising it's head.....hence, the occasional flyer.

Thanks acloco. I do not anneal my brass and I can tell a difference when I'm seating my bullets. What is the best way to control neck tension?

Dave

Black magic....patience....


I turn most of my necks, at least lightly, even if the chamber is not a "tight neck" chamber. The idea is to achieve the same neck tension, then work on bullet seating depth & powder charges.

...and runout - get the runout down to as near to zero as possible.

There is not any one way to achieve this....so play around and see what you can do.

BTW,what do you mean by getting the runout as near to zero as possible. Sorry for the dumb question.

Dave

[Jim White]

Dave...run out is basically getting the bullet as straight as possible into the case neck. If you can imagine; take a loaded round and roll it across the table and as it rolls you see the bullet wobble. There are several culprits that can cause it;

1. Reloading equipment
2. Reloading Techniques
3. Case neck thickness is not uniformed
4. Chamber issues

Ideally <.003 is what you're looking for. You need a run-out tool measure this. When everything is all lined up .000-.001 is quite common [well, for me it is...].

Neck tension is how tight the neck squeezes the bullet. The way to control it is using a neck bushing sizer and having uniform case necks. Keep in mind, different lots of brass could have different neck wall thicknesses requiring a different size bushing or neck turning to uniform them all.

In the end, regarding the round, the case is the foundation, the ore uniform they are the better the loads will be...all other things being equal.

HTH